CORK were due to travel to play Offaly in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior championship opening round on Saturday. 

During the week they were finding it difficult to get the exact venue for the game from Croke Park and on Wednesday morning, the Rebels were informed that Offaly had given a walkover. 

The decision to withdraw from the fixture is not Covid-related, thankfully, but it seems to be more a case of not being able to field. 

Offaly have not withdrawn from the remainder of the campaign. I can’t recall something like this occurring at senior inter-county level before and it throws Cork’s preparations completely out of sync. 

It's also a terrible situation for the game in the Faithful County.

Preparation for a game begins two weeks in advance as you tailor your training to peak for the clash instead of driving on with more intense sessions. 

It was a surprise that we were still without a venue on Tuesday evening and the reason why became apparent to Cork early on Wednesday morning. 

So, Cork’s first game of just two now in the group will be October 31 at home to Wexford. 

Cork manager Paudie Murray couldn’t hide his disappointment with the news. 

"We’re very disappointed in that it is wed morning that we have only just heard. We’ve been working logistically all week to try and get things sorted and to hear so late isn’t good."

Cork were travelling by car and trying to keep numbers travelling together to a minimum so as to minimise close contact as much as possible. 

They couldn’t stop anywhere for a bite to eat so had arranged to bring food for the team and stop on the side of the road. 

Every travelling team is in the same position and it’s a case of planning and preparing as best you can. It’s unfortunate that so much time was spent on that this week by Cork.

It hasn't been the greatest few days for Cork, with a storm of controversy recently about upcoming fixture clashes between ladies football and camogie.