Lynch set to miss final

Cork manager Billy Morgan has confirmed wing back Anthony Lynch is virtually certain to miss next weekend's All-Ireland final against Kerry after suffering a freak injury at training on Saturday.

"I don't think there's any chance," said Morgan when asked whether Lynch was definitely out. "He broke a bone in the back of his hand after catching someone's elbow. I'm really sorry for him.

"He's been around for a long time and with Graham Canty and Nicholas Murphy is one of our three most influential players.

"Dr Con Murphy took him to hospital immediately and before the training session was over word had come back and we told the lads. It was a bit of a shock, but we have to move on. These things happen in sport.

"We went in to the semi-final without James Masters, but we weren't playing a team of the calibre of Kerry."

Morgan has had wretched luck with injury in recent matches in Croke Park. Two years ago, before the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry, centrefielder Derek Kavanagh damaged ankle ligaments, while last year Graham Canty injured his cruciate ligament in the Munster final replay and missed the All-Ireland series.

However, Morgan confirmed top scorer Masters is now back in full training following his broken jaw. "He played a full part on Thursday and Saturday and was doing the same as anyone else," he said.

Selection permutations include Masters replacing John Miskella at wing forward, with the latter moving to wing back.