Shefflin will not play unless given all-clear by medical advisers

KILKENNY will not risk Henry Shefflin in Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Waterford in Croke Park unless he is given the all-clear to line out by his medical advisers.

Shefflin has not returned to training since undergoing minor surgery on his right eye last Saturday night, after being injured in controversial circumstances against Clare earlier in the day.

Last night manager Brian Cody confirmed that his selection would “absolutely” be down to medical advice. “Henry’s eye is much more important than any match essentially at the end of the day.

“I think everybody would agree with that.

“He is just an inspirational player for all of us. I have been involved with him since he came into the inter-county set-up and to see his career go the way it has gone has been tremendous.

“The big thing with Henry - and I have always said the same thing about D.J. (Carey) - is, first and foremost, he is an outstanding team player.

“There’s no frills, no showmanship with Henry Shefflin. He just gets out there and works really hard for the team.

“His work rate will not be bettered by any player from either team on Sunday.”

Revealing that the team will be finalised at the earliest tomorrow night, Cody said that the selectors will be guided by Dr Tadhg Crowley and the advice he receives from the eye surgeon who treated Shefflin.

“There will be no chances taken. If he is a fraction off being perfect he won’t play,” added Cody.

“That’s the way it is.

“Naturally, we’d love to have him playing, I think every team would love to have Henry Shefflin playing.”

Elsewhere, Wexford’s forward ace Paul Carley is in a race against time to be fit for Sunday week’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final with Cork.

Carley damaged ankle ligaments when assisting his club Glynn-Barntown in last Saturday evening’s county senior football championship against Sarsfields.

And Wexford manager John Conran has admitted that the wing-forward’s prospects of playing are not wonderful at the moment.

“We have to wait until the swelling goes down on Paul’s ankle before the extent of the injury can be fully assessed. It doesn’t look good at this stage, but we are hoping against hope that he will be okay.

“The only good thing is the ankle is not broken but it’s by no means 100% that he’s out.”

Conran is also concerned as to the fitness prospects of centre-forward Eoin Quigley who has not trained for two weeks having picked up a hamstring injury in his club, St Martin’s, senior hurling championship tie.

“Eoin’s hamstring is still a concern for us,” said Conran. “The only thing he can do now is rest and be given some treatment, and hopefully he will be alright.”