All-Ireland dream over for injured O’Callaghan

JONATHAN O’Callaghan’s involvement in the All-Ireland SHC final against Kilkenny is over.

The Castletownroche youngster will undergo an operation to repair a broken cheek bone sustained in training with Cork on Sunday in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

O’Callaghan is bitterly disappointed at missing out on the big game but said: “these things happen in hurling. I’ll just have to get over it.”

It’s a devastating blow for a player who had made the jump from the intermediate grade with ease and, according to selector John Allen, he will be a huge loss to Cork.

“Jonathan has fitted into the group like a glove and is a very popular member of the squad,” said Allen.

“It’s particularly rough on a player in his first year to miss out on such a big game. From his contributions all season there was every likelihood that he would have played a part in the final. He’s a natural scoring forward and we’ll have to revise our plans for the final as a consequence.”

After an outstanding season with the intermediate team last year, during which he played a key role in Cork’s thrilling one point victory over Kilkenny in the final, O’Callaghan was drafted onto the senior panel at the beginning of this season.

He played in all rounds of the NHL and made his championship debut against Kerry in round one and also started against Limerick in the semi-final. He subsequently lost his place for the final against Waterford but came on in the two games against Antrim and Wexford and made significant contributions.

In the full scale A v B game, O’Callaghan took Ben O’Connor’s place on team A, with O’Connor rested. Pat Mulcahy played at full-back on team B, while Cian O’Connor and John Gardiner lined out on team A and B, respectively.

Apart from O’Callaghan’s unfortunate injury, Cork have no other serious injury worries.

John Gardiner, who missed out on the semi-final win over Wexford because of a hand injury, is full recovered and came through Sunday’s practice game unscathed.