Woodlock facing eight-month lay-off

TIPPERARY star James Woodlock could be out of action for up to eight months after breaking two bones in his leg during Sunday’s SHC final.

Woodlock was stretchered off deep in stoppage time after sustaining the injury and drifted in and out of consciousness with sheer pain as he was being removed from the pitch.

The Drom & Inch captain was due to undergo surgery at Waterford Regional hospital last night and faces a tough rehabilitation process, including some time in a protective casing, as he aims to rebuild his promising career.

Woodlock, 23, suffered a double shin fracture during an accidental collision with Tipperary team-mate Pádraic Maher, a member of the victorious Thurles Sarsfields team.

Drom & Inch club secretary Alice Costello said: “James is having an operation and will have pins inserted. He was passing out with the pain and we were very concerned at the time.”

The player’s father, also James, explained: “It’s just hard luck but please God he will mend up quick.

“It’s only my opinion but you could be looking at 7-8 months out of action with a break like that.”

Drom & Inch club officials paid tribute to the swift action of medics, including Tipperary team doctor Peter Murchin, as they treated Woodlock under the Kinane Stand before he was removed to hospital.

Family members, friends and Drom & Inch club members stayed behind until Woodlock was safely transferred to hospital while Thurles Sarsfields players had applauded the midfielder off the pitch.

It appears certain that Woodlock will miss the start of next year’s National Hurling League but if his recovery goes to plan, he should be fit in time for the concluding stages of the competition and next summer’s championship.

Meanwhile Tipperary will not compete in next year’s Munster intermediate hurling and junior football championships if a proposal to withdraw from those competitions is passed at tonight’s county board meeting.

The proposal has been brought forward by the Premier County’s executive committee and will be considered by delegates this evening. County board top brass have cited a lack of interest in the two competitions and believe they do not serve any purpose for Tipperary at this time.

Financially, officials believe that money spent on the preparation of these two teams for the Munster championships could be better used elsewhere.

Tipperary have not won a game in the Munster junior football championship since 2003 and suffered a 15-points defeat against Cork in this year’s Munster intermediate hurling championship quarter-final. It is understood that the Munster Council is not pleased with the prospect of Tipperary removing themselves but there could be room for manoeuvre.

A Tipperary source explained: “You could find in this situation that Munster Council may enter into negotiations as regards the structure of the championships.

“If we’re allowed maybe to play a team of promising U24 players (from all grades), for example, there could be a solution.”

Meanwhile, Tipperary have confirmed a glamour senior football challenge against Cork at Grangemockler on Saturday, October 31, as part of the ongoing 125 celebrations.

A bumper day is planned for Sunday, November 1, when Thurles Sarsfields will take on their Cork counterparts Newtownshandrum in the AIB Munster championship at Semple Stadium.