Injury worries temper Cats' celebrations

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody was last night sweating on the fitness of centre-forward Henry Shefflin and centre-back Brian Hogan ahead of next month’s All-Ireland final after both were forced off with injuries in the first-half of yesterday’s semi-final win against Cork.

Hogan was first to depart in the 15th minute after receiving a heavy blow to this shoulder. The O’Loughlin Gaels player missed a large portion of last season after dislocating his shoulder in the National League final against Tipperary and there had been uncertainty over his fitness in the run-up to yesterday’s game after he injured his finger in training.