Kilkenny shares Shefflin’s pain

LEADING Kilkenny GAA figures last night rallied around crestfallen star Henry Shefflin and insisted he will return to full fitness from a fresh cruciate injury blow.

The Cats’ legend has been ruled out of next month’s All-Ireland hurling final after a scan and consultation yesterday with renowned surgeon Dr Tadhg O’Sullivan at the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford. Shefflin sustained the damage to his left knee during the first-half of Sunday’s semi-final win over Cork, the second occasion he has endured such agony after tearing the cruciate in his right knee during the 2007 All-Ireland final. Shefflin will now be denied the chance of a record ninth All-Ireland senior hurling medal on the field of play in the September 5 showdown and last night expressed his devastation at the news.

“I am so disappointed I don’t know how I feel. I was hoping against hope that it was something else but the surgeon has confirmed my worst fears. I heard some pop. I had an idea I was in a bit of trouble but I was hoping it wasn’t what I feared it might be. I am devastated.”