‘Cha’ back in Cats reckoning but Hickey ruled out of Leinster showdown

JAMES ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick is fit for Kilkenny’s Leinster SHC final against Dublin next Sunday at Croke Park but Noel Hickey has been ruled out.

Fitzpatrick, who missed the thrilling semi-final win over Galway along with Hickey, has recovered from a broken bone in his hand but faces a real fight to get back into the starting line-up.

Derek Lyng produced a powerful performance and scored two points when introduced as a sub against the Tribesmen and is tipped to replace Michael Fennelly at midfield.

But Fennelly’s midfield partner Michael Rice was hugely impressive for the champions against Galway and Fitzpatrick may have to be content with a place on the bench. JJ Delaney will again fill in at full back as Hickey remains a fortnight away from a return because of his knee injury.

Meanwhile, there was good news for manager Brian Cody with the return of centre back Brian Hogan to light training last week.

Kilkenny county board secretary Ned Quinn explained: “Brian is back in light training but is not playing in the games. He’s running but not involved in contact and he’s highly unlikely to play in the Leinster final. Noel Hickey definitely won’t play but ‘Cha’ has the best chance. Noel won’t be back for another fortnight because of knee ligament damage and while ‘Cha’ is back hurling again, whether he is fit enough or not is another question.”

Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald will receive a massive pre-Munster hurling final boost tonight with the return of Kevin Moran to training.

The De La Salle clubman was rated as doubtful to face Tipperary after ankle damage ruled him out of the semi-final replay win over Limerick but Fitzgerald has confirmed Moran will take some part in this evening’s squad session. However, Fitzgerald believes that joint-captain Stephen Molumphy’s chances of featuring in the July 12 showpiece are no better than 70-30 against after he sustained a serious knee injury against the Shannonsiders.

Cruciate ligament damage has now been ruled out and Molumphy was assessed by knee specialist Tadhg O’Sullivan in Waterford yesterday.

However, it is highly unlikely that the Ballyduff player will start the Semple Stadium showdown and his absence will come as another massive setback to the Déise who are definitely without long-term casualties Ken McGrath and Gary Hurney.

Fitzgerald admitted: “Ken was carrying the (knee) injury before the Limerick game but he had played in three great challenge games before that and was absolutely flying. Gary Hurney was in great shape as we saw against Limerick and gave us great aerial threat. They are massive losses but I’m not going to make an issue of it. They’re great fellas but we have to get on with it.”