Evening Echo
by John Horgan
Thursday, 15th July 2002

The O'Connor brothers, Ben and Jerry are giving cause for concern in the Newtownshandrum camp in advance of next Sunday night's permanent TSB Cork Co SHC quarter-final with Erin's Own at Kilworth.

Both have been receiving treatment for injury problems, Ben with a hip injury and Gerry with a leg injury and, according to team boss Tom Ryan, are a major worry.

"Both have been getting medical attention and hopefully, they'll get the green light to start", he said.

"This is going to be a difficult game for us. We haven't had a game for something like six weeks while Erin's Own have had two against Cloyne in recent times."

Challenge matches are no good and I believe the Cork County Board, like all other boards, are going to have to address the issue where clubs are inactive for so long. It's a crazy situation and I believe it contributed to Waterford's downfall last Sunday against Clare."

"I have heard suggestions that it will be a Blackrock, Newtown final. That kind of talk is ridiculous and there's a long road to travel yet and I'd say the same for them before we can even think about that."