Shefflin facing lengthy lay-off

KILKENNY attacking star Henry Shefflin is likely to be out of action until next summer’s Leinster championship after limping off in the first-half of yesterday’s All-Ireland decider.

Shefflin severed his cruciate ligament during last month’s semi-final win over Cork and despite intensive treatment with renowned physio Ger Hartmann in the run-up to yesterday clash, he was forced off in the 14th minute. Shefflin will undergo an operation to repair the damage and is facing a lengthy rehabilitation period of at least six months.

Brian Cody refused to use Shefflin’s withdrawal as an excuse.

“It wasn’t about losing Henry at all. We lost Henry the last day and somebody stepped in to take his place. I’ve always said that if someone gets an injury, someone goes off and someone else comes in to take their place. That’s the way it works.Losing Henry the last day didn’t disrupt the team.”

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy expressed his disappointment that Shefflin was forced off.

“I was disappointed. The hurling world deserves to see the best players on the pitch.

“We were coming off at half-time and I just tapped him to say…you want to see all the best players on the pitch but the injury he got meant that he just wasn’t able to function.

“We didn’t want to wish any misfortune on any player. You just want to see everyone play.”