Shefflin and Hogan in fitness battle
August 09, 2010
Kilkenny pair Henry Shefflin and Brian Hogan are facing a race against time to be fit for the All-Ireland hurling final after both were forced off with injuries in the first half of yesterday's semi-final.
Hogan left Croke Park with his arm in a sling after receiving a heavy blow to his shoulder in the 15th minute. The centre back missed a large part of last year's championship after dislocating his shoulder in the NHL final against Tipperary and had been a doubtful starter yesterday due to a finger injury.
Shefflin, meanwhile, was withdrawn in the 23rd minute after landing awkwardly on his left knee. The incident happened in the same area of the pitch where he ruptured his cruciate ligament during the 2007 All-Ireland final against Limerick.
Cats boss Brian Cody expressed the hope that the injuries aren't serious and that the pair will be available for the final against either Waterford or Tipperary.
"It's a worry alright," he said.
"Neither of those players would go off easily. We're hoping things aren't as bad as they seemed, but things have to be assessed obviously over the next couple of days.
"They're serious players and it's only a few weeks until the All-Ireland, so we'll be doing everything we can to make sure they are fit. Brian has hurt his shoulder and Henry has hurt his knee, but that's the only information that we have at the moment."
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