Cork's Pádraig Power out until May with shoulder problem

Cork attacker Pádraig Power is likely to be ruled out of action until May, having had surgery on a shoulder injury.

Having impressed in cameos for the Rebels last year, the Blarney man was in good form as they reached the final of the Co-op SuperStores Cork SAHC but picked up the injury against Bride Rovers at the semi-final stage. While he was able to play in the re-fixed game against Rovers when the initial match was declared void, and the drawn final and replay against Newcestown, a recent recurrence necessitated an operation.

Speaking after Saturday’s Canon O’Brien Cup game against UCC, Cork manager Pat Ryan confirmed that Power – a two-time All-Ireland U20 winner – would be absent for the spring.

“Pádraig Power got injured with Blarney,” he said.

“We were hoping he would be okay but he is going to be out until May, a similar operation to Alan Connolly last year.”

Apart from Power, Cork – who begin their Co-op SuperStores Munster Hurling League campaign against Limerick in Mallow on Sunday (2pm) do not have any other long-term concerns.

“Seán O’Donoghue was sick,” Ryan said, “he could have played [against UCC] but we said we would start Darragh O’Sullivan, a very good young fellas with the U20s.

“We have none of the U20s on our panel at the moment, we’ve left them alone, their season is very intense as well.

“Shane got an injection in his knee after the Blarney escapades, so we’re delighted to see him back.

“Ethan Twomey must get a scan, I’d say he will be out for three to four weeks. He had a shoulder issue after the St Finbarr’s championship [season] so he has been rehabbing that and doing a load of running. Unfortunately, he just hurt his leg the other day.”

Mark Coleman and Alan Connolly missed all of 2023 with Cork but both will available in the near future, as will Tim O’Mahony, who had an operation on a tendon injury in the autumn.

While Cork lost to UCC, 1-24 to 1-23 the final score at the Mardyke, Ryan felt it was a good run-out.

“The most important thing was recognising Canon O’Brien and giving the proceeds to Dillon Quirke Foundation, which is another fantastic cause,” he said.

“The pitch was in great condition for this time of the year. A lot of our fellas got game-time, obviously we had a lot of fellas playing with UCC as well, so that gives us a great idea going into Munster league next week.

“There are obviously areas we are disappointed with, and areas we are very happy with. “Obviously we had a very experimental team out as well. A lot of our guys are coming back now and getting ready. We are looking forward to the Munster league and then the national league.

“We had 23, 24 lads out there. We had a couple of lads training in Bishopstown, we didn’t bother using Seán, Darragh [Fitzgibbon] and Pa [Collins] towards the end. Delighted with everything.”