O’Neill’s winter warmer for Cork

TEN MONTHS after hobbling off in Pearse Stadium with a snapped cruciate ligament for the second time in his career, Colm O’Neill announced his return to the inter-county senior stage in style yesterday in Páirc Uí Rinn.

The 23 year-old achieved his primary objective of emerging unscathed from the 70 minutes of action in this McGrath Cup quarter-final. And as a bonus he illuminated a humdrum clash with a 2-4 haul.

His second goal in the 61st minute copper-fastened Cork’s triumph and was a signature effort. A flowing team move from deep in defence had carved open the Clare rearguard before O’Neill stepped inside the defence and thumped a fierce right-foot shot to the roof of the net.