Call-ups for Nemo and Cill na Martra players to Cork football squad

Nemo Rangers duo of Bríain Murphy and Colin Molloy are set to be part of the Cork senior football squad when the Rebels officially return to pre-season training ahead of the new campaign, The Echo understands. 

The defenders had stellar seasons with their club as the Trabeg-based side made it all the way to the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC final, but lost out to Castlehaven back in October for the second year on the trot.

Murphy was on the panel for a short period previously. He has been a rock-solid defender for Nemo in recent years and did a solid job on Brian Hurley in this year's final against the Haven despite carrying an injury. 

Molloy has played for the Cork minor and U20 teams. He won a Munster medal with the Rebel minors in 2022 and has been one of Nemo’s best players since his breakthrough in the 2023 season.  

The Leesiders can officially return to training for the 2025 campaign from Saturday, December 7.

Also, Daniel (Dano) Dineen is in line to return to the Cork football panel for the 2025 season, The Echo understands.

The Cill na Martra star hasn’t been part of the Rebels squad since 2022 after he made the decision to focus on his club due to a pelvic bone injury, which had to be managed carefully. The forward has arguably been one of the best club players on Leeside over the past two campaigns.

He was joint fifth in the top scorers list from the 2023 PIFC as he helped Cill na Martra win the title. Dineen hit 3-9 (0-4 f) in six championship games in Cork. The Muskerry side would go on and claim provincial glory before losing in the All-Ireland final to Armagh’s Cullyhanna at Croke Park.

Dineen went up another level this year as Cill na Martra adjusted to life in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC pretty well. The team in blue and white reached the quarter-finals with Dineen a key cog in the machine.

He put in one of his best ever performances during the summer just gone in Cill na Martra’s gritty one-point win over rivals Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh in their final group stage game.

In what was a cracking game of football with Cill na Martra eking out a 2-15 to 2-14 success, Dineen landed 0-4, all from play, with all his points of the highest standard. He was the best player on the pitch that day, as he pretty much ran the show.

After playing every competitive game in 2022 for Cork, the primary school teacher is now set to be involved with the Rebels after sitting out the last two campaigns. 

Another Cill na Martra player, Seán Furey, is also expected to be part of pre-season training. The defender, who can also play at midfield, has been outstanding for the Muskerry side for a number of years. 

Old rivals Cork and Meath will renew acquaintances on Saturday, January 25 with a 5pm throw-in down the Páirc for the opening Allianz Division 2 football league match of 2025. The Rebels will be desperate to start on the right footing having failed to win a game on the opening day of the league since 2020 and that was when they were in Division 3.