Ó hAilpín: my career was over if Rebel dispute wasn’t solved

CORK hurler Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has said that he and other senior players were resigned to ending their careers during the long-running dispute between the Cork County Board and its senior hurling and football panels.

Following the resolution of the dispute on Monday night, Ó hAilpín admitted it would have been difficult to return in 2009 if Cork hadn’t participated in the 2008 season.

“I think the players were resigned to the fact that the year was a write-off if this wasn’t resolved, and for the older lads like me, we were looking at our careers gone. If I missed a year I’d be trying to pick it up at 32 years of age. Thankfully it’s been resolved.