Cork hurlers worry over major injury concerns ahead of Munster opener against Tipp in Thurles

Tipperary’s preparations for their Munster SHC opener have been given an early boost with Cork facing a number of injury concerns ahead of the clash in Thurles.

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Cork are sweating on the fitness of Seán O’Donoghue, whose availability will be determined following the results of a scan on a hamstring injury picked up in last weekend’s Allianz HL Division 1A final defeat to Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The Inniscarra man was forced off just before half-time in that game, and speaking during the week, Cork manager Ben O’Connor admitted there are fears the defender could miss the meeting with Tipperary.

According to the The Cork Echo, O’Connor said:“Seán O'Donoghue could be in bother, I'd say.

“He did a hamstring; a hamstring is two or three weeks anyway. He's going for a scan this evening or tomorrow morning.

“He got a knock on Sunday just before half-time and the hamstring as well. I think he got a knock in the back and he came off for a bit of treatment. But he had a pinch in his hamstring as well.

“We'll know more tomorrow about that I'd say but at the moment it looks like he's in a bit of bother.”

O’Donoghue is not Cork’s only concern, with Diarmuid Healy also set to miss the trip to Thurles due to a quad injury. The forward is expected to be unavailable for the subsequent meeting with Limerick as well.

O’Connor indicated that Healy, who has been sidelined for a number of weeks, will not be rushed back into action.

Tipperary will be keeping a close eye on developments as they continue their build-up to the provincial opener in Thurles.

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