Rory O’Carroll: ‘I might never play for Dublin again’

Departing Dublin defender Rory O’Carroll has dropped the bombshell news that he may never play for his county again, admitting his break from the panel could last “six months or six years”.

The 26-year old three-time All-Ireland medallist informed managed Jim Gavin in late December that he and his girlfriend have secured 12-month visas to travel and work in New Zealand and that he won’t be available at all in 2016.

The assumption was that the current AllStar full-back would return in 2017 and slot back into the panel, similar to his seamless transitions after previous extended breaks away in 2009 and 2011.