Ó hAilpín: I’d play for new boss

SEÁN ÓG Ó hAILPÍN says he’d be willing to return to the Cork hurling panel but not while current manager Denis Walsh is in charge.

Walsh controversially axed the 33-year-old from his panel in October of last year, bringing to an end a senior inter-county career that stretched back to 1996.

Ó hAilpín has continued to line out for his club Na Piarsaigh and played in last weekend’s defeat to Douglas.

“If I was asked would I get involved this year, no. It’s as simple as that. Not under the current management. If a new manager was to come in next year and if he was still interested, then yes, I’d be very open to it, but not under the current management.

“If a manager tells you you’re not part of his plans, that’s it. There’s no point being in a place if you’re not wanted. “I’m still hurt by the manner in which it was dealt with. I thought it could have been dealt with a lot better but it’s water under the bridge, it’s happened.”

Ó hAilpín feels he still has something to offer to Cork, adding: “I had serious ambitions of being involved for another year or two. I’d know myself if my days were up. Obviously I didn’t have the most sterling year last year but I thought I did okay and thought I made a contribution.

“If I wasn’t being given first-team place, I’d love to have been given the chance to win a first-team place back.”

Ó hAilpín was speaking to Cork’s Life FM as part of a fundraiser in aid of the Simon Community.