Semi-final KO for Cork's Kavanagh

Cork's Derek Kavanagh is a definite non-starter for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kerry.

The influential midfielder might have played his last championship football of the summer after he twisted his ankle in training on Tuesday.

Kavanagh, who had been pencilled in by Rebels boss Billy Morgan to start the semi, went up for a high ball with his Nemo Rangers' club mate David Niblock in a practice match and came off second best.

A subsequent X-ray confirmed ligament damage in Kavanagh's ankle, which had swelled up significantly, and is set to keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks.

Morgan is weighing up his options, with either Martin Cronin or Dermot Hurley to partner Nicholas Murphy at midfield for Sunday's game.

If Cork manage to beat Kerry, in what is a re-match of last month's Munster final, then Kavanagh could come back in for the All-Ireland final, which is four-and-a-half weeks away.