NOEL HICKEY and James “Cha” Fitzpatrick have handed Kilkenny coach Brian Cody a massive double boost ahead of next Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League final after coming through weekend club fixtures unscathed.
Full-back Hickey lined out with Dunamaggin in their narrow championship defeat against James Stephens on Saturday evening while midfielder Fitzpatrick, a recent victim of mumps, was in good form as defending champions Ballyhale Shamrocks enjoyed a facile victory over Fenians on Sunday.
Kilkenny County Board secretary Ned Quinn confirmed: “Noel and Cha played with their clubs and both came through very well.”
Kilkenny’s starting line-up for the Tipperary clash, which will be revealed on Friday night, will be along expected lines after manager Cody made a host of changes for the final group game against Dublin.
Hickey is working his way back to full fitness following groin surgery and it is understood that he is not in contention for a starting place next Sunday.
The multiple All-Ireland medallist expressed natural stiffness and soreness following the weekend run-out and it is expected that he will be named on the bench for the Semple Stadium showdown.
Fitzpatrick is expected to start, however, after appearing as a substitute in the Dublin game before getting more valuable minutes under his belt for the Shamrocks last Sunday.
There was further good news for the All-Ireland champions as defender John Dalton played for Carrickshock to mark his return from a bout of glandular fever.
Midfielder Derek Lyng remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from hip surgery while forward Richie Power is another non-starter after tearing a hamstring recently.
Meanwhile, former Hurling Development Committee chairman Quinn is expecting a 20,000 attendance in Thurles on Sunday and is anticipating a “huge” challenge from a Tipp team still smarting from the recent 17-point mauling against the Cats at Nowlan Park.
Wexford stars Keith Rossiter, Darren Stamp and Ciarán Kenny are struggling to be fit in time for next Sunday’s National Hurling League Division Two final against Offaly.
Wexford coach Colm Bonnar is still reeling from the massive double blow of losing midfielders Eoin Quigley and Colm Farrell to long-term injuries and can ill-afford any fresh problems against championship opponents Offaly.
The two sides meet just four weeks before their Leinster championship encounter with a coveted spot in Division One next season the prize for the winners at Semple Stadium.
Ful -back Rossiter lined out for Oulart-the-Ballagh in a club match over the weekend as he steps up his recovery from a groin strain.
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