Huge blow for Cork as Steven Sherlock opts out for 2025

Steven Sherlock has stepped away from the Cork senior football panel for the 2025 season.

The St Finbarr’s player has been frustrated in recent seasons over a lack of game time. The Echo understands that the sharpshooter notified Cork boss John Cleary in recent days of his decision to leave the squad. 

The 2022 All-Star nominee was Cork's top scorer in two of the last three campaigns under Cleary despite often being used off the bench.

It’s a huge blow for the Rebels in their attempts to build on the progress that has been made over the last few years. Sherlock joined the Cork panel before the 2018 campaign and had been a crucial part of the squad.

While it’s a setback for Cork, it will be a boost for St Finbarr’s, as he can fully focus on their attempts to win the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC in 2025 for the first time since 2021.

It has been confirmed that Kilmacabea's Damien Gore will take a break from Cork next year. The West Cork native had been involved since 2019 when he won an U20 All-Ireland medal. 

Also, John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers) has retired from inter-county football as well as Killian O'Hanlon (Kilshannig). 

Both had been a key cog in the Rebels machine for many years. O’Rourke and O'Hanlon were crucial figures in Cork's promotion from the Allianz Division 3 football league in the 2020 campaign. Both were great servants for the Leesiders with O'Hanlon hampered by a number of serious injuries. 

Four players have now left the Cork panel in recent days on top of Douglas' Kevin Flahive departing the squad a couple of weeks ago as he decided to head to Australia. 

The Echo understands that Ballincollig's Seán Dore and Seán Walsh of Mitchelstown are on Cork's radar to potentially join up with the team for pre-season as well as Mallow's Seán McDonnell. The Rebels can officially return to training for the 2025 campaign from Saturday, December 7.