Injury keeps Anthony Lynch out of semi clash

Anthony Lynch has been ruled out of the Cork team for Sunday week’s Munster SFC showdown with Kerry.

“He’s definitely out,” Cork manager Billy Morgan told the Evening Echo. "He had an X-ray yesterday and it showed that he had cracked his collar-bone. This is a huge blow for us.”

Lynch picked up the injury playing for Naomh Abán in their county championship defeat to Clonakilty two weeks ago.

He finished that game, but did so in some discomfort. Although he travelled to Wexford last weekend, he did not tog out.

“Initially, we were very concerned because we knew that he had damaged ligaments around his collarbone,” confirmed Cork team doctor Con Murphy.

“But the real setback came when the X-ray revealed that the collar-bone was cracked.

“His chances of playing are very, very slim. He will be available for Cork’s next game in the championship, be it the Munster final or an All-Ireland qualifier match.

“It’s just a great pity for Anthony, because he put so much into getting ready for this game and to have it taken away now is very cruel,” said Dr Murphy.

Meanwhile, Philip Clifford has also been ruled out of the Kerry match, as a result of a persistent knee injury.

Clifford will have an operation on his knee to solve a cartilage problem, and has been ruled out for a minimum of four weeks.

Cork’s only other injury concern is Nicholas Murphy, who has been niggled by a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but will be fit for Sunday week.