Premier SFC: Cork football star Brian O'Driscoll a major injury doubt for Carrigaline

Cork football star Brian O’Driscoll has emerged as a major doubt for Carrigaline’s final group game in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC this weekend.

The Carrigdhoun side take on St Finbarr's on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 4pm. Both teams have already qualified from Group 2, but both will want to try and secure a direct route to the semi-finals if possible.

Carrigaline have been the story of the championship so far, beating Carbery Rangers and Clonakilty. Last year’s SAFC winners have real momentum and confidence, but the absence of O’Driscoll on Sunday would be a blow.

It’s understood he suffered a broken bone in his hand in Carrigaline’s local derby victory over Ballymartle in last Sunday’s Co-Op SuperStores PIHC Group 1 clash.

Eddie Murphy’s side won 0-20 to 1-16 in their final group encounter to book their passage into the business end where they will take on Ballincollig in the quarter-finals on Sunday week.

O’Driscoll was forced off the pitch five minutes into the second half.

Carrigaline’s footballers showed their strength in-depth last time out in the 3-13 to 1-13 success over Clonakilty.

O’Driscoll did chip in with 0-3 (1 2pt), but it was a real team display. His absence against St Finbarr’s would be a considerable loss though for Mick Meaney’s outfit.

It’s a game of no consequence to a certain degree with both through, but O’Driscoll’s presence could have been a deciding factor.

More pressing would be his availability for Carrigaline’s hurlers next weekend for their battle with Ballincollig.