McDonnell opts out of Cork hurling panel with Eoin Cadogan in the mix as a replacement

LAST season’s Cork senior hurling captain, Stephen McDonnell will not be available for the county in 2018.

Cork boss John Meyler said last night that the Glen defender is taking time out.

“Stephen’s not in our plans, he’s taking time out in 2018 so he won’t be available,’’ Meyler said.

McDonnell’s absence leaves a vacancy in the full-back line which could be filled by Eoin Cadogan if he was to decide to throw in his lot with the hurlers.

He was recently linked with a return to the hurling set-up but it remains to be seen whether or not that might be the case.

On Wednesday night at the Reardens GAA All-Star awards, Brian Lawton was named as the best senior club hurler in Cork in 2017.  Luke Connolly won the football player of the year award, while Orla Finn and Aileen Sheehan won the ladies football and camogie player of the year awards.

Four All-Star teams were named on the night which saw new Cork managers John Meyler and Ronan McCarthy, assistant ladies football manager James Masters and camogie boss Paudie Murray on hand to present the awards to the players.