Injuries mounting up in relentless club hurling schedule
The final round of the league takes place this weekend
It was someway inevitable given that there is a league schedule of five games in six weeks with championship commencing just a week later but there have been a number of high profile injuries during club fare over the last few days and weeks.
Just last weekend, two Kilkenny stars were seen hobbling off during senior league action with Eoin Murphy and Eoin Cody having to be helped leave the field for their respective clubs last Saturday.
Murphy was having a fine game in his new look position in the full back line as Glenmore grabbed their first win of the year at the expense of Thomastown but it came at a big cost to the 34 year-old as he shipped a big knock from fellow county star John Donnelly.
Murphy’s arm is now in a sling and with so many games coming together, he looks set for a spell on the sidelines.
Later that same afternoon, Eoin Cody was on his way to a man of the match type display as Shamrocks took on near neighbours Mullinavat but in a foot or ankle problem that he looked to pick up in the early stages of the game which flared up again late on meant he had to be helped off the pitch by the Ballyhale physio.
Shamrocks only welcomed TJ Reid back from injury in that same game and they still have doubts over the likes of Adrian Mullen and Colin Fennelly ahead of facing into a crunch round one championship game with James Stephens the weekend after next and they themselves have their own issues with Niall Brassil set to miss the remainder of the campaign.
There are sure to be more bumps and bruises in the coming weeks and whoever has the strongest panel may be the one’s left standing when all is said and done and as it stands defending senior champions O’Loughlin Gaels do seem to boast the required star power in that area and as they are already in a league final, they may get the chance to test that strength in depth with a dead rubber type contest with Shamrocks on Saturday.
That is just one of six senior games that commence around the county at 2pm on Saturday as the league comes to its conclusion.
As already mentioned Shamrocks and James Stephens are already assured of being in the bottom four where they will also be joined by Erin’s Own and this week’s games will decide whether it’s Dicksboro or Glenmore that joins them in the drop zone.
Nearer the top of the table, we will also find out the final pairings for the league and shield finals who maybe more importantly will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals of the championship.
Bennettsbridge, Thomastown and Tullaroan all currently sit on six points but after beating the other two on the head to head, Thomastown will be favourites to finish in first position as a win over Dicksboro in Gowran will assure them of that spot regardless of the results in the other games.
As well as the senior grade, it’s still all to play for at the lower two tiers with the Intermediate and Junior Leagues also coming to their conclusion on Sunday afternoon in what is sure to be a dramatic weekend of action.