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Delaney out of Dublin game
JJ Delaney has joined the list of walking wounded in the Kilkenny hurling camp and he will be out of action for the next three or four weeks.
The Fenians (Johnstown) man picked up a shoulder injury during the defeat by Cork at the weekend and he will miss Sunday's trip to face Dublin in the National League in Parnell Park.
The likelihood is that Delaney will miss the following clash against Galway too, but all going well he could be fit to face Limerick on Sunday, April 4.
The 27-year-old took two heavy knocks on the left shoulder before serious pain forced him to retire minutes from the end of a fiercely competitive match.
Played on
After the first knock Delaney played on after receiving treatment on the field. Only minutes later he suffered a second bang to the same shoulder.
The player knew immediately he was in trouble. He dropped his hurley to the ground and walked to the sideline. His place on the team was taken by Sean Cummins.
The former Hurler of the Year has been in blinding form of late after being returned to the half-back line at the start of the season after filling in as an emergency full-back last year.
Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell and current Hurler of the Year, Tommy Walsh have formed a dazzling partnership, but now manager, Brian Cody will be forced to reshape what is without question the best line in the country right now.
The previous week against Tipperary Richie Hogan (broken finger) and All-Star Michael Rice (hamstring) picked up injuries. While Hogan will be sidelined for a fair few weeks, Rice could be back this weekend or next.
The All-Ireland club final involving Shamrocks (Ballyhale) will be played today (Wednesday), but none of the county panellists involved there will be asked to play on Sunday, according to Mr Cody.
So Kilkenny will have to battle on with the weakened panel that has been on duty for the past three weeks.
While the defeat by Cork, the second in the League, all but knocked champions, Kilkenny, out of contention for honours this season, Mr Cody hasn't give up the chase.
League not over
"I wouldn't be sure that the League is over for Kilkenny," insisted defiant manager, Brian Cody. "We will chase the points in every game and see where that leaves us at the end of the campaign.
"I have always said it and I will repeat it again, every match in the League is hugely difficult, hugely competitive. Dublin were beaten by Offaly at the weekend, so they will be going all out to bounce back. That will add a degree of difficult to our task."
While he was disappointed to lose to Cork, Mr Cody insisted there were a lot of good things in the game as far as Kilkenny were concerned. The players turned in a very genuine performance, and they chased the game to the end.
"The attitude and spirit were good," he continued. "It was a big ask of us throughout the second half when down to 14 men, but the players never gave up."
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Weather for Kilkenny
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
