Miskella set for Rebel return

JOHN MISKELLA is in line to make his first appearance for the Cork senior footballers since last year’s All-Ireland final in Sunday’s Allianz Football League Division 1 tie against Mayo.

The Ballincollig defender has been recovering from injury in the early months of this season but is set to be part of the squad that travel to Castlebar for the clash in McHale Park.

Manager Conor Counihan is also likely to be able to call on attacker Paul Kerrigan for the first time this year as club commitments with Nemo Rangers have delayed his 2011 inter-county senior return.

The availability of that duo is a boost to Cork’s plans but is offset by the absence of other key players.

Defenders Anthony Lynch and Graham Canty continue to battleinjury problems while Paudie Kissane (hamstring) and Colm O’Neill (knee) are fresh injury concerns after incurring knocks in recent club and county games.

Patrick Kelly and Donncha O’Connor are troubled by hamstring and groin injuries respectively yet it is understood they are recovering well and could still be in the frame for the weekend.

Dual star Eoin Cadogan is available for Cork despite the county hurlers also being in action this weekend in the south-east against Wexford but Aidan Walsh and Ciaran Sheehan remain marked absent as they focus on Wednesday’s Munster U21FC final between Cork and Kerry.