Sitting on a couple of stacked pews in Cusack Park’s covered stand tunnel, John Conlon and Niall Corcoran shot the breeze.

They were back on familiar ground last Saturday. On a chilly evening in Sixmilebridge, Gavin O’Mahony and John Conlon were launched into Waterford Crystal Cup action as substitutes under floodlights at the East Clare venue.

THEY are used to focusing on O’Byrne Cup and Waterford Crystal Cup action in January but five GAA inter-county stars are getting set for a pre-season game with a twist next week when they play in front of 20,000 Ethiopians.

Sligo midfielder Eamonn O'Hara will not be taking part in next month's International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia.