Delaney to miss hurling final

News round-up: Kilkenny's build-up to the All-Ireland hurling final against Cork suffered a major setback over the weekend with the loss of key defender JJ Delaney.

A knee injury sustained in a practice match last Friday evening is set to rule him of the game on Sunday week, and if the damage proves to be the dreaded cruciate ligament tear Delaney could be out for up to six months.

The 24-year-old is to undergo further scanning to determine the exact extent of the damage, but his loss for the final against Cork deprives Kilkenny of one of the more experienced and accomplished defenders.

Delaney has played in several positions this summer, filling in at full back, wing back and corner back, and his loss leaves a major hole in the Kilkenny defence. There are several replacements such as Michael Kavanagh and Donncha Cody, son of manager Brian Cody, but Delaney's big-match experience won't be easily replaced.

His injury follows that sustained by centre back John Tennyson in the semi-final win over Clare last Sunday week. Yet despite dislocating his left shoulder and damaging ligaments, Tennyson is still giving himself every chance of featuring in the final - using an oxygen chamber to speed up the healing process.

Clare manager Anthony Daly has confirmed his decision to step down in the wake of that defeat, informing the county board over the weekend.

Despite their efforts to keep him in charge for a fourth term, the Clarecastle man handed in his resignation to county board chairman Michael McDonagh.

Question marks still hang over the future of several Clare players. Tony Griffin will next month resume his studies in Canada and expected to be out of circulation for two years, and there is widespread expectation that Brian Lohan and Seanie McMahon will retire, with Frank Lohan possibly joining them.

Last March's All-Ireland club finalists St Gall's are out of this year's championship. The Ulster champions were defeated by Cargin, 0-9 to 0-12.

Their elimination follows the similar fate that befell All-Ireland champions Salthill-Knocknacarra in Galway.