Both leagues had many stars absent, but how many will return for the championship?
BACK FOR MORE: Dessie Farrell confirmed on Sunday that the All-Star goalkeeper is back in training. Ethan Rafferty has been sidelined with a broken leg and Rory Beggan is Stateside. Pic Credit: Tom Maher, Inpho.
Both Allianz Leagues have been full of stories about the absent almost as much as the present.
Just how many of the two teams below will we see return to action in the championship?
Murphy started last year’s All-Ireland semi-final but Darach Fahy was favoured for all five of the county’s Division 1B games.
The former young hurler of the year and two-time All-Star was supposed to return before the end of the league proper but has yet to make his seasonal bow.
Injured in a Walsh Cup game against Galway in January, O’Donnell is considered a doubt by Micheál Donoghue for the start of the provincial championship.
English incurred another cruciate injury ahead of last year’s All-Ireland final and the hope is he is competing for a squad place during the summer.
The St Annes man had minor back surgery earlier this year and is not expected to be back until the middle of the Leinster championship.
A case of softly goes it for the talismanic defender who cruelly ruptured his Achilles heel in the opening Munster SHC round loss to Limerick last April.
It was with some relief that Darren Gleeson last week announced the likes of Bohill, James McNaughton and Michael Bradley are back training after lengthy lay-offs.
After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Kilkenny last July, Taylor is on the road to recovery but faces a race to be fit for the championship.
One of the highlights for Tipperary in their largely forgettable 2022 season, Browne required surgery on a knee problem 13 months ago and has yet to return.
Like his brother Damien, Cahalane was given time after Castlehaven’s run to an All-Ireland SFC semi-final but wasn’t one of the 34 Cork players used in the league.
Another ankle operation has sidelined the Clare captain. However, he should feature in the Munster SHC and possibly from the outset against Limerick on April 21.
O’Donnell had indicated he wouldn’t be playing for the third consecutive league and it’s hardly done the All-Star any harm.
So bad was Cooney’s hamstring tear against Wexford in the Walsh Park that it required surgery and he is a long-term absentee.
Power has not been available to Pat Ryan this spring. Shoulder surgery following an injury sustained with Blarney means he is unlikely to be back until May.
It’s difficult to believe O’Connor is 26 this year. He was given time off during last year’s league and after a series of injuries it appears he is being minded once more.
Dessie Farrell confirmed on Sunday that the All-Star goalkeeper is back in training. Ethan Rafferty has been sidelined with a broken leg and Rory Beggan is Stateside.
The seasoned Crossmaglen Rangers defender missed out on a lot of club football too due to a hip operation last September. He has had wrist difficulties too.
Like fellow veteran Cluxton, we’ve not seen head nor tail of Fitzsimons over the seven league rounds. It’s not as if he has to prove himself at this stage.
Ward went under the knife for a hamstring tendon tear picked up in training. Making the All-Ireland series is an aspiration.
From pelvic bone issues to torn foot arches, O’Neill has overcome major injury blows before although he’s nowhere to be seen this year.
The sense is wily Harnan and fellow defender Ronan Ryan will be right for the Leinster SFC if not the Sam Maguire Cup.
Another solid utility player who Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan will be hoping can put his hand up for selection come the county’s Ulster quarter-final next month.
Breen impressed in the 2021 championship before a serious hamstring injury hit him in early ’22. He returned last year but was held back by an early season ankle issue.
Pneumonia struck Gray down in February and an operation was required. Gray had been hampered by a shoulder issue before that.
Meyler came back four weeks after breaking his tibia to line out in the 2018 All-Ireland final but his assuredness was badly missed at times during this league.
The Carbery Rangers man played for his club in a league game this past weekend as he builds up his match fitness ahead of next month’s Limerick game.
It’s been a slow but necessary recovery for O’Donnell from foot surgery late last summer and he suffered a cruciate tear five years ago.
One of the leading lights for The Royals in last year’s Tailteann Cup success, Morris had been laid low since a knee operation before Christmas.
Shane Walsh saw some league action at the start yet 2023 All-Star nominee Comer has remained absent throughout the seven rounds with a hamstring difficulty.
There is no question about O’Mahony’s potential and yet he has unable to realise it through a catalogue of injuries, the latest a quad issue which needed surgery.
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