Kilkenny’s Tyrrell set to return in place of injured Murphy

Two-time All Star almost certain to miss out on replay against Dublin due to ankle damage

An ankle injury to Kilkenny corner back Paul Murphy has been offset by Jackie Tyrrell’s availability for the Leinster SHC semi-final replay against Dublin this Saturday evening in Portlaoise.

Murphy damaged ankle ligaments just before half-time of last Sunday’s 1-14 to 0-17 draw.

Although he was stretchered off, Brian Cody’s management have yet to confirm the extent of the injury but it would take a remarkable recovery from the 24-year-old to feature in the replay.

He was replaced by Paddy Hogan against Dublin but Tyrrell’s experience will probably be seen as the better option considering the ongoing unavailability of Henry Shefflin and Michael Fennelly.

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Tyrrell resumed training last week after damaging a quad muscle against Offaly on June 9th.

Cillian Buckley is the only senior Kilkenny starter involved in the under-21 championship game against Offaly this evening. Of Cody’s current panel, Willie Phelan, Pádraig Walsh, Ger Aylward and Brian Kennedy will also start.

Dublin have no injury concerns although corner-forward Paul Ryan’s place is under threat from David O’Callaghan, who replaced him after 18 minutes of the drawn game.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent