Tipperary preparations hit by injuries to Mahers
The Borrisoleigh man has been recovering from a calf problem sustained in last Sunday week’s drawn game, while ‘Bonner’ hurt his quad in a tackle with Paul Curran in training on Wednesday.
Selector Paudie O’Neill leaned towards the pair being available for action on September 27 but stressed their training for it will be hampered.
“You’re just hoping things will come right. It’s more the fact that their preparation has been a bit affected. We’d be hopeful that on the day they’ll be there. Last week it wasn’t that important because we were just recovering but this week we’re trying to get a bit of work done. You’d want them on the field.”
Meanwhile, O’Neill revealed forward Niall O’Meara has returned from the US to be available for the replay.
The Kilruane McDonaghs man had left the day after the final as part of a college placement but came back on the Wednesday to return to training.
After recovering from a thumb injury, O’Meara had not been part of the match-day panel for the original game but is in the shake-up for the replay.
O’Neill said O’Meara’s decision underlines his commitment to the cause. “I think it reflects the level of interest he has in it. He wasn’t one of our 26 the last day because of his injuries and it wasn’t that there was pressure put on him — he volunteered to come back. They (the players) probably knew he was coming back before he did. But once he came it, it must have been a boost.”
O’Neill added: “He is back training after a fractured thumb so he in back in action and he is definitely coming back to make a statement.”
