Limerick sharpshooter Aaron Gillane’s chances of playing in the All-Ireland final against Waterford have been rated as 50-50.
Gillane was replaced late on in Sunday’s semi-final win over Galway after shipping a knock and, having felt unwell in the dressing room afterwards, spent the night in hospital before being released on Monday.
The Patrickswell man is believed to have suffered bruised ribs and selector Donal O’Grady explained: “Aaron didn’t train on Tuesday. Obviously he took a heavy hit at the weekend.
“We’re hoping to possibly get him reassessed on Friday night to see how he is. At the moment, 50-50 is my understanding as of today.
“He took a heavy hit. I think he had some breathing difficulties after. Our doctor deemed him to head to the Mater. They kept him overnight as a precaution. They were slightly concerned.
“But he was released the following day which was great. He came in to see us on Tuesday night but obviously didn’t train. So hopefully we’ll know more towards the weekend.”
O’Grady outlined how Gillane has “played through the pain barrier” in recent weeks due to a finger injury.
“He went for an operation, it was actually not as bad as first feared. It was a ligament injury as far as I know.
“He possibly should have taken a couple of weeks to leave that recover, but really wanted to get his fitness and get his hurling back as quickly as possible. And he basically just played through the pain barrier.
“So yeah he is playing with that slight finger strapped or whatever, but no tougher man than himself.
“He had a hamstring injury – you can’t escape from them either – earlier on in the season. I think he just made this miraculous recovery from it, which is a great sign of him.
“He does take a lot of punishment inside on the edge of the square. He’s well able to mind himself though which is great.”
Meanwhile, as crowds are allowed to attend Premier League games in England again from this weekend in reduced numbers, Limerick forward Tom Morrissey says he would welcome a similar approach for the December 13 decider.
He said: “We won a League and a Munster Championship and obviously we are hugely privileged and we know we are lucky to play the Championship this year but it was a small bit disappointing that we couldn’t have our relatives close to us.
“Playing the All-Ireland final next week and after the match again, just such a big moment in our lives and not to have those people that are so important to you at the game and to share those moments in the immediate aftermath of a game.
“You go to your family and those people who are with you and supported you all through the years. Not to have them there is disappointing and it would be nice if the GAA - I don’t know if they are - could look into maybe getting family there.
“I don’t think a big stadium like Croke Park, I don’t think there is any reason why it couldn’t be made possible. You’re looking for maybe 500 people in an 82,000 capacity stadium. I know it would mean a whole lot to the players. It would mean a huge amount.
“I see over in England this weekend they’re going back trialling crowds into sporting games and it’s an outdoor arena and I just think it would be nice and it would be safe.”
