For the second time in six years, the Cork senior hurling team withdrew their services in sympathy with the Cork senior football team who had also refused to play due to the appointment of Teddy Holland as team manager and the changing of the rules regarding the selection committee. Because of this, Cusack and his teammates failed to fulfil their opening two fixtures in the 2008 National League. On 19 July, Cusack was red carded for the only time in his inter-county career after dragging Galway's Alan Kerins to the ground in an All-Ireland Qualifier.