Cronin and McLoughlin set to miss Cork’s clash with Clare

Cork have been struck by a double injury blow less than a fortnight before their Munster SHC semi-final clash with Clare, with captain Patrick Cronin and influential midfielder Lorcan McLoughlin unlikely to start for the Rebels.

McLoughlin fell heavily at training on Tuesday night and left the field as a precaution with an injured shoulder. He was scanned yesterday in hospital and diagnosed with torn shoulder ligaments. The stand-out player for Cork in this year’s league campaign, McLoughlin is considered very doubtful for the Clare game.

A definitive decision will be made early next week on Cork captain Patrick Cronin’s availability for the Munster SHC semi-final with Clare on Sunday week, with the player in a “race against time” to be fit for the game.