Derek Lyng sweating over key Kilkenny trio for Galway duel

Derek Lyng could be without many of his big hitters as the Kilkenny boss faces an injury crisis ahead of Sunday’s Leinster SHC clash with Henry Shefflin’s Galway.

The Cats cruised to victory in their round-robin opener against Antrim last Sunday but it came at a cost with Adrian Mullen (groin/thigh), Eoin Cody (ankle) and Eoin Murphy (head knock) forced off injured at different stages.

Mullen was unable to continue after picking up a leg problem in the early stages – he was visibly in discomfort – while Murphy received a heavy blow to the head on the stroke of half-time.

The four-time All-Star goalkeeper played the remaining minutes of the first half but never returned for the closing period with Aidan Tallis, an All-Ireland U-20 winner under Lyng in 2022, replacing him.

With regular substitute ’keeper Darren Brennan no longer involved in this year’s Kilkenny squad, Tallis could be in for a baptism of fire against the Tribesmen if Murphy is not deemed fit to play.

Most worryingly of all, Cody went down very awkwardly at the start of the second half with referee Shane Hynes immediately calling a halt to play so that the Ballyhale Shamrocks forward could be attended to by the Kilkenny medical team.

Cody was wincing in pain as he hobbled off the pitch and the All-Star attacker is understood to be a serious doubt for the Galway clash as he awaits the results of an MRI scan.

None of the trio are likely to be risked by Lyng if not 100 per cent fit given that Sunday’s result is unlikely to have major ramifications on Leinster qualification, with Galway and Kilkenny tipped to secure the top two spots regardless of the outcome.

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