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Paul Murphy is out of Sunday’s championship opener. Photo by Dermot Crean.
KERRY will be without the services of All-Star, Paul Murphy, for the Munster Championship semi-final against Tipperary this Sunday according to media reports.
The Rathmore man, picked up a shoulder injury taking part in warm weather training with the Kerry team in Portugal last week.
This follows the news of greater disappointment for Kieran O’Leary, who ruptured an Achilles tendon expected to put him out for the entirety of the championship season.
The Dr Crokes man, who was joint captain last year, sustained the devastating injury also while out in Portugal.
Though O’Leary never managed to nail a regular starting place in his almost 10 years on the Kerry panel, the three time All-Ireland winner has popped up with a few important cameo appearances, most notably a spectacular last minute equalizer in the drawn Mayo game last year.
David Moran picked up a shoulder injury while playing for Kerins O’Rahilly’s two weeks ago, so it remains to be seen if he makes it for Sunday.
So, not ideal preparation gearing up for an All-Ireland title defence against an emerging Tipperary side in Thurles this Sunday.
It will be the first time since 2013 Kerry have played Tipperary. Back then the Premier county were on the receiving end of a 17 point defeat in Killarney.
Since that time, Tipp have improved immeasurably and are expected to put up a sterner test at home.
Throw-in is at 3.30pm. The match will not be televised. Tickets are a very reasonable €15 for adults with kids U16 getting in for free.
