Shefflin’s ‘tentative’ steps back

ANYONE closely watching Henry Shefflin in Wexford Park last Saturday will have noticed how freer he moved as Kilkenny’s Leinster semi-final developed.

The nine-time All Star’s initial few action exchanges were hesitant ones as he visibly eased himself back into his first competitive game since re-damaging his cruciate in last year’s All-Ireland final.

Former Kilkenny players who watched him in training games in Nowlan Park in recent weeks spoke of grimacing every time Shefflin went in for a challenge or twisted or turned.