Captain Ian Maguire to miss league opener says Cork boss John Cleary 

Cork manager John Cleary has said that he will have the majority of his players available for the opening Allianz Division 2 Football League game this weekend.

The Rebels face Cavan on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with throw-in at 1.30pm.

Cork will come into the game with a spring in their step after victory over Kerry in the McGrath Cup final at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney last Saturday afternoon.

Chris Óg Jones' point sealed the Leesiders come-from-behind 0-16 to 0-15 win.

While the Castlehaven clubman gave a positive enough update on the panel in general, it's a race against time for Cathail O’Mahony to be available for Sunday.

The Mitchelstown forward, who has been in good form in pre-season, wasn’t involved in the victory over Kerry last weekend.

The recently appointed captain of the team Ian Maguire is also set to miss the clash with Cavan, which should open the door for Seán Walsh to partner Colm O’Callaghan in the middle of the pitch.

Conor Corbett is close to returning after suffering an injury before Christmas.

“We don’t at this stage have any long-term injuries,” Cleary says.

“Cathail O’Mahony, he's maybe a week away. Not sure whether he will make it next weekend or not.

“David Buckley was injured there all along as well and then he was sick.

“Éanna O’Hanlon is another guy coming back from injury from last year. He’s still a bit away.

“Ian Maguire is back in training but he's just back a week so he's not ready at the moment.

“Other than that, all the rest should be available for Cavan.

“This time last year we had about 12 injuries. Now, we are down to three or four players who are nearly right.

“We have a pretty good panel, so we have a nice headache in selecting the team and the squad.

“The Kerry game proved that the guys that came in off the bench were able to compete.”