Cahalane unlikely to return for Rebels in 2027

Cork's Damien Cahalane with Brian Duignan of Offaly ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Damien Cahalane is reportedly unlikely to feature in Ben O’Connor’s Cork senior hurling squad for the 2027 season.

The St Finbarr’s defender made his senior debut for the Rebels in 2012 and went on to establish himself as a regular over the following decade.

Cahalane has collected four Munster SHC medals, in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2025, having started in each of those provincial finals. He also won an Allianz Hurling League medal last year and was part of three Cork sides beaten in All-Ireland finals in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

A former senior footballer with the Leesiders, Cahalane has also won four county senior football championships with Castlehaven and a Cork senior hurling title with St Finbarr’s.

The 33-year-old expected departure comes amid a period of change within the Cork panel, following Seamus Harnedy's recent retirement while Declan Dalton has also been omitted from the squad.