Relief for Cork as Brian Hayes injury not season-ending

While Cork attacker Brian Hayes is set to miss the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A final against Tipperary, the Rebels have been given a boost by the news that his knee injury is not a season-ending one.

The St Finbarr’s man was forced off in the second half of Saturday evening’s win over Galway at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and there were fears that he had damaged his cruciate ligament but a scan on Monday revealed that not to be the case.

“We haven't got a full report on it yet but it's more kind of bone-bruising,” said Cork manager Pat Ryan, “two bones knocking off each other.

“We're not too sure yet of the timeline, but it's not season-ending anyway. I would say that it’s touch-and-go for the start of the championship but he’d definitely be back for the second set of two games, which are in the middle of May.”

Cork have already lost another forward, Pádraig Power to an ACL and, while Hayes will be absent for a period, there is relief that Hayes – scorer of six goals in the league campaign – has avoided a similar fate.

“He’s been playing so well and he's put in a savage effort over the last 24 months, really,” Ryan said.

“When he first came in with us, he was coming off the back of St Finbarr’s going far in the All-Ireland club series and he picked up a few injuries but he's had a clear run over the last two years and that's been great.

“We've seen how he's developed, what he has imparted to our panel and the team and he would have been a huge loss, so thank God, touch wood.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Cork will have home advantage for the league final, which takes place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm on Sunday, April 6. It will be preceded by the Division 1B decider between Offaly and Waterford, which has a 1.45pm throw-in time.