Limerick's Keane facing month's lay-off

Limerick manager Joe McKenna is consigned to being without his star forward Mark Keane for Sunday's NHL Division One final against Kilkenny.

Corner forward Keane has been on fire in the Shannonsiders' League campaign, scoring 4-50 in seven games, but he sustained a groin injury during last weekend's semi-final win over Clare which will rule him out of the decider in Thurles.

Speaking at today's League finals press conference in Dublin, McKenna said: "Mark Keane has a groin injury and it looks like he'll be out for four to five weeks.

"That would include the Munster championship match (against Tipperary) on Sunday two weeks as well. So fingers crossed that we'll have him back for the later stages of the championship."

South Liberties clubman Keane only returned to the Limerick fold this season after falling out with the previous management team.