Dublin captain James McCarthy and ace forward Con O’Callaghan have emerged as doubts for tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork.
The pair are believed to both have picked up hamstring injuries ahead of the game and are thought unlikely to line out against John Cleary’s side.
With Dublin hot favourites to advance against Cork, the lowest-ranked side left in the Championship based on this year’s League placings, manager Dessie Farrell may opt against risking either player with a possible semi-final against Kerry or Mayo in mind on July 10.
Read next: David Clifford set to start as Kerry name side to face Mayo in All Ireland quarter-finals
If McCarthy and O’Callaghan have been included in the list of 26 players submitted to Croke Park on Thursday morning, Dublin will not be able to replace them if they are deemed unfit to play and will thereby be working off a somewhat depleted squad.
McCarthy is one of the most decorated players in GAA history and was appointed captain by Farrell this year as he chases what would be an outright record of nine All-Ireland senior football medals.
O’Callaghan is the team’s main scoring threat and his absence due to an ankle injury was keenly felt in this year’s Allianz League as Dublin suffered a first relegation in 27 years.
He returned in time for the Championship, however, and has reclaimed top form, hitting a total of 2-13 in runaway wins over Wexford, Meath and Kildare.
If the pair are absent it may give Cork a chink of light as they bid for a shock win and first All-Ireland semi-final appearance since 2012.
Victory for Dublin would secure a semi-final spot for the 13th successive season.
The game throws in at 6pm on Saturday and is preceded by the novel meeting of Derry and Clare (3.45pm) before Sunday's Galway-Armagh (1.45pm) and Kerry-Mayo (4pm) double header, which is expected to attract close to a capacity crowd to Croke Park.
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