Seán Powter leaves Cork football squad with Hugh O'Connor in line for hurling switch

After the return of Steven Sherlock to the fold for 2026, there will be further changes to the Cork football panel with the news that Seán Powter is emigrating to Australia, while Hugh O'Connor is set to switch to hurling.

Powter, a qualified doctor, is a hugely experienced operator and a joy to watch in full flight. His loss will be keenly felt as John Cleary and his selectors look to land a first Munster crown since 2012 and secure Division 2 promotion.

Newmarket rising star O'Connor captained the Cork footballers at minor and U20 level, raising the Munster minor title along with Rory O'Shaughnessy four years ago. 

The 21-year-old was Man of the Match in Newmarket's recent Duhallow JAHC victory over Dromtarriffe, landing 0-6, five from play. He featured in championship for the Cork footballers earlier this year but hadn't nailed down a position yet. 

It would be a gamble to opt for hurling yet there's always a need for ball-winning forwards and this is a fresh start under Ben O'Connor and co. Diarmuid Healy, the same age as Hugh O'Connor, showed that in his breakthrough season.

Three-time All-Star Seamus Harnedy is staying involved next year but that could be as an impact sub. 

Kanturk's Tommy Walsh was also offered the chance to swap football for hurling but for now is likely to stick with the big ball.

Powter's decision to emigrate was flagged up before Douglas' county championship campaign, which ended in a group stage exit. He started twice and came off the bench four times for Cork during the summer but injuries impacted the 28-year-old's contribution at club level.

The hard-running ball-carrier has excelled in the half-back line and in attack for Cork since stepping up from minor after 2015 and was a Young Footballer of the Year contender in '17 and an All-Star nominee in 2022. 

Hamstring issues as a consequence of his explosive pace constantly hindered his progress and he didn't pull on the red geansaí in championship in 2018 or '19 but was Man of the Match in the last victory over Kerry, in winter 2020.

FURTHER CHANGE

Veteran wing-forward Ruairí Deane is also set to call time on his inter-county career. Cork captain Brian Hurley will be back and Castlehaven's quarter-final exit means he'll have the chance to reboot across the winter. 

St Michael's Rory O'Shaughnessy is in line to add size and energy as a middle-third option to the panel.

Meanwhile, all six Munster counties are due to participate in both of the province’s pre-season competitions in January.

The provincial council had contacted counties about their interest in the McGrath Cup and Munster Hurling League as it was confirmed last month that the pre-season tournaments were returning for 2026.

Although there was reportedly more enthusiasm in other provinces towards their revival, Munster counties’s responses have been overwhelmingly positive. The province’s competitions control committee will meet later this month to agree on formats before dates are agreed.