O’Connor will be fit to face Kerry

THE Cork football management last night moved to allay fears midfielder Alan O’Connor could be an injury doubt for their All-Ireland football final showdown with Kerry in three weeks time.

O’Connor, who has been a key performer in Cork’s march to the decider, sustained a knee injury last week that prevented him from lining out for Carbery in their Evening Echo Cork SFC semi-final defeat by St Finbarr’s on Sunday night.

O’Connor’s absence hampered Carbery’s hopes of success but Cork selector Ger O’Sullivan is adamant the St Colum’s man will be fit for the September 20th clash in Croke Park.

“Alan did pick up a knee injury last week and obviously he wasn’t able to play for Carbery on Sunday.

“But it’s only a slight problem and at this stage, it doesn’t look like it’s going to affect him for the Kerry match.

“He wasn’t involved in training with us last week, like all the other players who had club commitments.

“But we’ll have a full panel back involved from tonight on and we’ll have a better idea of where Alan is at over the next couple of days.”

O’Sullivan also revealed all of Cork’s other panel members involved in club championship action over the weekend emerged unscathed.

Nicholas Murphy and Noel O’Leary were in opposition in Sunday’s Cork IFC final between Carrigaline and Cill na Martra, while Michael Cussen lined out Glanmire in their PIFC quarter-final victory against Ballinora.

On Sunday night Graham Canty, Michael Shields and Noel O’Donovan featured in the Cork SFC semi-final double-header in Páirc Uí Rinn.

“All the lads seem to be okay after their weekend matches. I know Nicholas and Noel have a few knocks and bruises after their county final on Sunday, but neither have anything too serious.

“All the club games are done with now and it’s full steam ahead for us for the Kerry game.”