Brian Murphy exits Cork hurling fold

The Cork hurlers must plan without long-standing defender Brian Murphy, as the Bride Rovers man has stepped down from inter-county activity.

Murphy, 33, won the Young Hurler of the Year award in his debut season back in 2004, and has two All-Ireland medals, won in 2004 and 2005.

He retired initially from intercounty hurling in March 2014 but was coaxed out of retirement last May and rejoined the Rebel side as they eventually went out to Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

His departure removes new Cork boss Kieran Kingston of one of the most experienced defenders in the county and the remaining playing link with Cork’s last All-Ireland senior hurling title, won 11 years ago.

Meanwhile Cork will be without newcomer Conor Twomey for at least two weeks, after the Newtownshandrum defender picked up a suspected mild concussion on Sunday.

Twomey was substituted late on in the Rebels’ Munster senior hurling league defeat to Clare in Sixmilebridge, and will sit out the next fortnight as a precaution.