Cadogan available for Cork footballers

Dual player Eoin Cadogan could be about to feature in two high octane Munster Championship matches in the space of seven days, after making himself available for Cork's Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry on Sunday.

Cadogan was one of the Rebels hurlers' leading lights as they scored a headline-grabbing ten-point win over defending Munster champions Tipperary last weekend.

The talented full-back, 23, sustained a minor facial injury during the memorable Munster SHC quarter-final win, but will be fit to start for Conor Counihan's footballers in Killarney if required.

Counihan will reveal his starting line-up on Thursday night and interest is growing as to whether he sticks with the side that won the recent National League final or decides to tinker.

With Kieran Donaghy set to start for Kerry, despite doubts over a groin strain he picked up in a training match, Cork could opt to continue with Jamie O'Sullivan at full-back or introduce Cadogan in that pivotal position.

O'Sullivan performed a solid man-marking job on Aidan O'Shea in the Division 1 decider, keeping the Mayo attacker scoreless.

Cork's regular captain Graham Canty, John Miskella and Pearse O'Neill are also fighting their way back to fitness after time out with injuries.

Canty returned recently for his club, Bantry Blues, after damaging a shoulder joint during the latter stages of the National League, but the Kerry game may come too soon.

"I'm fit, but my match fitness is way down and it's a matter of trying to get my match fitness up," said the Cork skipper.

"You have to get your sharpness and timing back up because you haven't had games. I have only played a couple of club games and maybe one or two inter-county challenge games."

Miskella remains doubtful with a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Alan Quirke (groin), Nicholas Murphy (back) and Anthony Lynch (groin) are nursing knocks as well.

Cork had eight points to spare over Mayo in the league final and amid a mini injury crisis, Canty has been impressed by how the younger players have stepped up to the plate, like league final starters O'Sullivan (21), Eoin Cotter (22), Aidan Walsh (20) and Ciaran Sheehan (19).

"So far the team has coped pretty well (with the injuries). The league performances were good enough, and they ended up winning a national title, so it can't have been too unsettling," added Canty.

"The lads came in and staked a claim. They have pushed back their shoulders, stuck out their chests and they have staked a claim on a place. There are fellas champing at the bit to get in the 15, and lads are pushing hard to cement their place."

The main concern for reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry is 2009 Footballer of the Year Paul Galvin who sat out a training match last Friday.

Galvin is nursing an ankle injury and should he not make it, former captain Darran O'Sullivan and Barry John Keane, who scored two points as a substitute against Tipperary, are standing by as possible replacements.