O’Neill: It’s great to get all-clear

Cork star Colm O’Neill admits that, while he is happy to have received the all-clear from surgeon Tadhg O’Sullivan, he still doesn’t have a set return date pencilled in.

O’Neill has been out of action since suffering a third cruciate ligament injury in March, but yesterday he tweeted a picture of Whitfield Clinic, where O’Sullivan is based, expressing delight that he wouldn’t have to visit it anymore.

“There were scheduled check-ups after a month and three months and six months,” he said. “It’s actually seven months since the injury now... it’s great to get the all-clear.”

The attacker remains focused on his rehabilitation with physio Colin Lane, and has no intention of rushing things. “I still don’t have a return date planned as I’m a bit off a return to full training,” he said.

“I still have to do physio three or four times a week, everybody’s happy how it’s progressing but it’s still up to Colin to decide when I’m ready.

“There are still probably four or five months of rehab ahead. It’s a big milestone not having to visit Tadhg anymore. It’s a relief, but this is just a step on the way, you could say the real work is only starting.”

Meanwhile, Youghal say that they have no problems with the Munster Council decision to schedule Sunday’s IHC Club clash with neighbours, Waterford’s Ardmore, for Páirc Uí Rinn. Youghal did have home advantage, but with fears with regard to the weather later this week, club secretary Alan Hennessy said that they were happy to travel to Cork.

“The forecast is bad, and it was felt Páirc Uí Rinn would be a better venue for the teams and patrons.

“We have won two trophies [Cork IHC and league Division 1 title] there recently so we’re happy. It might be a bit disappointing for the locals and the people in west Waterford, but if the weather was bad then our pitch at Copper Alley wouldn’t be playable.”