Glenmore’s loss will be also keenly felt by Kilkenny.
Ger Aylward won’t be back hurling until much later in 2016 after it was confirmed today that the Glenmore captain, and 2015 All-Star, damaged his cruciate knee ligament in Sunday’s All-Ireland club semi final win at WIT.
The Leinster champions were facing Dungourney of Cork when Aylward was in collision with an opponent, and he’s told KCLR96fm that he knew immediately he was in trouble.
“It was a freak accident enough, I was going in for a tackle and the Dungourney player came in with his knee and hit me accidentally I suppose on the outside of my knee and whatever way I went down, I could feel a dunt inside of the knee and I knew it wasn’t good from there.
“It’s devastating but I’m glad for Glenmore to go through. We’ll be there all the way and we’re looking forward to it.”
Aylward was taken off in the first half of their win over the Munster champions with management fearing he had suffered a serious knee injury. The forward spoke to Kilkenny colleague that confirmed the symptoms of a cruciate knee injury, and the Glenmore man admits it’s a devastating blow
“I rang one my friends in Kilkenny and he had done it so then i knew to be expecting one of the calls. It’s gone, and ’tis a long road for recovery, but we’ll drive on for it.”
https://twitter.com/NoelBrowne5/status/692039277417463808
Aylward’s injury was confirmed by the same doctor that has treated Henry Shefflin several times, Dr. Tadhg O’Sullivan, with Aylward set to meet the surgeon in a few weeks before undergoing surgery to repair the damage.
The recovery time is expected to be a full nine months, and the forward is now going to miss his club’s All-Ireland club final next month in Croke Park against Derry side Eoghan Rua.
As captain Aylward has no problem now helping his team in any way he can win an All-Ireland junior title.
It’s great for Glenmore but it’s just a pity I won’t be there to be able to tog out with them. I’ll be there all the way and driving every one of them on. That’s what a panel is for, if one lad gets injured, then it;’s another lads chance to get in to do his job.”
Good luck to @GerAylward in his recovery. Huge loss for @GlenmoreGAA ahead of the Junior Club Final. #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/5F7m5mo7EF
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) January 26, 2016
