Ballyhale Shamrocks are back in another Leinster final but, their manager Henry Shefflin could scarcely hide his frustration as he confirmed that star forward Adrian Mullen will miss the remainder of their provincial campaign after suffering what he called a “dirty belt” in their quarter-final win over Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Speaking after Shamrocks’ tense 1-18 to 1-15 semi-final victory over Clough-Ballacolla of Laois. Henry Shefflin revealed that Adrian Mullen had undergone surgery and was now in a cast, with a broken thumb expected to keep him out for the foreseeable future. The 2022 All-Star watched Sunday’s win from the sideline, his arm heavily strapped after an operation to insert pins.

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The injury occurred in the dying seconds of the quarter-final against Kilcormac-Killoughey when a stray flick from Charlie Mitchell caught Adrian Mullen. Both players later received one-match bans for a subsequent melee.

For Adrian Mullen, who has endured a brutal injury run in recent seasons, the timing could not be worse. And for Henry Shefflin, the manner of the blow left him particularly angered.

He has a broken thumb, he had a dirty belt the last day. It was very upsetting for Adrian. I don’t mind a lad getting an injury if it is fair but the injury on Adrian was unfair.

It was a dirty blow and he’s gone. He has broken his thumb and has got pins in it.

Adrian Mullen now looks almost certain to miss the entirety of Ballyhale’s club campaign, even if the Shamrocks reach yet another All-Ireland final on January 18. His absence is a major setback for a side chasing yet more provincial silverware.

Despite the frustration surrounding the injury, Ballyhale did enough to edge past Clough-Ballacolla and book their place in the Leinster decider. They will face St Martin’s of Wexford next, with Shefflin now tasked with plotting a provincial title bid without one of his most influential players.

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