Injury crisis hits Rebels as Dublin loom

Cork face an injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21FC semi-final against Dublin in Portlaoise with five of the starting side for last week’s provincial final success over Kerry facing a race to be fit for the O’Moore Park clash.

Centre-back Tom Clancy is the most serious doubt after being forced off in that Munster decider in Tralee with a calf injury.

Wing-back Jamie Wall and corner-forward Donal Óg Hodnett are both battling knee injuries they also incurred in that clash. While in a further blow to Cork, full-back Damian Cahalane and midfielder Rory Deane are concerns after suffering knee and groin injuries, respectively, in last Sunday’s West Cork U21 football final.

“We have a number of concerns and it’s probably not going to be until tomorrow night that we’re fully aware of the situation,” says Cork boss John Cleary.

“We got together on Monday night and there were eight or nine fellas not able to train as they’d matches over the weekend. They are playing a lot of games and it’s not easy. We have five main injury problems and they’ll continue to receive treatment before the game.”

Cleary has also questioned the venue for Saturday’s match, claiming it is “unfair” on Cork supporters, who have to travel greater distances than their Dublin counterparts to Portlaoise.

“It’s probably 160 miles from parts of West Cork, where clubs have players on the panel, to get to Portlaoise,” said Cleary. “It’s only about 60 miles down the road from Dublin. I don’t think it’s very fair Portlaoise was selected. But we’ve known since Monday and it’s not something we’re going to dwell on. It’s a pitch like any other.”