More Cork forward woe as Goulding out for six weeks

CORK football star Daniel Goulding has been ruled out for six weeks, raising serious doubts about his chances of playing for the county again this season.

Goulding sustained an injury to his right ankle on Saturday in the All-Ireland qualifier clash against Down in Croke Park, when he was withdrawn after 20 minutes.

The star forward, Man of the Match in last year’s All-Ireland final against Down, was subsequently brought for scans and examination to the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry, and doctors discovered that the tendon in his right ankle has come clear of the bone, a more serious injury than was first thought, and one which typically requires a six-week convalescence.

Goulding’s absence narrows the forward choices for Cork manager Conor Counihan still further, following the loss of Colm O’Neill before the season started to a cruciate ligament injury and the similar injury suffered by Ciarán Sheehan in the Munster final against Kerry in Killarney.

Earlier this season John Hayes and Kevin McMahon, who both won All-Ireland medals last year, opted out of the squad.

The injury to Goulding means Cork will face Connacht champions Mayo next Sunday without half the forward line which last year brought the county its first All-Ireland senior football title in two decades.

It also means that Fintan Goold is the only left-footed forward on the panel and he will probably take over the place-kicking duties on the right side of the pitch.

Promising U21 attacker Barry O’Driscoll is also out of the frame for the clash with Mayo due to a double fracture to the jaw sustained during the Down game.

The Nemo Rangers clubman came on for Goulding, ironically, but within minutes had shipped a heavy tackle and was forced off with Valley Rovers’ Fiachra Lynch replacing him before half-time.

Lynch is now in prime position to start in Goulding’s place.

Better news for the Rebels is that wing-back Noel O’Leary is expected to be fit for Sunday’s quarter-final. O’Leary had to receive attention to a head wound early in the game against Down but will be available for selection.