Jack Cahalane's a big loss to Cork football after super club season but hurling may yet benefit 

Jack Cahalane will collect a Reardens All-Star at the end of the month after an outstanding season for Castlehaven.

The mercurial forward was the Haven's most consistent performer as they retained the Andy Scannell Cup. He kicked 0-3 in the final against Nemo and was the official Man of the Match, in line with his displays throughout the campaign where his work-rate and clever link play were as important as his scoring.

In that context, it came as a surprise to find out he won't be a member of the Cork panel in 2025. Though under-utilised this year, given his club form and the fact he's only 22 he had a lot to offer.

Like his brothers and sisters, Jack is as good with a camán in his grasp as a football and it might be a case that he features for the hurlers in the coming months. Certainly, Pat Ryan knows his potential from working with him at U20 level and Cahalane has been as integral to the St Finbarr's hurling attack as he is to the Haven's.

Still, you'd have expected his inter-county prospects were stronger in football, where his uncle John Cleary is the bainisteoir and the competition isn't as loaded up front. The likes of his club comrades Ben Cunningham and William Buckley, Jack Leahy, Diarmuid Healy and Pádraig Power will be hoping to force their way into Ryan's plans.

Under the new football rules, Cahalane could prosper as both a finisher and creator as one of the three forwards deployed up top. 

He did that with aplomb for his club in tandem with Brian and Michael Hurley, even against blanket defences.

EXODUS

His exit means seven of the 2024 Cork football squad have now departed. Kevin Flahive opted to go travelling while injuries no doubt impacted Killian O'Hanlon and Damien Gore's decision. In the case of John O'Rourke and Thomas Clancy, All-Ireland minor finalists alongside Brian Hurley and Damien Cahalane in 2010 Cork team, miles on the clock was a factor.

Steven Sherlock walking away in frustration to his role as an impact sub was a massive blow though. And Cahalane is a significant loss too given his age and brilliance for Castlehaven.

It also cranks up the pressure on Cleary and coach Kevin Walsh. 

Cork produced some excellent performances in the last two years, beating Mayo and Roscommon (2023) and Donegal ('24) as well as really rattling Kerry.

Yet they paid the price for slow starts in the league which meant they couldn't challenge for promotion out of Division 2 while the tame championship exit to Louth last summer was bitterly disappointing. 

They're certainly a top-12 team but can they move up the ranks and land a Munster title or reach the All-Ireland semi-finals? It's a serious ask.

They desperately need a clean bill of health because serious injuries have curbed the enthusiasm of Conor Corbett and Cathail O'Mahony, two young forwards who ticked every box as U20s.

UNIQUE

Galway native Walsh will be expected to come up with a few curveballs to throw at opposing teams by exploiting the new rules to help bridge the gap between Cork and the leading contenders. There was a rumour recently about Damien Cahalane defecting from the hurlers to take over as football goalie. 

That would certainly be different, even if Chris Kelly had a fine campaign as number one this year.

What's unquestionable is the footballers' need to hit the ground running and let their on-field exploits dominate the headlines when the ball is thrown in again.