Nov 06,2024
Cork manager John Cleary has been dealt a blow for the 2025 season as forward Steven Sherlock has opted to take a year out.
It means the Rebels will be without five members of this year's panel, with John O’Rourke and Killian O’Hanlon deciding to hang up their inter-county boots and squad player Damien Gore also deciding to take a year out.
Defender Kevin Flahive will also not feature when the Rebels begin their Division 2 league campaign as the 28-year-old is headed for Australia.
The loss of Sherlock will impact Cleary’s attacking options. The St Finbarr’s man struggled to force his way into the starting team this year, but featured in all 13 games across league and championship, with 11 of those coming off the bench.
The 27-year-old has been Cork’s top scorer in Cleary’s three years in charge of the Rebel footballers.
Sherlock has flitted in and out of the side since joining the panel in 2018.
Motivated to prove his worth after Ronan McCarthy deemed him surplus to requirements in 2020 and 2021 – "I thought it was an absolutely ridiculous decision really" he stated of his omission last year– he capped his return to inter-county football with an All-Star nomination in 2022.
Carbery Rangers forward John O’Rourke brings the curtain down on a 12-year inter-county career, while Kilshannig’s Killian O’Hanlon, who made his bow in 2018, has decided to call time on a Cork career curtailed by injuries.
