Cathal McCarthy and Robbie Cotter set for returns to Cork hurling panel

Returns for Cathal McCarthy and Robbie Cotter are on the cards when the Cork senior hurling team resumes training next month, though Declan Dalton is set to miss out.

Ahead of his second year in charge, county manager Ben O’Connor is likely to audition a variety of potential new recruits.

McCarthy of Sarsfields was previously a part of the panel under Pat Ryan and most likely would have featured in O’Connor’s debut season too but a cruciate ligament injury sustained just over a year ago ruled him out for the entirety of the inter-county campaign.

He was one of the bright spots as Sars’ defence of the county Premier SHC title ended at the quarter-final stage, while Cotter – also previously involved – scored 4-7 from play across three games as Blackrock missed out on knockout qualification on scoring difference.

Also set to be given a chance to shine in attack are Colin Walsh, Jack Leahy and Barry O’Flynn.

Kanturk’s Walsh is the brother of Alan, who impressed this year having been drafted in by O’Connor, and the pair was instrumental in the club reaching the top-tier hurling semi-finals for the first time.

Deadly

Leahy, who won the player of the year award when Cork claimed All-Ireland minor honours in 2021, impressed as the University of Limerick won the Fitzgibbon Cup earlier this year and carried that form into the county championship season, helping his club Dungourney to reach the final of the Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC as well as leading the line for the Imokilly divisional team.

O’Flynn, who captained the Cork U20 team this year, established himself as a first-teamer with Sarsfields in 2025 and continued to build his reputation this year, scoring championship goals against Newtownshandrum and Kanturk.

Further changes to the training panel are likely to come after the county championships conclude, though one expected absentee for 2027 is Dalton.

The Fr O’Neill’s man, who will be 29 in November, first featured under John Meyler and made his first championship start for Cork in 2020, during Kieran Kingston’s reign. 

He became a regular under Ryan as the Rebels reached the All-Ireland finals of 2024 and 2025, but injuries contributed to him not receiving game-time in this year’s championship.

Darragh O’Sullivan is another of this year’s panel who will not be featuring, however the U20 captain of 2024 still has time on his side. Having impressed in Ballinhassig’s first year at senior A level, he will be an instrumental figure for MTU Cork in the Fitzgibbon Cup.