Joey Cuddihy will not feature in this weekend’s AIB Leinster club senior hurling championship final.
Shamrocks Ballyhale make a return trip to Croke Park seeking their third consecutive Leinster crown but against Clough-Ballacolla they’ll have to do it without Cuddihy at least.
Playing at half-forward against Offaly’s St. Rynagh’s last time out, Cuddihy saw straight red for a rash challenge, leaving Shamrocks playing with 14 men for most of the game.
With the lineup restored to 15 in extra time, Shamrocks pulled clear to book their place in this weekend’s club decider.
Speaking to Scoreline on Friday, manager James O’Connor confirmed the suspension.
“We appealed that during the week (on Wednesday night). Unfortunately, we failed to overturn it so Joe Cuddihy is out for Sunday. He won’t be playing.”
The Ballyhale side are also sweating on the fitness of both Evan Shefflin and Colin Fennelly, neither having trained this week. At time of writing they’re currently rated “50/50” to feature on Sunday.
You can hear the full interview with James on Scoreline this Saturday and we’ll have live coverage of Shamrocks Ballyhale v Clough-Ballacolla on Sunday with thanks to Highway Safety Development Ltd.