‘No quick fix’ for O’Sullivan after horror injury

Cork hurler Paudie O’Sullivan looks certain to miss the rest of the season after it was confirmed yesterday that he broke his fibula and tibia while playing for divisional side Imokilly against Cork IT on Tuesday.

O’Sullivan suffered the injury inside the opening 10 minutes after which the game was abandoned. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and is due to have an operation today.

“Operation unfortunately put off til 2 Moro, just want to say a sincere thank u to everyone for there kind wishes, I real appreciate them,” he tweeted yesterday.

His father Jerry, who was at the match, said it was an unfortunate accident when O’Sullivan turned to go after the sliotar.

“Paudie is due for an operation and we are not looking beyond that,” the Munster GAA vice-chairman said. “We don’t know how long the recovery will be. There is no quick fix for something like this.”

His absence will be a blow to Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy as the county prepares to meet the winners of the Clare v Waterford clash in the Munster SHC semi-final on June 23.

Cork selector Kieran Kingston said: “He is in good spirits, and the lads have been wishing him well. But our priority is his well being.

“From a hurling perspective, it is so disappointing for him. He is playing so well and having a great year and really enjoying his hurling. He has trained very hard. On his day, he is the most gifted forward in the country. It is so disappointing for a player of his calibre.”

The SHC tie between Imokilly and Cork IT has been re-fixed for tomorrow night at 7.30pm in Carrigtwohill.

Meanwhile, Cork selector Seanie McGrath expects forward Jamie Coughlan to be fit in time for the clash against Clare or Waterford. Coughlan, 21, underwent surgery on a hip injury in February and McGrath confirmed: “He should be available for selection. That’s what we’re targeting — June 23 — once there’s no recurrence and he’s on target.”

The other good news on the injury front for Cork is that defenders Stephen McDonnell and Shane O’Neill are back in training after missing the Allianz NHL Division 1A relegation playoff defeat to Clare.

McGrath added: “I won’t say it [relegation] bothers me but it’s very much about the here and now as far as we’re concerned.

“We got a three-year term — last year was ok and this year we did reasonably well in the league.

“Now, every single thing energy-wise is about the championship.

“We’ll worry about next year’s league in January 2014. Right now, we’re not worrying one iota about it.”