Carey hoping Cats can succeed without Shefflin

Kilkenny's former All Star and All Ireland winner DJ Carey's raising questions about whether his native county will be able to cope with the loss of Henry Shefflin ahead of the 2010 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final against Tipperary.

Tullaroan's Tommy Walsh is also an injury victim ahead of the September showpiece and repeat of last year's decider but X-rays have indicated that he is in with a chance of making the match.

While everyone has to be replacable and Kilkenny's squad is one of the strongest the game has ever seen DJ reckons Shefflin is the "engine" of the current black and amber machine and wonders if they can cope without him.

Meanwhile former Tipp captain Tommy Dunne reckons his native county need to improve further to have any chance of blocking the Cats drive for five despite their impressive showing against Waterford at the weekend.

The duo along with current Kilkenny forward star Eddie Brennan attended a photocall announcing plans by championship sponsors Guinness to chopper a group of lucky fans to GAA HQ on big match day.

The Graigue Ballycallan clubman admitted that he and his fellow players were susprised at the ease with which they overcame Cork to make it back into this year's final.