Blow for Premier hopes as Kelly breaks ankle

TIPPERARY hurlers suffered a devastating pre-championship blow yesterday when Paul Kelly suffered a broken ankle on club duty with Mullinahone.

Kelly, older brother of five-time All Star and county captain Eoin, sustained the injury during the first half of his club’s 2-18 to 0-10 South SHC victory against Ballybacon/Grange at Monroe.

Ironically, the tragedy struck Kelly during his first game back with Mullinahone since transferring back from Kilkenny outfit O’Loughlin Gaels. Onlookers have indicated that two-time All Star Paul, 31, went down in innocuous fashion before his boot was removed and the player was carried to the dressing room.

Tipperary team doctor Peter Murchan attended to the stricken Kelly who could now be ruled out of the Premier County’s entire championship campaign. The injury has come at the worst possible time for Munster champions Tipperary, seven weeks before the mammoth provincial SHC quarter-final showdown with Cork.

Tipp boss Liam Sheedy is counting the cost of injury problems following a hectic weekend of club fixtures.

Templederry’s Gearóid Ryan, who has been tried at midfield and in attack during the NHL, sustained a broken finger playing against Roscrea. Ryan, 21, now faces a race against time to be fit for the Cork tussle on May 30 as an injury of that nature usually requires four-six weeks out.