Counihan scrambles to build panel

CORK'S FIRST competitive fixture since the resolution of the dispute between players and officials takes place in Kiltoom this Sunday with the visit of the footballers to play Roscommon. New Cork manager Conor Counihan has had to scramble quickly to try to draw together his panel in under a fortnight.

"I'm trying to unearth other talent," he said yesterday, "but there's very little scope, although we'll be organising an A v B match. It's difficult with the games because you'd like to be blooding two or three fellas in the League rather than in trial games."

For the players the opportunity to focus on football after three months of off-the-field controversy is a relief. According to Counihan, a sense of reprieve is the one upside to the contention of recent weeks.

"It's a big thing for the guys because it looked as if they wouldn't be playing at all this year. This is like a second chance for them."

Might it also have served as a useful buffer between the players and the memory of last September's All-Ireland evisceration by Kerry?

"I suppose it is," he says, "but you can't wipe out what happened either; they have to learn from losing an All-Ireland final."

Cork got 2008 off to a positive start with a win over Wexford in a challenge match at the weekend, but won't be at full strength for the Roscommon match.

"The Nemo lads aren't likely to be available," according to the manager, "and Fintan Goold is out with a hamstring pull. There are a couple of others, Pearse O'Neill and Kevin O'Sullivan, who probably won't make it for Sunday."

Operating with the 2007 panel, the new management will have an open-door policy in relation to the opening few matches of the NFL before reviewing the situation after four weeks. In the meantime, and months after their competitors, Cork will be getting the show on the road.

"We'd like to go up and win but that won't be the be-all and end-all. I suppose I'll be looking on it as a starting point," said Counihan.

Meanwhile, Monaghan have been forced into one change for their Division Two fixture against Armagh at Clones. Eoin Lennon, who was carried off in the win over Cavan with a recurrence of an ankle injury, sits out the start of this with Stephen Gallogly coming into the half forwards and Paul Finlay switching back to centrefield.

The only other injury problem is defender Colm Flanagan's broken hand.

"Eoin's getting intensive treatment at the minute," said manager Séamus McEnaney, "but he'll be on the bench for Sunday. This is a tough one for us. We haven't beaten Armagh in the League since 1988."

Monaghan have started the season strongly with two big wins, over Roscommon and Cavan, but McEnaney isn't reading an awful lot into it.

"It's early days yet so there's no big panic either way, but another two points would nearly keep us in Division Two next year at least."

Wexford manager Jason Ryan recalls Clongeen pair Nicky O'Sullivan and Collie Byrne. Pauric Curtis moves from wing forward to wing back with George Sunderland and Adrian Morrissey dropping to the bench.

Finally, Kilkenny hurler Derek Lyng is likely to miss the remainder of the NHL campaign. Lyng was operated on at the Santry Sports Injury clinic in Dublin after suffering a dislocated tendon in a freak training ground incident.

He went over on his ankle and has been ruled out of action for up to two months.

There was better news for the All-Ireland champions as 2007 Hurler of the Year Henry Shefflin returned to light training, having ruptured cruciate knee ligaments during last September's All-Ireland hurling final.

The 2008 GAA President's awards have been announced and the winners will be presented with them at a banquet in Croke Park on the evening of the All-Ireland club finals: Tom Moynihan (Limerick), Vincent Linnane (Kerry), Michael Kelly (Galway), John Harte (Leitrim), John Ryan (Longford), Fr Moling Lennon (Carlow and Kildare), Peter Sherry (Monaghan), Brian McEniff (Donegal), Peadar Ó Tuatáin (Derry), Mick Fitzgerald (Kerry), Brendan Falvey (Kerry), Una Kearney (Armagh), Martin Mullan (Derry), Jimmy Connor (Mayo), Séamus Dooley (New York and Monaghan), Michael Noel Byrne (Offaly), Declan O'Neill (Tyrone).