Limerick’s Gillane rated ‘50-50’ for All-Ireland
LIMERICK free-taker Aaron Gillane has a ‘50-50’ chance of being fit for the All-Ireland SHC final against Waterford on Sunday week. The 2019 All-Star shipped a heavy knock to the body in the semi-final victory over Galway which prompted an overnight stay at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. ‘Aaron didn’t train on
Tuesday,’ explained selector Donal O’Grady. ‘Obviously he took a heavy hit there at the weekend. We are hoping to possibly get him re-assessed on Friday night, to see how he is. At the moment, 50-50 is my understanding as of today.’ Gillane was substituted late on in the game after a collision with Galway centre-back Gearóid McInerney. While he celebrated on the pitch at the final whistle, the aftereffects were enough to see him checked into hospital. ‘He took a heavy hit, I think he had some breathing difficulties after, and our doctor deemed it necessary for him to head to the Mater,’ added O’Grady. ‘They kept him overnight, it was a precaution, but they were slightly concerned about him. ‘He was released the following day which was great and he came in to see us on Tuesday night, he
From Back Page obviously didn’t train. Hopefully we will know more through the weekend.’ Limerick supporters will be hoping for a speedy return to training for Gillane given how influential he has been in the county’s path to back-to-back National League and Munster Championship titles.
In his absence in the semi-final endgame, Tom Morrissey slotted a crucial free and the same player said he has no qualms about doing the same if needed for the final. ‘I’ve taken frees for the club all the way up. I took them in Páirc Uí Chaoimh two years ago when Aaron was injured. It’s not something that will faze me. I’m not concerned about it at the moment and I’m pretty sure Aaron will be playing come Sunday week.’ Fellow attacker David Dempsey remains an injury doubt while Morrissey called for the players’ families to be allowed into the stadium on match-day after the Government gave the green light on the full, extended squad and backroom team to attend the game with the move to Level 3. ‘You go to your family and those people who are with you and supported you all through the years. Not to have them there is disappointing and it would be nice if the GAA — I don’t know if they are — could look into maybe getting family there. ‘I don’t think there is any reason why it couldn’t be made possible. You’re looking for maybe 500 people in an 82,000 capacity stadium. I know it would mean a whole lot to the players. ‘I see over in England this weekend they’re going back trialling crowds into games and it’s an outdoor arena and I just think it would be nice and safe.’