Counihan cautious over duo's fitness

GAA :CORK FOOTBALL manager Conor Counihan remains understandably cautious over the availability of Graham Canty (hamstring) and Ciarán Sheehan (knee) ahead of the All-Ireland football semi-final against Dublin in Croke Park on Sunday.

Both players were unable to finish the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Connacht champions Roscommon on August 1st.

Canty was seen wincing in pain after pulling his hamstring when punching a point in the second half of that 1-16 to 0-10 victory, while Sheehan left Croke Park on crutches after twisting his knee.

“The recovery remains very delicate and they are vulnerable so we have deferred making any decision until Thursday night at least,” said Counihan yesterday. “They have both done some light jogging but that is it at present. We will give them as much time as possible.”

Canty’s leadership qualities and versatility would be a major loss as the favourites seek to progress to a second successive All-Ireland final as he can play full back, across the half-back line or even midfield while remaining a vital man marker and attacking outlet.

Having shadowed Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy on several occasions in recent times, Canty would probably have been charged with denying Bernard Brogan any scope to add to his season’s tally of 2-36 (0-16 frees).

Should the 30-year-old fail to recover from the grade-two hamstring tear, the way will be paved for hurling full back Eoin Cadogan to come straight into the defence to face Dublin, although Counihan has other options, like veteran defenders John Miskella and Ger Spillane.

Cadogan has not featured for the Cork footballers in the All-Ireland series due to hurling commitments but he has been able to refocus fully on his football since Cork’s defeat to Kilkenny on August 8th. “He was with us when possible over the last number of weeks but he is now back training,” added Counihan.

Cadogan could fill the same full-back role in football as he does in hurling to free Michael Shields to centre back.

Although not being considered for this weekend, there is an outside possibility of another long-serving Cork defender, Anthony Lynch, making a return to the panel should they progress past Dublin. “He is training away but still needs more time,” said Counihan.

Sheehan, while not as significant a loss as Canty, was a key attacker in last season’s under-21 All-Ireland winning side and has been equally impressive during the current senior campaign.

Dublin have lost Darren Magee to a dislocated ankle but otherwise report a clean bill of health. Both Dublin and Cork are expected to name their line-ups for the game on Thursday evening.

The counties last met at this juncture in the championship in 1995 when a goal from Jason Sherlock separated the teams.

It has been confirmed Laois referee Maurice Deegan will take charge of the fixture.

Elsewhere, Down midfielder Ambrose Rodgers is struggling to recover from a cruciate knee injury ahead of their semi-final against Kildare on Sunday week.

The Laois County Board last night confirmed Armagh native Justin McNulty as their new county football manager. McNulty, who was part of Paddy O’Rourke’s management team in Armagh this season, was the only name put forward by the football committee.