Kilkenny great Henry Shefflin has spoken of his devastation after it was revealed he will miss this year’s All-Ireland final through injury.
Shefflin was withdrawn during the first half of the Cats’ emphatic win over Cork on Sunday after landing awkwardly on his left knee. A scan on Tuesday revealed a severed cruciate ligament in the knee, which will leave the nine-time All-Star facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Shefflin was hoping that the injury wouldn’t be as serious as he originally feared and revealed his devastation once the surgeon confirmed the extent of the damage.
“I am so disappointed I don’t know how I feel,†he said.
“I was hoping against hope that it was something else but the surgeon has confirmed my worst fears. I heard some pop. I had an idea I was in a bit of trouble but I was hoping it wasn’t what I feared it might be. I am devastated,” he said.
County Secretary Ned Quinn expressed his sympathy for Shefflin and said that his absence will provide even more inspiration for his colleagues to go on and make history by winning an unprecedented five All-Ireland titles in a row.
“The determination is there anyway to win the All-Ireland title but I believe they’ll want to win it even more now for Henry. It’s a devastating blow for the player and all our thoughts in Kilkenny are with him now,” Quinn said.
“I’ve been watching hurling for nearly 50 years now and he’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen. He works hard for the team, is great in the dressing- room, provides leadership on the pitch and is the main scorer. He’s the complete package.
“I’ve no doubt that Henry will be part of the dressing-room in the build-up to the game, given the commitment he has showed to Kilkenny in the past. A number of Kilkenny players have suffered cruciate injuries, including Henry, in recent years but all came back. I’ve no doubt he will do the same.”
Shefflin suffered cruciate ligament damage to his right knee during Kilkenny’s victory over Limerick in the 2007 All-Ireland final, but returned to action in time for the championship the following year. Amazingly, this year’s All-Ireland final will be the first championship game Shefflin has failed to start since Brian Cody became manager in 1999.
