Mullally ruled out of Leinster SHC final

ALL-IRELAND champions Kilkenny will be without defender Richie Mullally for the Guinness Leinster SHC final against Wexford on July 6.

Right half back Mullally suffered a broken ankle on Sunday night in a club game with Glenmore against O’Loughlins and manager Brian Cody confirmed that the player will definitely miss the provincial final.

Members of the panel will again be involved in championship games next weekend, with Cody conceding that in such circumstances there is an inherent risk of players picking up injuries.

Meanwhile, the county panel came together for training last night, minus Charlie Carter and Brian McEvoy, both of whom opted out of the panel last week. Cody and co-selectors Noel Skehan and Johnny Walsh have refrained from commenting on their departure, but they are concerned by the loss of Mullally and any possible further injury casualties.

Meanwhile, Waterford captain Tony Browne continues to be a major concern with ankle ligament problems as the Decies prepare for their June 29 provincial final showdown with Cork.

“We are living in hope for Tony, there’s nothing more we can do,”

Waterford county secretary Seamas Grant said yesterday. “Everything that can be medically done for him is being done. It’s in the lap of the Gods really, but there’s no point in trying to minimise the seriousness of his injury.”

On the brighter side for Waterford is the confirmation that another of the casualties of the semi-final replay win over Limerick, Andy Moloney, has fully recovered from the injury that also forced him off in the closing stages with concussion.

“Andy is fully recovered, he is taking a full and very active part in all the training sessions, and thankfully there are no further concerns about his availability for the final,” Seamas Grant said.