O’Callaghan To Be Fit for Final
15/04/02.Fears that Cork Con captain Ultan O’Callaghan will miss the AIB League final after being carried off injured in Saturday’s win over Garryowen have been dismissed.
O’Callaghan, who had been in tremendous form throughout the game, was carried off in the 61st minute following an incident which resulted in Garryowen being reduced to 14 for the second time in the game. The incident that resulted in the yellow card – and O’Callghan’s injury – came from a restart, when Garryowen replacement Eoin Kelly pushed a Con forward – who was in the air – into the supporting Con skipper. Referee Alan Lewis had no hesitation in brandishing the card, with O’Callaghan being carried off and looking in some distess.
Happily however, the news about the injury is good and he will be able to lead his side in the May 4th decider. ” It was one of our own players that clattered into me and initially I thought it was all over as regards the final. ” said the big number 8.” But thankfully it’s not as bad as I first thought and I’ll be fine in a few days.”
Garryowen were possibly a little unfortunate in that they found Cork Con on one of their best days with Mick O’Driscoll again producing a towering performance and Frank Sheahan deadly accurate with his line out throwing.
They now face a Shannon side who were narrow 15-12 winners over Clontarf in a game that Shannon dominated while the Dublin side never threatened the home side’s line.