O’Connor, Carey and Hayes in Cork panel

Alan O’Connor, Ray Carey and John Hayes have made themselves available to the Cork footballers for the 2014 season.

The trio have been included in a 31-strong panel, which includes six U21 players including Eoin Cadogan’s brother Alan and Dan MacEoin who featured in this year’s Munster winning forward line.

There had been speculation midfielder O’Connor would step aside but the 2010 All-Ireland winner is part of Brian Cuthbert’s plans. Carey, a starter against Down in the All-Ireland final three years ago, was not part of the Cork squad last year while Hayes hasn’t been part of the county set-up since early 2011. As they exited this year’s Championship in August, Cork are permitted to return to collective training on December 8. However, as a new manager Cuthbert is permitted to organise trials providing members of the 2012 panel are not involved.