Gilligan doubt hangs over the 'Bridge

Sixmilebridge's hopes of upsetting Mount Sion's march towards the Munster club hurling title have been upset by the uncertainty surrounding pivotal forward Niall Gilligan.

The Clare star suffered the misfortune of tearing an ankle ligament while losing consciousness during the semi-final win over Patrickswell last Sunday. However, he has expressed the hope that the injury will have healed sufficiently before Sunday's game.

Gilligan's concussion was so severe that he was unable to recall almost half of the match and was taken to hospital immediately after the win.

Sixmilebridge have already reconciled themselves to the fact that corner forward John Chaplin has been ruled out with a broken hand, so losing Gilligan, the team's free-taker and driving force, would be potentially crippling. He is to receive daily physiotherapy in the hope that his injury eases enough to allow him to participate.

Mount Sion defender John Cleere, out since the county final, will not be available, but intercounty forward Michael White has shaken off recent injury trouble and will be in the picture. Denis Byrne, who enjoyed a glittering summer with Kilkenny, may yet be unable to line out with his club Graigue-Ballycallan in Sunday's Leinster club hurling final against Dublin champions UCD. He was withdrawn injured in the semi-final win over Castletown and has been unable to train since.

The students also have concerns, with Offaly senior Brendan Murphy having picked up a slight knock during a club game last weekend. He is, however, expected to line out with the college.