Broken finger rules DJ out of Kilkenny’s clash with Galway

THE DJ Carey injury jinx has struck again. After only three inter-county games since his dramatic return after a prolonged series of injuries last season, the Kilkenny hurling star has been laid low again.

The 31-year-old broke a finger in a weekend challenge match against All-Ireland club finalists, Birr, and he will miss Sunday’s league clash against Galway at Nowlan Park. In fact, with the league action coming up on a weekly basis after the weekend series of matches, Carey could miss four games as Kilkenny defend the title.

“This is a setback for DJ but his bad luck could be an opportunity for another member of the panel,” said Kilkenny manager, Brian Cody.

Better news for the defending champions was that Charlie Carter and Noel Hickey are ready to resume again after missing the opening round victory over Waterford.

Meanwhile, Cork’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan has quit inter-county football to concentrate all his energies on hurling.

He becomes the third Cork player in recent years to opt out of dual involvement and follows in the footsteps of Brian Corcoran and Sean Óg Ó hAilpín.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in sport, and hopefully I don’t live to regret it because I honestly feel there is an All-Ireland in the Cork football team”, said O’Sullivan.

“Hurling was always my first love. There is no secret in that, but in recent times I felt my hurling had slipped from what it was because of my dual involvement.

“I couldn’t afford to let it slip any further.

“There are a lot of new faces on the hurling scene bursting to be part of the action and there is tremendous competition for places.

“If I’m to retain my place, I had to make a decision to concentrate on one code. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve no other choice. The demands on inter-county players is too great now.

“You cannot serve two masters. It’s not possible to juggle both codes any more. I sincerely hope I don’t regret the decision.

“The one fear I have in making my decision is that I’ll miss out on what I feel are the good times for Cork football. They are due a change of fortune, and I wish them every success.

“From now on all my energies will be concentrated on hurling. I want to get back to the standard I was at two years ago. There is a lot of hard work to be done, but I’m ready for that”.

O’Sullivan’s loss to the footballers comes at a time when team coach Larry Tompkins can least afford it.

Already he is without the Nemo Rangers players because of their upcoming All-Ireland club final.

And he is also without Fionan Murray who is serving an eight week ban.

To add to Tompkins problems, Bernie Collins who retired at half time in Saturday night’s thrilling victory over Galway is out of the game against Dublin next Sunday in Parnell Park.

He has damaged shoulder ligaments.