Paddy Kelly and Colm O'Neill could miss Cork's opening NFL defence against Armagh on Sunday week due to hamstring injuries.

Kelly was replaced late in the first half of last Sunday's McGrath Cup semi-final victory over Cork IT in Pairc Ui Rinn, while O'Neill - who recently returned from a cruciate ligament problem - was substituted in the final quarter. At this stage, it appears certain they will miss Sunday's McGrath Cup final against Tipperary.

Cork selector Ger O'Sullivan told the Irish Examiner: "They're not serious injuries but they're almost certain to be out of the match at the weekend. They will receive treatment this week, but with the Armagh game less than a fortnight away there's a chance they might miss that match as well.

"The one good thing is that both came off straightaway when they realised they were injured.

"Paddy Kelly put his hand up immediately and we brought Fiachra Lynch in, and even though we had all our subs used when Colm pulled up we felt it was best to finish with 14 players than to risk anything."

The Rebels are already planning for Sunday's game without three other injured forwards - Daniel Goulding, Ciaran Sheehan and David Goold. Tweet

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