Ronan ruled out for up to month

Cork hurler Neil Ronan had an x-ray examination today to determine the extent of a thumb injury sustained early in the league semi-final defeat by Waterford at Semple Stadium yesterday.

The initial prognosis was that he had dislocated it but there are fears that the damage could be a bit more serious and that it could be broken.

“The X-ray today will tell us the full extent of the injury and the likelihood is that he will be out for three to four weeks,’’ Cork team doctor Con Murphy told the Evening Echo newspaper today.

“We’ll know more later but I would think that he should be okay for the championship match with Clare on May 27.”

In relation to other injuries on the team which prevented Joe Deane, Timmy McCarthy and Cian O’Connor from lining out yesterday, Dr Murphy stated that all three should be okay sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Cork team boss Gerald McCarthy said that he was disappointed to lose to Waterford but overall felt the campaign had been satisfying.

“We were quite pleased with the way our lads fought. The odds were possibly stacked against us today with the injuries we had prior to the game and Neil Ronan’s injury with the first ball he got.

“We are disappointed but you would have to say Waterford put in a superb effort.”

“Overall, I would say that the campaign has been satisfying. We introduced newcomers with some shaping up well.

“Others have a bit to do yet obviously from today’s performance but we fought very well in the second half.”

The Cork management will sit down now shortly to reflect on the campaign which saw them win four group games and lose twice to Waterford.

The next item on their agenda will be a championship squad, and it’s likely that challenge games will be arranged.

It is expected that a management meeting will be held on Thursday night.

Of course the players will be spending more time with their clubs as they gear up for the county championships on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

A number of players will be monitored closely, in particular Kieran ‘Fraggie Murphy’ and Paudie O’Sullivan and Cian O’Connor.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.