Miskella facing fitness race

Cork defender John Miskella is set to sit out the Rebels' entire National Football League campaign, with a persistent groin problem putting his participation in the early stages of the Championship in some doubt.

The All-Star half-back is facing a battle to prove his fitness before Cork's opening match of their Munster title defence against either Kerry or Tipperary on June 6.

The injury forced Miskella to miss Cork's opening two league games and on medical advice, he has been ruled out for the remainder of the Division 1 run.

The Ballincollig clubman was a key figure as Cork claimed Munster honours last year and qualified for the All-Ireland final.

However, he missed the decider against Kerry due to the suspension he picked up for striking Tyrone's Brian McGuigan in the semi-final win.