HENRY: MULLEN INJURY A DIRTY BLOW

NEEDED PINS Adrian Mullen

- BY GARRY DOYLE

BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS boss Henry Shefflin has confirmed star man Adrian Mullen will miss the Leinster club SHC final after suffering a broken thumb in what he described as a “dirty blow”.

The All Star forward was absent as Ballyhale survived a major scare to beat Clough-Ballacolla 1-18 to 1-15 in Sunday's semifinal - and Shefflin revealed afterwards Mullen will play no part against Wexford champions St Martin's.

"It's a broken thumb," Shefflin said. "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's fair. But the injury on Adrian was unfair. It was a dirty blow and he's gone."

Mullen has already undergone surgery and had pins inserted. To make matters worse, Ballyhale's injury list continues to grow.

"We are missing four of the 20 lads who featured in the county final," Shefflin (right) added. "We will just rock on with it."