HENRY SHEFFLIN IS set to miss all of Kilkenny’s upcoming Allianz National Hurling League campaign.
The reigning All-Ireland champions open their account against last year’s beaten finalists Tipperary on February 26.
It was expected that the 33-year-old would be absent for a number of league games while he recovers from shoulder surgery after an injury sustained playing for his club Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Kilkenny SHC semi-final.
However, county selector Martin Fogarty has revealed that it could be another four months before the All-Star forward features again for the Cats.
“Henry is miles away,” Fogarty said in today’s Irish Daily Star.
He’s not going to play in the league, not a hope, so you can forget about him for the league anyway.”
The squad, who are currently in Cancun, Mexico, will have six weeks’ preparation under their belt before the meeting with Tipp, a fact which Fogarty welcomed.
“We seem to have a bit of a better run into it. It’s good for everyone I think. Lads coming back off a winter break and having matches too early is not good,” he added.