Injured Rebel Kenny facing race against time as Premier clash looms large

CORK midfielder Tom Kenny is a major doubt for Sunday week’s Munster SHC quarter-final against Tipperary as he faces a race against time to shake off a hamstring injury and prove his fitness for the game.

Kenny sustained the problem while lining out for his club Grenagh in their Cork PIFC tie against St Michael’s on Sunday afternoon.

The injury was incurred when Kenny stretched to gain possession before half-time and despite being moved immediately from his midfield berth into full-forward, he failed to re-emerge for the second-half action.

William Egan, one of the potential replacements if Kenny is ruled out, is also rated doubtful after he damaged shoulder ligaments in a challenge match against Galway on Sunday afternoon. Midfielder Egan was forced out of the action before the interval and the injury also puts into question his availability for the Cork U21’s Munster championship tie against Waterford on June 2nd. Eoin Cadogan has yet to return to training following the foot injury that has kept him sidelined in recent weeks but it is still hoped that he can return to action in time. Attacker Michael Cussen is definitely ruled out with a broken bone in his hand.

Meanwhile there is growing optimism that defender John Miskella may return from injury in time for Cork’s Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry in Killarney on June 6th. Miskella has yet to feature for Cork this season due to a troublesome groin injury but following his second-half appearance for his club Ballincollig in their Cork SFC loss to Douglas on Sunday afternoon, Miskella could now be on course for a comeback.

Miskella now has three weeks in which to prove his fitness and the news will be a boost to manager Conor Counihan who looks set to be without Anthony Lynch (hamstring) and Nicholas Murphy (back) for the game.

Pearse O’Neill is targeting the Fitzgerald Stadium showdown for his intercounty comeback having recovered from the broken thumb that forced him to miss the conclusion to Cork’s NFL Division 1 triumph. O’Neill sustained the injury in training to his right thumb in mid-March but played a key role when lining out at midfield for Aghada in their Cork SFC first round win over Na Piarsaigh last Friday night.

“The thumb is fine now and I’ve no worries over my fitness. It just took time to get it right but I’ve a good run in now to the match in Killarney.”

Meanwhile reigning Cork SFC champions Clonakilty are set to be boosted by the return of several players in time for their third round clash later this summer following Sunday’s first round victory against Dohenys.

Clonakilty were without six of the side that triumphed in last year’s county final but Conrad Murphy and Denis Murphy are set to return shortly from travelling, Colm Calnan should be available after study commitments in Belfast ruled him out on Sunday, and Howard Kenny and David O’Regan will battle to shake off the injury problems that prevented them starting.