Cusack departs Cork league panel

The break-up of Cork hurling’s old guard continues apace with goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack’s surprise departure from the Cork set-up for the forthcoming Allianz Hurling League.

Though manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy indicated yesterday that the door remains open for Cusack’s return, it looks unlikely that a player in such a specialised position could be considered for a championship place with no league games under his belt.

Cusack, one of the strongest personalities in the Cork dressing room for more than 10 years and internationally known since revealing his homosexuality in his award-winning autobiography, had indicated his willingness to challenge incumbent Anthony Nash for the goalkeeper’s jersey this season.