Key duo in fitness race ahead of Kerry clash

Cork manager Conor Counihan is sweating on the fitness of key duo Anthony Lynch and Alan O'Connor facing into Sunday's Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

The pair picked up injuries during the Rebels victory over Waterford in the opening round with midfielder O'Connor exiting Fraher Field on crutches as a precaution following an ankle injury.

"We still have concerns over a number of players primarily Alan O'Connor and Anthony Lynch," Counihan revealed.

The Rebels boss is rating the pair's chances at no more than 50-50 and will give them as much time as possible to prove their fitness and is hopeful the situation will improve before throw-in.

"I'd say probably 50-50 at this stage. We'll hopefully will know more later in the week.

He added: "We'll be hopeful up until the end anyway."

However O'Connor and Lynch are not the only Rebels on the treatment table with Diarmuid Duggan and Kevin O'Sullivan definitely out of the Cork managements plans as they finalise their team selection ahead of tomorrow's announcement.

"I suppose we still have some longer term ones like Diarmuid Duggan and Kevin O'Sullivan who won't be for consideration but look that's part and parcel of Championship football at this time of the year. You do tend to pick up a lot of injuries."

Counihan will name his Cork team tomorrow night, ahead of the game which has a 2pm throw-in on Sunday.