KILKENNY HAVE INSISTED that Eoin Larkin will feature in Kilkenny’s All-Ireland senior hurling final clash with Galway on Sunday week, 6 September.
It is understood that the James Stephens clubman sustained a hand injury during the course of a weekend training camp at Fota Island.
There are unconfirmed reports that Larkin, 31, suffered a broken thumb but county board PRO Seamus Reade told The42 this afternoon that he expects the seven-time All-Ireland medallist to line out against the Tribesmen.
“He will be ok for the final,” Reade insisted.
“He had a bit of an injury alright but it’s not as bad as first feared, that’s what I’ve been told.”
When asked if Larkin has broken his thumb, Reade replied: “I haven’t heard that. All I know is that I’ve been informed that he will be ok for the final.”
Another James Stephens clubman, Jackie Tyrrell, is unlikely to be fit in time after undergoing ankle surgery recently and potentially losing Larkin would have represented a significant blow to Kilkenny’s hopes.
But this positive injury bulletin on hard-working forward Larkin is a major boost to Kilkenny as they go in search of a second successive All-Ireland senior crown.
Boss Brian Cody will deliver a fresh update on Larkin’s injury at a press event in the city on Tuesday.