Corcoran may make Cork comeback

FORMER two-times Texaco Hurler of the Year Brian Corcoran last night trained with the Cork senior side — two-and-a-half years after he retired from the game.

Corcoran, also a two-time Allstar, sensationally quit hurling after his club Erin’s Own were defeated by UCC in the Cork SHC of 2001. The dual star cited tiredness after almost a decade of playing both codes for club and county at all levels.

However, the 31-year-old, who won an All-Ireland SHC medal in 1999, was persuaded to make a return to club hurling prior to Christmas, which he duly did in January.

Since his comeback, Corcoran, who appears to have a renewed zest for the game, has played exclusively as a forward and has been a prolific point-scorer in a number of League, East Cork championship and challenge outings. Though not on the official Cork panel, he attended the session in an effort to measure his progress since his comeback, and will then decide if he can commit to the county cause once again.

Given the loss of Setanta Ó hAilpín to AFL club Carlton Blues, along with the injury sustained by Newtownshandrum defender Pat Mulcahy, the availability of Corcoran would be a welcome boost to Donal O’Grady and the Cork management team. Martin Bowen, manager of the Erin’s Own senior side said: “he has only played six matches but has already been inspirational. When he trains with the best, he will know where he stands.

“He was always a natural forward and starred with the club in the county final victory in 1992 when playing at centre forward.

“Hopefully, he won’t be rushed and people will give him a chance,” he added.