CORK will not rush any player back for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC Round 1 clash with Meath, insists manager John Cleary.

Forward Brian Hurley (groin) and Dara Sheedy (hamstring) missed the Munster final and, along with defender Sean Brady (hamstring), all three are expected to sit out the Páirc Uí Rinn encounter. Cleary also pointed to the three-week break that follows the Meath game as an important factor in their recovery.

‘It looks like Dara and Brian probably won’t make it for Saturday now. We’ll see as the week goes on, but it’s probably not looking positive at this stage. Unless they’re 100 percent, we wouldn’t throw them into a game like this,’ Cleary confirmed.

‘They’re back out on the pitch, yeah, but there’s a big difference between running on a pitch and taking part competitively.

‘There’s no point in anyone going out there unless they’re fully fit. If they’re any bit short and pick up the injury again, you could lose them for the season.’

On Sean Brady, who was injured after coming on in the Munster final defeat, Cleary added: ‘Sean is out for the weekend as well. He picked up a hamstring injury after coming on against Kerry. We have a three-week break after Saturday, so he’ll be working away with the medical team and we’ll see if he can get back for the next game.’

The Cork boss also welcomed the upcoming break after this weekend’s All-Ireland opener.

‘If you have injuries, it definitely helps. It’s probably the first proper break we’ve had since the start of the season really. The weeks have been handing up fairly quickly, so it gives lads a chance to recover and get their bodies right.’