Paudie won’t make replay

Cork boss Jimmy Barry-Murphy has poured cold water on hopes Paudie O’Sullivan could be in line for a sensational return for the All-Ireland SHC replay.

O’Sullivan broke the fibula and tibia in his right leg while playing for Imokilly in a Cork senior hurling championship game in late April. The Cloyne man has undertaken a punishing rehab programme in a bid to return to action, but the Cork boss admitted the extra few weeks will not be enough for the attacker.

Barry-Murphy said: “I don’t think it’s realistic. We thought at one stage a few weeks ago that it was but it is going to come too soon for him.”

Patrick Horgan admitted he was “gutted” for O’Sullivan. “He’s always there for us, every training session. It’s probably going to come too soon — he broke his leg only a few months ago. I’d say any time this year will be too soon. We are gutted but he wants us to win more than anyone else.”