As temperatures around Kilkenny and Carlow look set to hit 23 degrees today, let’s soak up some of Tuesday’s sporting headlines before soaking up some sunshine.
Injury concerns
It’s being reported that Kilkenny’s Adrian Mullen could be in line for a spell on the sidelines. The Ballyhale man was taken off in the first half of Kilkenny’s defeat to Wexford on Saturday with a hand injury, Derek Lyng telling us post-match that he hoped it wasn’t too bad. According to reports, Mullen’s injury could leave him out of Leinster and potentially the All-Ireland series with a six-week recovery being touted if it turns out to be as serious as suspected.
Mikey Butler and Tullaroan’s Martin Keoghan were also taken out of the game on Saturday – all inside the first half hour – and while a two-week turnaround is tight, Butler looks to have come out the better side of the three, Keoghan having pulled up with a hamstring injury against Wexford. That said, in hurling circles, nothing is confirmed until it’s confirmed.
Galway meanwhile are sweating on the fitness of Cathal Mannion who would be a big loss for a big game. He was taken off against Antrim with a hamstring injury and didn’t featured against Dublin at the weekend. Shefflin gave us a quick update on Mannion at the weekend describing his participation next month as “touch and go”.
Carlow for Croker
We mentioned it yesterday that Carlow had claimed this year’s TG4 Leinster ladies junior football title at the expense of Kilkenny. With the provincial championships wrapped, it’s on to the All-Ireland series and both counties have been kept apart in the draw. Kilkenny have been drawn in Group A of the junior championship alongside Sligo, Limerick and Down while Carlow are in Group B with Derry, London and Fermanagh.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch event in Croke Park, Carlow captain Ruth Bermingham says they’ll be doing their best to go one step further this year.
This year’s All-Ireland ladies final is earmarked for Croke Park on August 13th.
The Long Puck
The Carlow camogie and hurling Poc Fada took place last evening on Mount Leinster.
It’s the first of the two local finals, Kilkenny yet to put a date on theirs but we do know it needs to be run off before the 17th of June in order to get entries in for the Leinster championships. Myshall’s Michelle Nolan claimed the senior camogie title with Kildavin Clonegal’s India Mernagh taking the camogie under 16 title. More on this later as the final details trickle through.
This year’s All-Ireland Poc Fada finals are slated for August at Annaverna in the Cooley Mountains.
Tickets please
The All-Ireland intermediate camogie series moves into round 2 this weekend. Kilkenny had a win over Dublin on Saturday while Carlow went to the north, playing out a draw with 2021 All-Ireland champions Antrim. This weekend sees Carlow with the weekend off while Kilkenny take on Cork for the third time in the bones of a month or so as the Rebels come to John Locke Park in Callan. Throw-in is set for 5pm this Saturday evening with tickets on sale now.
Premier League latest
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s given an indication that Harry Maguire could leave the club this summer, saying the captain has a “decision to make”. The England defender’s not been a first-choice pick this season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea say Mauricio Pochettino was the ‘exceptional candidate’ for the manager’s job. The former Tottenham boss has signed a two-year deal with the option of a third and will formally take the reins on 1 July
Ireland summer squad drops today
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is due to name his preliminary World Cup training squad today. Over 40 players will be included, before the squad is trimmed down ahead of the tournament in September. Ireland are due to play warm-up games against Italy, England and Samoa in August before departing for France.
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