Former All Star defender Pat O'Neill faces an uphill battle to be fit to assist Kilkenny in the defence of the Leinster hurling championship.
O'Neill last played for the county in the All-Ireland final against Offaly last September. He underwent surgery subsequently to rectify serious groin injury, his recovery rate has been slown. O'Neill had pencilled in a local league match yesterday in which to make his return. But he had to withdraw at the last minute. There was good news for Kilkenny in that O'Neill's club mate, DJ Carey, came through that game against James Stephens without any difficulty.
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