Rebel boss Cuthbert set to recall Cussen

Michael Cussen is likely to be one of the players included in the Cork senior football squad for the McGrath Cup, which begins in January.

As beaten All-Ireland quarter-finalists, Cork can engage in collective training again on December 8. To this end, manager Brian Cuthbert has called up a number of players with a view to evaluating them in the pre-season competition.

“There are 10 or 12 guys that we’re hoping to have a look at by using them in the McGrath Cup,” he said.

“If they play well there, then they’ll be in contention moving forward and Michael is one of those in that bracket. Right now, it’s a very fluid thing and we’ll be looking at different guys over the next while.”

Glanmire clubman Cussen played football for Cork from 2007 until the end of 2009 before opting to focus on hurling for the county. He didn’t feature on Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s panel during the 2014 season, however.

Others likely to be included on the training panel are minor star Cian Kiely, who starred at wing-back as Ballincollig won a first-ever Cork SFC title. His team-mate, midfielder Ciarán O’Sullivan, isn’t on the panel currently but he is likely to be monitored during the Munster club championship.

Another half-back, Pádraig Hodnett of beaten county finalists Carbery Rangers, has also been included but full-back Brian Shanahan has been ruled out as he is now based in Dublin.

With former dual player Aidan Walsh having opted to play hurling in 2015, Cuthbert will soon meet Eoin Cadogan and Damien Cahalane to discuss their intentions in the coming year. Cadogan’s brother Alan, who shone in his debut season at senior hurling level, is also on the Cork football management’s radar.

As yet, however, no contact has been made with regard to bringing the Douglas man onto the panel.