Cats survive Limerick test

THE major concern for Kilkenny manager Brian Cody after this fine NHL contest in Nowlan Park yesterday wasn’t how close his side had come to losing to a well-drilledLimerick team — it was the well-being of the two players simultaneously stretchered off the field after a sickening accidental collision.

Gangling Limerick newcomer David Breen had troubled Kilkenny stand-in full-back Brian Hogan through all of the first half, and both went hard but fair into the first high centre towards the Kilkenny goal after the restart. The impact was enormous and after several minutes, and to generous applause, both were removed by ambulance to hospital.

“I’m waiting to hear how Brian Hogan is,” was Brian Cody’s immediate post-game reaction. “It’s a big worry, he’s potentially got a serious injury, as has the Limerick chap, which is very unfortunate.”