Niall McCarthy could yet feature for the Cork hurlers next year.

Speaking to The Irish Examiner, the long-serving forward stressed that his plans to spend time travelling in 2013 shouldn't be seen as an end to his inter-county career.

"I was in contact three weeks ago with Carrigtwohill chairman Denis Walsh and Cork senior hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy to inform them of my decision to travel in the New Year," he said.

"My heart is in the blue and gold jersey of Carrigtwohill and the Rebel jersey. I'm undecided on my travel duration but was glad to be informed by Jimmy Barry-Murphy that the door remains open on my return."

Meanwhile, a member of the Cork management team has informed the same newspaper that John Gardiner could also figure next season, despite the fact that he didn't receive a training programme ahead of the new campaign.

"We are giving around 30 players training programmes to work with and John didn't get one," he said.

"But there is no panel at present. We won't be finalising panels until around February or March of next year, that's a good few months away.

"Just because John didn't get one of those programmes doesn't mean he won't figure next year. We aren't ruling that out. You see other players in other counties who come back into contention and that might happen here as well. John wouldn't be ruled out of our plans." Tweet

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