Aisake ó hAilpín returns to Australia

Aisake ó hAilpín has returned to Australia and will not be available to the Cork hurlers next year, according to his brother, Seán Óg.

Aisake returned to Ireland in 2008, having spent three years at Australian Rules outfit Carlton Blues, for whom his brother Setanta plays.

Ó hAilpín enjoyed a great start to this year’s championship, playing a starring role against Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster championship, but failed to hit similar heights in the rest of the Rebels’ championship campaign.

He was taken off at half-time in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny and Seán Óg has revealed that his disappointment at that and the decision of manager Denis Walsh to put an end to Seán Óg’s career with the Cork hurlers, were key factors in his decision to return Down Under.

"He's not going back to Cork," Sean Óg ó hAilpín said.

"Aisake went back to Australia a couple of weeks ago. He just couldn't face going back to play for Cork.

"He was gutted against Kilkenny. The most hurtful thing was that there was no explanation. The only chance we had of getting a goal was Aisake. He went off and that was that.

"He came back from Australia with the intention of giving it one hell of a shot. Denis Walsh said to him to get himself ready over the winter, but after my situation, he said 'my time here is done'."