Walsh set to recover to face Tipp

KILKENNY’S Hurler of the Year Tommy Walsh looks set to play in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary on September 5 after X-rays yesterday revealed no serious damage to the shoulder damaged in a club game on Sunday.

However, Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty yesterday rubbished reports Henry Shefflin could be set for a sensational return from a cruciate injury for the clash against the Premier County.

Walsh caused near panic on Noreside when he picked up a shoulder injury playing for Tullaroan in a senior hurling league match against James Stephens on Sunday. Walsh hit the deck after a heavy clash with county colleague Jackie Tyrrell and he left the field shortly afterwards.

However, X-rays confirmed that while he damaged the AC joint in his left shoulder, he should be okay for the final.

Walsh joins Hogan (shoulder), Michael Rice (hand) along with cruciate victims Shefflin and John Tennyson on the treatment table as Kilkenny bid for a fifth All-Ireland title in a row.

Shefflin is undergoing intensive treatment with acclaimed physiotherapist Ger Hartmann in Limerick leading to speculation the legendary sharpshooter could play in the showpiece decider. But Fogarty last night deemed such claims “rubbish”.

“The amount of rubbish being spoken is unreal. People have been raving around the country about this. With Henry, everything is being blown out of all proportion. Henry’s cruciate is gone. End of story. Henry is trying to build up the knee so that he is in the best condition possible before he has to face the surgeon.

“If there is something still intact, that’s fine, but if it’s totally gone, the more work he has done to build up the knee pre-operation, the quicker his recovery will be. But therumours are crazy. With the cruciate, when it’s gone, it’s gone.”

So is there any possibility Shefflin will be fit for the All-Ireland final?

Fogarty said: “Only if you believe in miracles.”