Cody to miss out on first final

A knee injury has ended Donnacha Cody's hopes of playing in his first All-Ireland SHC final on Sunday.

The Kilkenny corner back, son of manager Brian, is staring at a six-month lay-off after straining the medial ligament in his right knee at the weekend.

Cody made his championship debut against Westmeath back in June. He started the Cats' Leinster final victory over Wexford but has since been benched for the All-Ireland quarter-final and semi-final wins over Galway and Clare.

The news also comes as a blow to Kilkenny Under-21 boss Adrian Finan who is preparing his side for an Erin All-Ireland U-21 final clash with Tipperary on September 10.

Cody has been ever present for the Under-21s this summer, starting at full-back in the wins over Wexford, Dublin and Galway.

Brian Cody is set to name his side for Sunday's Liam McCarthy Cup decider against champions Cork tomorrow night, at the earliest.

The Leinster champions are certain to reshuffle their full-back line with star corner back JJ Delaney another absentee due to the cruciate ligament injury he picked up in training ten days ago.

Cody has rated Delaney as "the best defender" he has ever seen.