Rory O’Carroll loss a blow for Dublin

O’Byrne Cup - Wexford 2-6 Dublin 0-12: Dublin’s three-time All-Ireland winning full-back Rory O’Carroll will not be available to the defending champions this season as he will be working in New Zealand.

Although there was positive news for Jim Gavin with confirmation veteran midfielder Denis Bastick has committed for the year, the absence of 26-year-old O’Carroll is a knock to the county’s chances of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Sam Maguire Cups since Kerry in 2007.

Gavin announced O’Carroll’s departure following yesterday’s draw with Wexford in their O’Byrne Cup opener in Enniscorthy’s St Patrick’s Park. Revealing he was party to the defender’s plans for some time, Gavin remarked: “Rory has decided to move away during the 2016 season. He’s moving to New Zealand so he won’t be a part of the Dublin squad for 2016.