When Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry Murphy announced yesterday that Donal Óg Cusack would not be a part of the Cork panel for this year’s Allianz hurling league the reaction from most around the country was one of surprise. The Cloyne goalkeeper is synonymous with Cork hurling and a decision to drop him was always going to shock outside observers.

Cusack missed out on last year’s championship due to injury but was expected to return to the Cork panel for this year’s league season. The 36 year old has won 3 All Ireland titles and 5 Munster titles with Cork.

Alan Browne was on the 1999 All Ireland winning side, which also included Cusack and he has been talking to Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan about Jimmy Barry Murphy’s decision to drop the Cork hurling legend and why this could be the sign that JBM is looking to change the way things work in Cork.

The Blackrock man also said the decision is “100 per cent hurling” and won’t be based on “previous arguments in dressing rooms and that kind of thing”.

Photo credit: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer