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Rebels

Cork trio out injured for Munster final as management don't respond to criticism

The build-up is counting down to the showdown with Kerry.

CORK WILL HAVE to plan without three players due to injury for next weekend’s Munster final against Kerry.

It was confirmed last night that the game has come too soon for John O’Rourke (shoulder), Tomas Clancy (ankle – Clonakilty) and Ian Maguire (back) despite their recent return to training.

Selector Ronan McCarthy revealed that Cork have a full squad to pick from otherwise with Eoin Cadogan having bounced back from an ankle problem.

The absence of midfielder Maguire for long stages this season has been a frustration.

“It’s very disappointing for him,” admits McCarthy.

“He certainly showed signs last year that he’d be a major asset to the team this year.

Ian Maguire Cork's Ian Maguire James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“The biggest thing is that’s it quite a serious injury that he had. He’d a bulging disc in his back. The key thing was to mind the player and have him come back gradually.

“It’s frustrating for him and it’s another option we don’t have.”

Cork’s team received scathing criticism last week from ex-Kerry star Tomás Ó Sé and former Cork forward James Masters.

McCarthy’s response to the critics focused on the need for Cork to deliver.

“I’m not going to add or subtract from what has been said. The key thing from our point of view is that people can write positive things or negative things, at the end of the day, it doesn’t take from the fact that we’ve to go to Killarney and perform.

Ronan McCarthy Cork's Ronan McCarthy Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Opinions

“You’d prefer if it didn’t happen but look people have opinions and they’re entitled to them. In the modern game and social media, people have outlets to express opinions that maybe in the past they couldn’t have done.

“Even if he came out and said something very positive about the team, what difference does it make to us? We still have to deliver below in Killarney on Sunday and what people say right or wrong, we can’t control.

The teams parade before the game Fitzgerald Stadium is the venue for the Munster decider James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“I can guarantee one thing, it won’t be stuck up on the dressing room wall. What we don’t want it to become and it hasn’t become is a distraction for us. We’ve just left it and got on with our business.”

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