Ó hAilpín can still do a job for Rebels, claims Curran

RONAN CURRAN believes Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has a role to play with the Cork senior hurlers and that his former teammate would be a positive influence in a dressing room where the age profile is set to drop significantly.

Whether Ó hAilpín features under new manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy is another story entirely. The Na Piarsaigh defender was relieved of his duties with the county side by outgoing manager Denis Walsh prior to last season but Ó hAilpín has hinted he would return if asked by another bainisteoir.

“Seán Óg is the supreme athlete,” said Curran yesterday at the launch of the GAA’s Club Support Programme. “He’s never going to be out of shape and he has a fierce drive for the game. I don’t know what Seán Óg’s thoughts are or if Jimmy has been in contact with him or whatever but he certainly can add something to the whole thing, even if it’s the young fellas watching him train because, to be fair, he’s an unbelievable athlete and he’s very professional in everything he does so that can only be good for Cork.”