GAA News

Galway will be pleased with the news that former All-Star midfielder Michael Rice is out of the Kilkenny team for the All-Ireland final.

By Declan Whooley

After Sunday’s emphatic win over Tipp, Galway will need all the help they can get in order to overcome Brian Cody’s side as they bid for a sixth title in seven years. The first bit they have received is the news that Kilkenny midfielder Michael Rice is out of the All-Ireland final with injury.

Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty told The Irish Daily Star that the hand injury Rice received in a clash with Tipperary’s Padraic Maher is worse than was initially suspected. “There wouldn’t be a hope for him (for the All-Ireland)," said Fogarty. "He’s had more injuries – knees, shoulders, fingers. It’s tough on him but the show must go on”.

The hand injury appears to be a severe one. Rice broke his finger in two places, sustained a severe gash and suspected ligament damage after the tackle.

On the flipside, his replacement on Sunday, Cillian Buckley, slotted in seamlessly and even got on the scoresheet, and would most likely make any other team in the country.

The loss of Rice would be a big blow to the Cats and was only after coming back into the side after overcoming a groin problem earlier in the summer.

After their barnstorming win on Sunday, the Cats are still hot favourites to retain the Liam MacCarthy, but the loss of Rice will have to give Galway a small, and unfortunate, boost.