Former Kerry football star Aodhan MacGearailt assisted Cork hurling boss Gerald McCarthy at last Sunday's trial match in Pairc Ui Rinn. The trial was attended by 29 players, most of who played in the recent challenge match against St. Colman's College, Fermoy. McCarthy is pressing ahead with preparations for 2009, despite the continued absence of last year's panel, but has yet to replace trainer Jerry Wallis or selector Donie Collins on his management team. The presence of former All-Ireland winner MacGearailt, who is a PE teacher in Carrigaline Community School, has given rise to speculation that he could come on board as trainer for next season. It would be entirely ironic if this were to happen given that MacGearailt caused his fair share of problems for the Cork football defence during his own playing career, and famously scored two goals in the 1999 Munster final against the Rebels before going on to start at wing forward for the Kingdom in the 2000 All-Ireland final victory over Galway. Still only 30, MacGearailt's appearances for An Ghaeltacht since their appearance in the 2004 All-Ireland club final have been limited due to injury. His brother played for Ballygarvan in the club's run to this year's Cork junior football final, and it has been speculated that Aodhan could also transfer his allegiances to the South East Cork club next year. Tweet

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