Miskella proving Cork’s biggest injury worry

JOHN MISKELLA is Cork’s biggest injury concern after Sunday’s league final win over Dublin, but will have to wait to assess the extent of the back problem he sustained in the Croke Park clash.

Miskella has had difficulties with his back in the past and was withdrawn from his centre-back role before half-time.

The Ballincollig man was one of three Cork players that were forced off through injury in a nine-minute first-half spell. Wing-forward Fintan Goold suffered an ankle injury when fouled by Dublin defender Ger Brennan, while corner-forward Paul Kerrigan aggravated a hamstring injury that he incurred during a club league game with Nemo Rangers last weekend.

Both attackers will also discover in the coming few days the length of time they are likely to face on the sidelines.

Cork are not out in competitive action again until May 22 when they commence their Munster championship campaign against Clare in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Manager Conor Counihan will be able to welcome back Eoin Cadogan from suspension for that game.

But he now has fresh concerns over Miskella, Kerrigan and Goold, while Aidan Walsh, Alan Quirke, Graham Canty and Anthony Lynch all missed out on Sunday’s final win through injury.

The Cork squad are now set to return to their clubs with a full round of Cork championship games down for decision in a fortnight’s time.

Meanwhile, Dublin duo Bernard Brogan and Brian Cullen are set to face three weeks out of action following injuries they picked up in Sunday’s match.

Brogan sustained a hamstring problem which forced him off while Cullen picked up a knock to his knee. Both players availability for club championship games with St Oliver Plunkett’s-Eoghan Ruadh and Skerries Harps is now in doubt.

Yet they will both have recovered in time for Dublin’s Leinster championship opener against Laois or Longford in Croke Park on June 5.