McCarthy in the frame for replay

Cian McCarthy will be back in full training next week and available for the All-Ireland SHC final replay with Clare on September 28.

The Sarsfields clubman replaced Lorcan McLoughlin after 42 minutes of last Sunday’s drawn game but was replaced by Cathal Naughton eight minutes later after picking up an ankle injury and there were fears it might rule him out of the replay.

However, Cork selector Kieran Kingston told Cork's Evening Echo newspaper that he will be available for selection for the replay.

“Cian had to be taken off last Sunday very soon after we brought him in because he twisted an ankle but there are no worries about his availability for the replay and he will be training fully next week.

“It was very unfortunate for him to have to go off so soon last Sunday because he made an immediate impact when he was introduced and he looked set to play a big role for us in the time remaining’’.

A clean bill of health is reported from the Cork camp as thoughts turn to the sixth meeting between the counties since the turn of the year, according to Kingston.

“We have no major injury concerns at this point in time. Brian Murphy came through the game very successfully and that was a big plus because he hadn’t figured on the starting team since the Munster semi-final back in June.

“He needed a game like that and he will be the better for it.’’

Cork return to training tonight behind closed doors at Páirc Uí Chaoimh with the emphasis very much on building things up again for the replay.

“It’s all systems go now again, we’ll build it up again, just like we did after the Kilkenny and Dublin games and get the players back up to the level that will be required again and get them properly focused as well.

“We know that there is a lot of room for improvement, we were second best in a number of areas the last day.

“It will be equally as difficult the next day, maybe even more so. They got 25 scores last Sunday, they are a very good team, they have proved that and we will have to be right on top of our game to get the better of them.’’