Shefflin edging closer to return, says Quinn

KILKENNY secretary Ned Quinn believes Henry Shefflin could be back hurling later this month.

The former Hurler of the Year has been out of the game since aggravating a knee cruciate injury in September’s All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Tipperary.

Quinn said: “Henry is progressing very well, I would expect to see him back with Ballyhale before the end of May.”

And he revealed many of the county’s top stars are recuperating well from injuries.

“Richie Power played with Carrickshock last week and will play with them again next week. Michael Fennelly will be 50/50 to play with Ballyhale next week. Tommy Walsh played with Tullaroan last week and aggravated his injury, but knowing Tommy, he’ll definitely play with the club again this week. Whether that’s the right thing or not is irrelevant, he’s going to play, so we’ll have to wait and see how that works out.

“Those are all big players for Kilkenny, but you have to acknowledge that a lot of counties are now in the mix, so we’re going to have a rattling championship.”