User:rorynoonanDate:04/01/2013Time:11:45:03Edition:04/01/2013Frifriecho040113Page:56Color:
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Evening Echo
Zebo’s bosses happy as winger signs with Reds for three years
SPORT IN CORK SPORTS WORLD TODAY
Kelly celebrates WORLD Cork’s Patrick SPORTS CORK over Kerry in final whistle and victory Uí
at the 1
User:billlinnaneDate:04/01/2013Time:10:39:21Edition:04/01/2013SFfridaysport040113Page:1Color:
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Friday,
the Munster semi-final Chaoimh last summer.
January 4, 2013
in Páirc
Picture: INPHO
Sam is true measure of success s at how 2012 Mark Woods look ball and finds was for Cork foot a glass half full: P6-7 INSIDE TODAY
great GAA: John Horgan on a year for Brian Dillon’s: P2-3.
talks to Soccer : Éamonn Murphy ed: P8-9. Avondale’s Eoghan Loughe
Castlehaven’s Damien Cahalane, seen here in Cork County SFC action against the Barrs last season, has been called up to the Cork senior squad for Sunday’s McGrath Cup season opener against CIT at CIT.
Cahalane is called up DAMIEN Cahalane is handed a chance of filling one of the vacancies in the Cork full-back line this season after being selected for the opening game in the McGrath Cup at CIT on Sunday. The Castlehaven defender is picked at left corner-back for his senior football debut after a string of impressive displays with his club. Cork will be without Ray Carey (travel) and Eoin Cotter (work in Dublin) in 2013 and Jamie O’Sullivan is tied up with UCC leaving the door open for Cahalane to stake a claim. The league holders begin their four-in-a-row campaign against Dublin at Croke Park in five weeks and a strong showing by the coach education student in Col-
MUNSTER coach Rob Penney and Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald were happy men yesterday after three Leesiders committed their futures to Munster, writes SEAN McCARTHY. James Coughlan and Dave O’Callaghan have signed contract extensions for Penney’s side but it was the third, Simon Zebo, that had the New Zealander in happy mood. “Look, without blowing too much smoke, he is a genuine rugby talent, and I think we’ve all seen that he is an excitement machine,” Penney said of Zebo who is being rested for tomorrow’s RaboDirect Pro12 home game with Cardiff Blues, 7.30pm. Teams such as Toulouse had shown an interest in the Cork player but they will have to now look elsewhere. “He is a young man who’s made massive shifts in a short period of time and he’s going to continue to grow and be an exciting footballer for Ireland and Munster. It is great to see a guy with his talent able to express himself and play so well. It is a great thing,” said the Reds coach. Penney said Zebo had the X-Factor needed. “I think he would do well in New Zealand, he would be someone you could put into an environment over there and he would succeed.” Penney isn’t the only one
Castlehaven’s young star to make his Cork senior football debut GAA By MARK WOODS áiste Stiofáin Naofa will strengthen his case. Cahalane was a part of the Cork hurling panel last year, but whether he attempts to combine both like Eoin Cadogan remains to be seen, especially as he is in his final year at U21 level. The 20-year-old previously stated he didn’t think is was currently viable for him to play senior with both. Cork are aiming for a hat-trick of Munster U21 football titles and Cahalane will be a key figure in the first round game against Kerry in
March. Sunday’s game marks the first match in charge of new selectors Brian Cuthbert (Bishopstown), Ronan McCarthy (Douglas) and ‘Haulie’ O’Neill (Clonakilty) who join manager Conor Counihan, starting his sixth term, and Peader Healy. They’ve picked a strong team in the first defence of the McGrath Cup, featuring regulars Michael Shields, Pearse O’Neill, Paul Kerrigan, Colm O’Neill and Alan O’Connor, who is being tried at full-forward, while Paudie Kissane, Noel O’Leary and Donncha O’Connor are on the bench. A whole host of play-
ers are unavailable for a variety of reasons. Tipperary, who lost to Cork in last season’s final, await the winners in the quarter-finals on Sunday week. CORK: D Lordan (Ballincollig); J McLoughlin (Kanturk), M Shields (St Finbarr’s), D Cahalane (Castlehaven); D O’Sullivan (Ballinascarthy), C O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers), S Kiely (Macroom); P O’Neill (Aghada), A O’Sullivan (Castletownbere); J Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers), P Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers), O Mulrooney (Douglas); C O’Neill (Ballyclough), A O’Connor (St Colum’s), L Shorten (Ballingeary). Subs: K O’Halloran (Bishopstown), P Kissane (Clyda Rovers), S Beston (Mitchelstown), N O’Leary (Cill na Martra), C O’Donovan (Valley Rovers), D O’Connor (Ballydesmond).
● See P49 for more.
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TOMORROW RaboDirect Pro12: Munster v Cardiff RTE 2, 7.30pm who has been impressed with Zebo over the last 12 months. Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald has also seen changes in the winger. “Simon has done exceptionally well and probably excelled beyond where we would have thought,” said the CEO. Lady luck has had a bit part to play in the winger’s rise to prominence as well says Fitzgerald. “He’s got a few breaks and he’s taken them. He seems to have a very good temperament regardless of the location of the game. “I think Simon was quite happy to commit to a three-year deal. They weren’t very difficult negotiations even though he had interest from outside of Ireland and outside of the UK. “But Simon is a very level-headed lad and is a very good team player and only interested in doing what’s good for the team.” ● The Park and Ride at the Black Ash will be open for tomorrow night’s game. ● See P46-48 for more.
Simon Zebo is one of three Cork players to sign contract extensions with Munster yesterday.