Gardiner could make shock return for U-21 clash with Clare

JOHN GARDINER could make a sensational return for tonight’s Erin Foods Munster under 21 championship against Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

The Cork selectors have left a vacancy at centre-back as they await a medical report on the county senior player who picked up a hand injury in training last Friday night.

Gardiner was ruled out of tonight’s game and was given little chance of being fit for the Munster senior final on June 27. However, the injury was not as bad as first feared and with the selectors keen to field their strongest team, they will wait until the last moment before making a decision.