Aaron Gillane and Joe Canning have both been released from hospital after shipping heavy knocks in Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final.
Both players had to be replaced during the game, which Limerick won 0-27 to 0-24 to set up a final meeting with Waterford on Sunday week, though Galway star Canning’s predicament appeared the more serious as he received treatment on the field for several minutes and as a result of an accidental collision with teammate Joseph Cooney.
He was eventually stretchered off with suspected concussion.
Limerick attacker Gillane was replaced with a couple of minutes remaining but he joined teammates on the field after the final whistle before complaining of feeling unwell in the dressing room after the game. He was subsequently removed to hospital by ambulance and stayed overnight.
He was released on Monday afternoon, the Limerick Leader has reported, though his prospects of participating in the final remain unclear. If absent, the ace free-taker certainly would be a significant loss as Limerick bid to win a second All-Ireland in three years and complete a clean sweep of all the major hurling honours in 2020.
Canning was released on Sunday night from Dublin’s Mater Hospital and has been recovering at home since.
When replaced in the 69th minute, he had already contributed 0-12 to the Galway cause, all them from placed balls though four of them were sideline balls, a record. Earlier in the game Galway had also lost Cathal Mannion to a hamstring injury.
Galway chairman Pat Kearney commented: “It was a terrible pity what happened on Sunday but these things can happen in such physical games. Joe was playing so well, the four sidelines he landed were just unreal and who knows what would have happened had he stayed on?
“It’s the same about Cathal Mannion. He was a huge loss to us when he got injured, he was playing so well all year.
“But it wasn’t to be for us and we can do is hope that Joe and Cathal are back on their feet soon and wish Limerick and Waterford the best of luck in the final.
“We would also hope that Aaron Gillane is fit for the final. Injuries are part and parcel of hurling, especially a game as tough as Sunday, but you’d hate to see a player miss a big match and we wish Aaron a speedy recovery as well and hope that he can play against Waterford.”
