KILKENNY’S Richie Power did not sustain the dreaded cruciate ligament damage when playing for Carrickshock last Saturday.

However, the two-time All Star will undergo surgery this morning on his knee and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. Kilkenny open the defence of their Leinster and All-Ireland titles on June 23rd.

“I don’t want to speculate about whether he will be playing in that game but I can say it is not the cruciate,” said Kilkenny County Board secretary Ned Quinn. “Tests today revealed it was cartilage damage. Four to six weeks I am told.”

Meanwhile, Tyrone’s injury concerns received a boost with news that Davy Harte returned for Errigal Ciarán last weekend, while Aidan McCrory’s heavy fall in the Division Two final defeat to Kildare is not deemed as serious at it initially looked. “He was alright after the game,” said centre-back Peter Harte. “He was talking but he was sore. He took a blow to his neck so they didn’t take any risk.

“[Davy] played his first club game last week,” said Harte of his cousin’s return. “He came on, he had a groin/hernia operation so he’s only getting fully back now.”

Harte also admitted Kildare’s performance on Sunday lends weight to the idea Kieran McGeeney’s team are genuine All-Ireland contenders. “They have been there or thereabouts this last few years and the media have been saying they have been very unlucky and that’s probably true. I think they have the quality but you need a bit if luck as well in the All-Ireland. If they get the rub if the green and they won’t be too far away.”