INJURY UPDATE

KILCUMMIN’S injury situation has improved considerably over the course of their Munster campaign. At the start of it they were down both Kieran Murphy (Kerry Junior captain) and Kevin McCarthy (Kerry senior footballer).

In the last couple of weeks Murphy (brother of Kerry shot-stopper Shane) has made huge strides towards full fitness and featured as a second half sub against both Kilrush and Kilmacthomas.

“Hopefully Kieran Murphy is getting nearer the full fitness,” Kilcummin boss Willie Maher explained this week.

“John [McCarthy] was literally out for nearly two weeks with pleurisy. He started against Kilrush, but was very sick that evening and could hardly get out of the bed the following day and then [was out] for the last two weeks. Yesterday [Sunday] was the first day back and hopefully he’ll be back hopefully at full pelt.”

McCarthy’s prognosis, meanwhile, is also much improved after he broke a hand while playing for East Kerry in the County Senior Football Championship.

It doesn’t seem likely at this stage that he’ll be a position to line out or feature in any way against Fermoy, but he has returned to training according to his manager.

“Kevin he’s probably not [going to be available]. It’s just a small bit too soon, but look he’s improving and improving and he’s starting to handle a bit of ball, he’s probably just not there, but you know this week will probably bring him on as well.”

Fermoy, meanwhile, are sweating on the availability of star man Ruairí O’Hagan. They have been boosted, however, by the news that Cork senior footballer Tomás Clancy is in a position to start against the Kerry champions in Mallow.

Other Fermoy injury concerns include Paudie Clancy who picked up a knock in their semi-final victory over Moyne-Templetuohy and Brian O’Sullivan who remains unlikely to feature after he too broke his hand.