Cats in dark over Shefflin rehab

Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty says Henry Shefflin doesn’t as yet know if his ankle operation has been a success.

The 2012 hurler of the year is one of at least six players Kilkenny will be without for the start of their Division One title defence against Galway in Pearse Stadium on Sunday week.

“There is no word on the ankle yet,” said Fogarty of Shefflin’s surgery, which took place in late December.

“It’s a wait-and-see job. We’re not any wiser or any less wiser about it. He’s still not at the stage where he’ll be able to know whether it has been a success or not,” he added.

John Tennyson is also out of the trip to Galway having damaged his hamstring playing Fitzgibbon Cup hurling for UCD.

Cillian Buckley and Richie Doyle also miss out while Michael Rice (hand) and TJ Reid, having been injured in the latter stages of last year’s successful All-Ireland championship.

“John is not training and is only doing some mild recovery stuff. Unless he goes to Lourdes, he won’t be playing in the first league match. TJ is a long way off being fit. He had the pins removed and has a good bit to go yet. Michael Rice is similar. He’s progressing and doing what he can.”

Meanwhile, former Clare player Tony Griffin is believed to have joined the Dublin hurlers in an unofficial backroom capacity.

The 2006 All Star wore a Dublin tracksuit during the team’s Walsh Cup final win over Wexford on Sunday.