Chris Kelly set for Cork championship debut with Martin recovery unlikely

Cork number one Micheál Aodh Martin is still battling a groin injury

Chris Kelly of Cork leaves the pitch due to injury during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Galway at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Chris Kelly is set to make his championship debut for the Cork footballers in Saturday’s qualifier at home to Louth as it is “highly unlikely” that first-choice goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin will be fit to resume his place between the sticks.

Martin is still battling the groin injury that saw him substituted 24 minutes into the county’s Munster semi-final defeat to Kerry four weeks ago, with management not expecting the Nemo Rangers shot-stopper to win his race against the clock.