Offaly football star Cathal Flynn is unlikely to play again until 2027 after being told he needs a second operation on his injured shoulder.

The reigning Offaly Footballer of the Year and playmaker underwent surgery in January and was expected to be out of action for up to six months. But it has now emerged that he will remain sidelined for the rest of the year, meaning he will miss out on a potential Tailteann Cup medal and Ferbane’s club championship campaign. Offaly joint-managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly are also resigned to being without goalkeeper Paddy Dunican (ACL) and defender John Furlong (knee) for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Ferbane and Belmont have been boosted by the return of dual star Leon Fox from Dreadnots in Louth.

The Drogheda-based garda transferred to the Clogherhead club last year after declaring for the Louth hurlers and lining out at centre back in their 2025 Allianz League Division 4 success. A vastly-experienced and physically-strong player, Fox won Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh Cup medals with the Offaly hurlers in 2021 and ’24 respectively, and has also represented the Faithful County in senior football.

Tweet

Most Read Stories