Ryan in race against time for final fitness

KILKENNY goalkeeper PJ Ryan has returned to training for the first time since breaking his arm against Wexford, but faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s All-Ireland final clash with Limerick.

The Fenians clubman was allowed to participate in half of Saturday’s squad session by team medics and tasted his first piece of hurling action since he was injured in the semi-final.

Kilkenny team selector Martin Fogarty revealed that Ryan had to contend with a complication when a six-inch wound from an operation to insert a metal plate in his arm became infected.

However, Fogarty confirmed that Ryan lined out between the sticks during an A v B game and was strong enough to take puck-outs.

Fogarty said: “He looked decent, all things considered, but we’ll have to wait a day or two to see how the injury reacts and whether he can move it on a step.

“PJ took a full part in half of the training session, but he was pushing it at that.

“Realistically he shouldn’t be thinking of pucking a ball for another fortnight, but he’s obviously very keen to play.

“He got through half a session which was as much as the medics were going to give him. He was withdrawn at that stage and you can’t come straight back in and do 100% on the first night back.”

Meanwhile, full-back Noel Hickey also took a full part in half of the weekend session as he completes a full recovery from a hamstring injury.

Fogarty added: “We’re giving him a certain amount of time and, if he’s passed fit, we’ll sit down and pick a team based on what lads are available. As things stand, all players are 100%, bar Noel Hickey and PJ Ryan.”

Ryan’s father, also known as PJ, was reserve goalkeeper to Noel Skehan when Kilkenny defeated Limerick in the last meeting of the counties in a final in 1974.

Meanwhile, the Limerick management are in the happy position of having no injury concerns ahead of the final.

Selector Gary Kirby reported a clean bill of health yesterday, following their week-end training. The selectors met last night to decide on their line-out and it will be revealed to the players when they assemble for training at 7pm this evening.

The speculation is that they will name an unchanged team. And if they do, regular half-forward Niall Moran will have to be satisfied with a substitute’s role, the same as James O’Brien (son of 1973 medal-winner Jim O’Brien) who is the nominated captain.

They were two of four changes made during the course of the semi-final win over Waterford.