TIPPERARY HAVE RECEIVED a boost with the news that the hand injury that captain Shane McGrath suffered in last Saturday night’s clash with Cork is not as serious as first feared.
McGrath has suffered no broken bones in his left hand after sustaining a blow in the closing stages of the Division 1A hurling league clash in Páirc Uí Rinn.
McGrath was unable to continue despite the fact that Tipperary had by that juncture used five substitutes and the Ballinahinch clubman’s withdrawal resulted in the Premier county having to finish the game with 14 men.
McGrath left the stadium afterwards with his hand heavily bandaged and there were fears he had suffered bone damage which could see him facing a spell on the sidelines.
But it has now emerged that he faces a short recovery time and could be available for selection for Tipperary’s second league game at home to Kilkenny in Semple Stadium on March 10th.
Clare’s Aaron Cunningham. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie.
Meanwhile Clare attacker Aaron Cunningham is set to be ruled out of the Banner’s forthcoming league games after dislocating his shoulder in yesterday’s Division 1A loss to Waterford in Ennis.
Cunningham suffered the injury just ten minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute and he was forced off after landing heavily on his shoulder.
The Wolfe Tones player was in severe discomfort at the time and TheScore.ie has learned that an x-ray has subsequently revealed that he dislocated his shoulder.
Cunningham, an All-Ireland U21 winner last September, only burst onto the senior scene last summer after impressive displays in the underage grades as part of the Clare Munster minor winning sides in 2010 and 2011.
Clare are already currently without defender Cian Dillon and attacker Conor McGrath who both have long-term hip injuries while Brian O’Connell was also absent for yesterday’s clash with a quad injury.
