Counihan hails departing duo

CORK boss Conor Counihan believes the decision of John Hayes and Kieran O’Connor to opt out of the Rebels football setup is indicative of “the enormous sacrifices” now required to compete at inter-county senior level.

Carbery Rangers attacker Hayes and Aghada defender O’Connor both informed Counihan at the end of last week that they had decided to walk away from the county team and it follows the departure of goalkeeper Paddy O’Shea and Hayes clubmate Kevin McMahon earlier this month.

“It’s a difficult place to be as senior county players on the fringes of a panel. That’s the way it’s going and it just shows the enormous sacrifices that need to be made to play at this level,” he said.