Nolan: Colm will be back

CORK senior football selector Jim Nolan is confident Colm O’Neill can bounce back from his cruciate ligament injury and become a central part of the Rebels’ panel again.

The Ballyclough player was ruled out for the remainder of the season after scans on the injury sustained against Galway two weeks ago showed that he had damaged the ligament.

This is the second time he had this type of injury, having torn his cruciate ligament in 2008, but Nolan feels that he will overcome this setback once again.

“He’s the kind of guy that’s determined to make it. He works very hard and that’s something he has shown since he’s been on the panel. To be honest, when I saw him getting injured the first thing that crossed my mind was that it might have been the cruciate but after the first scan, we were hoping that it mightn’t have been as bad as that”, Nolan said.

“We’re disappointed from the point of view of the team, but more so for Colm himself. I’ve no doubt though, that having worked so hard to return the first time that he’ll do so again.”

The timing of the injury is unfortunate for O’Neill, given that he had enjoyed a solid start to the season in the red jersey. That he is now sidelined means that it gives attacking members of the panel, such as David Goold, Kevin O’Driscoll and Fiachra Lynch, a chance to stake their claims.

“Colm played a big part last year when he came off the bench in important games,” said Nolan.

“He was coming into form and making a big push for a starting place. It’s unfortunate for Colm, but it opens up avenues for other players. It can be a cruel sport, especially when it’s an amateur one.”