Cork's Alan Connolly to be fit for 2024 season despite hamstring injury

Cork manager Pat Ryan expects to have the Alan Connolly available for the beginning of the 2024 season.

The Blackrock attacker missed the entirety of the 2023 campaign with a shoulder injury and then a hamstring problem limited his game-time limited as the club reached the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC quarter-finals.

There had been fears that recovery from that injury would keep him on the sidelines for a sustained period once more, but Ryan is relieved that it is not a serious issue.

“Obviously, he had a shoulder injury last year and he was out until June, July,” he said.

“That’s after clearing up and he played with Blackrock. When you come back from an injury like that, it often happens that you pick up another and, unfortunately, he picked up a hamstring injury.

“There was a fear that it was a serious injury but it’s not as bad as that and he’s being well looked after. He’ll be back running in five or six weeks’ time and then ready to play matches at the start of January.

“It’s a good boost for our panel. You could see, when he came on against Sars, the contribution he could make with half a leg. We’re delighted to have him back involved.”

Of the 2023 Cork panel, Alan Cadogan has retired but no others are expected. Apart from Connolly, the only other injury problem at present revolves around Tim O’Mahony.

The versatile Newtownshandrum man was another who was hampered during the 2023 season, not making his first appearance until the Allianz Hurling League semi-final defeat to Kilkenny. Brought on as a sub against Tipperary and Clare, he started the last Musnter SHC game, the one-point defeat to Limerick that ended Cork’s season.

Having postponed an operation until Newtown exited the county championship, he is now undertaking his rehabilitation but should be back for the early stages of the league.

“Tim O’Mahony has had an operation, so he’ll be out until around mid-February,” Ryan said.

“Tim had an ongoing tendon injury during the year. We always knew that he’d have to get an operation on it but he was adamant that he wanted to play with his club, which is a great testament to him.

“He has had the operation now and it’s 12-16 week job but it’s an injury you back from.”