ALL-IRELAND SHC:KILKENNY'S WORST fears about Brian Hogan were confirmed yesterday with the news that the centre back will miss next week's All-Ireland final because of a finger injury sustained in training during the week.

Hogan had been forced out of the big semi-final win over Cork by a shoulder injury but had recovered from that before the latest mishap befell him.

His unavailability was confirmed by manager Brian Cody, speaking to RTÉ 1’s Six One News. “Brian has been fighting injury for the past few weeks really. First, he was a doubt going into the Cork game with a finger injury, he got over that, and then shipped a heavy knock to his shoulder and was gone after 15 minutes.

“He fought that injury very, very hard, did everything right and then got a finger injury.”

The position has become a problem for Kilkenny with an historic fifth successive All-Ireland title to be decided in eight days’ time in the final against Tipperary.

John Tennyson would have been the obvious candidate, but a cruciate ligament injury has jeopardised his chances of playing.

Should Tennyson not be available, the options will include James Ryall, corner back Jackie Tyrrell and Paddy Hogan.