TIPPERARY’S SENIOR FOOTBALLERS are reeling from an injury blow ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Louth at Semple Stadium.
Key midfielder George Hannigan has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a groin problem.
The news has been confirmed by selector Mick O’Loughlin as Tipp look to recover from their six-point Munster semi-final loss to Kerry.
Hannigan, 28, had been enjoying arguably his most consistent season in a Tipp shirt before he was injured in the first half against the Kingdom.
After being replaced on a temporary basis in the first half, the flame-haired Shannon Rovers man went off at half-time.
It is understood that the severe nature of Hannigan’s injury could keep him out of action until January.
O’Loughlin said: “George is a huge loss and had been playing very well this year.
“People could see that when he went off against Kerry, we started to lose the midfield battle.”
Hannigan netted in the first minute for one of Tipperary’s four goals against Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier opponents Louth when the sides met in a Division 3 Allianz League fixture in March.
Tipp are also monitoring the fitness of towering midfielder Steven O’Brien, who tweaked a hamstring playing in a challenge match between the Tipperary and Galway U21 hurlers over the weekend.
Ian Fahey is also considered doubtful for the visit of the Wee County to Semple Stadium with a hamstring problem.
