Conor Lehane has been recalled to the Cork senior hurling panel after a stellar campaign with his club Midleton.
Lehane was among a number of players shown the door by manager Kieran Kingston after last year’s Championship but is back on board after helping to inspire his club’s first county title since 2013.
In the final win over Glen Rovers last month, Lehane slotted 0-13, 0-5 from play, of his side’s 0-24 total. In total, he struck 0-61 across seven Championship games for the club in 2021, including last Sunday’s Munster semi-final defeat to Kilmallock.
In Lehane’s absence, Cork reached the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2013 this year but were well beaten by Limerick, losing by 16 points, having also been eliminated by the same opposition in the Munster Championship.
Kingston has lost the services of three players for the 2022 season with Eoin Cadogan, Bill Cooper and Colm Spillane all retiring, while Mark Coleman is to succeed Patrick Horgan in the captain’s role with Sean O’Donoghue appointed vice-captain.
Paying tribute to the departing trio, Kingston told the Irish Examiner: “I know I speak on behalf of supporters and all those associated with Cork in paying tribute to the lads. Eoin played senior hurling and football for Cork for 15 years, which is an incredible record - 20 years when you take into account his underage record.
“He’ll go down as one of Cork’s dual greats, pitted against top opponents in both codes, and was as strong a character as I’ve seen in the GAA. People don’t realise what he put himself through physically in order to compete for as long as he did, overcoming significant injuries to do so.
“Bill Cooper was a long-standing presence on the Cork senior hurling team, and his strength and character were a massive asset for us in a lot of tight games. He never let Cork down and gave some outstanding displays in the middle of the field, and I wish him the best when he returns to action with his club, Youghal.
“I know everyone in Cork is sorry to see Colm Spillane being forced to step away from the inter-county scene due to injury - he was an outstanding defender who often picked up the opposition’s danger man and had some outstanding performances in Thurles, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Croke Park. I hope to see Colm playing again for Castlelyons in 2022.
“All supporters of Cork hurling will wish the three lads well for the future. They gave everything to the Cork jersey while they were involved and can look back with pride on their inter county careers.”
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