UPDATE: Tipperary brace for return of Kilkenny talisman as injury updates vary for the Cats
Tipperary will face Kilkenny this coming Sunday in Croke Park
As Tipperary gear up for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Kilkenny, the Premier County will be closely watching developments in the opposition camp, with Derek Lyng’s side dealing with a string of injury concerns ahead of the Croke Park showdown.
Kilkenny, who were beaten at the same stage by eventual champions Clare last year, are looking to end their longest All-Ireland drought since the 1990s.
Tipperary, meanwhile, are back in the semi-finals for the first time since their 2019 All-Ireland triumph and will be hoping to capitalise on any vulnerability in the Cats’ ranks.
The Leinster champions have had to contend with several injury issues throughout the campaign, and the loss of Dicksboro forward Harry Shine to a long-term setback is the latest blow.
"We've lost Harry Shine, he did his ACL last week in training which is unfortunate for him, particularly at this stage of his career, but at the same time, he's done a huge amount of work and he'll get his head down and hopefully have surgery in the next couple of weeks," Lyng said during a media briefing at UPMC Nowlan Park on Monday.
"He's going to have a road ahead of him but he'll get through that as well," he continued.
"It's unfortunate to lose him, I feel sorry for him but he'll be back at some stage but unfortunately this season is over."
Tipperary supporters will take note of the continued disruption to Kilkenny's squad, with Shine's absence following news that Marty Murphy has also been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
There was some more mixed news for Kilkenny, with Mossy Keoghan picking up a hamstring strain, though it's not expected to keep him out of contention for the semi-final.
One positive for the Cats, however, is the return of key forward Eoin Cody, who has been out for a portion of the season but is now pushing for a starting place.
"Eoin (Cody) is available for selection again so he's come through the last few weeks, he's done well and worked hard. Even in the run up to the Leinster final, he was pushing hard," Lyng said, adding, "thankfully he's come through now."
With both sides hungry for a place in the final, Sunday’s encounter promises to be another classic in the storied Tipperary and Kilkenny rivalry.