TJ Reid is in line to return to hurling tomorrow for Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Kilkenny hurling league after an eight month lay-off.
The All Star forward sustained an atrocious injury, cracking his kneecap, in last September’s All-Ireland final replay following a clash with Galway’s Iarla Tannian.
After a few false starts, it now appears that Reid will either feature tomorrow against Danesfort or next Friday night against Clara.
That should leave the 2010 Kilkenny captain with sufficient time to regain match fitness ahead of Kilkenny’s Leinster championship opener against Offaly in Tullamore on June 9th.
Michael Rice was another long-term injury victim, his hand was badly mangled in last year's All-Ireland semi-final, who recently returned to action but hurler of the year Henry Shefflin continues to be unavailable. Shefflin is not expected to see any action for Shamrocks in the coming weeks, despite a return to light hurling training after foot surgery.
It is looking increasingly likely that Shefflin will miss his only championship match since making his debut in 1999.
It is also believed that another highly decorated veteran, eight-time All-Ireland winner JJ Delaney will not feature in the provincial semi-final at O'Connor Park.
Referee's report
Neither the Kilkenny County Board or their Tipperary counterparts have received any official notice from the central competitions control committee regarding referee Barry Kelly's report from last Sunday's National Hurling League final.
Kelly sent Delaney and Tipperary’s Lar Corbett off in the 45th minute following a scuffle. The CCCC are expected to recommend one match suspensions for both players.
Indications are that Delaney will not contest such a ban with the Tipperary county board leaving their options open regarding a request to go before the Central Hearings Committee until they hear an offical ruling.
Corbett, speaking at a sponsors function earlier this week, refused to accuse Delaney or any other Kilkenny player for the cracked ribs he sustained during the altercation. However, he did confirm that was when the damage occurred.
Out injured
He is sidelined for four to six weeks so contesting the one match ban may prove a pointless exercise. The CCCC's written judgment is expected today, with the five day time lapse partially due to last weekend being a bank holiday.
Meanwhile, Cork hurler Jamie Coughlan could regain fitness for the Munster championship opener against Clare or Waterford on June 23rd. Coughlan underwent hip surgery in February.
The Galway footballers have received a huge boost with captain Finian Hanley returning to action in a challenge match against Clare after being out for over three weeks. The 28-year old played on Wednesday night and is now firmly back on course to lead the side out on Sunday week against Mayo in the Connacht championship.
Hanley played half a game at fullback in a behind closed doors challenge at Pearse Stadium, suffering no ill-effects from the shoulder injury which has thwarted him since the middle of April.
