Meyler confirms Colm Spillane will miss the Cork and Tipp clash

COLM SPILLANE will not be available for Cork’s opening game in the Munster SHC against Tipperary on May 12.

The Castlelyons clubman missed the entire league campaign as well as his club’s victory over Youghal last weekend in the Cork County PIHC with a back injury and, according to Cork boss John Meyler, he won’t figure against the Premier County.

“No, he won’t be ready. The Tipperary game comes too soon for him, but we’d be hopeful that we’ll have him available for the games after that."

Spillane was one of Cork’s most consistent players last season and his absence from the full-back line for the all-important clash with Tipperary is a considerable blow.

There are a number of options open to the management and the form of Eoin Cadogan for Douglas against Bride Rovers last weekend was encouraging.

Stephen McDonnell is back in the equation too and his experience could come into play. The Cork boss revealed that Jamie Coughlan picked up an ankle injury with his club Newtownshandrum in their loss to Bishopstown and it’s going to be a wait and see situation.

“Jamie’s ankle is swollen so we will just have to see how things go with him.

“Robbie O’Flynn is back training again and he’s going to be okay after missing games with his club with a hamstring injury."

“David Griffin picked up a shoulder injury over the weekend and there are things like that, but everybody else came through the club games okay.’’

Cork have added Niall O’Leary and Chris O’Leary to the panel, both coming in recently after excelling in UCC's Fitzgibbon Cup campaign, and they may well feature during what will be an intense Munster campaign.

“Yes, we have brought in those two lads, Chris will be playing on Sunday for Valley Rovers against Kilworth and, hopefully, he’ll come through that. We are back in training and it will be full on in the time that’s left before we face Tipperary.’’

Cork have no plans at the moment to play a challenge game before May 12 and may prefer to concentrate on some intense A v B games in training.

Meanwhile, the administrative staff of the Cork County Board and the county secretary Kevin O’Donovan, who have been based at Mainport on the Monahan Road for some years, will move into their new offices at Pairc Ui Chaoimh next week.