Injured Gough out of Tipp semi

THE Dublin hurlers injury nightmare continues to escalate after Oisín Gough was ruled out of Sunday week's All- Ireland SHC semi-final clash with Tipperary with a broken hand.

The Cuala defender suffered the injury in training on Monday night and will now sit out the rest of the season, further deepening Anthony Daly's defensive injury crisis.

Already, the Clareman is without the services of frontliners Conal Keaney, Tomás Brady and Stephen Hiney due to a spate of cruciate ligament injuries and now Gough, an ever-present last season, has been taken out of the picture as they bid to overturn massive odds and the All-Ireland champions for a place in hurling's September showpiece.

Gough didn't play against Limerick in the quarter-final victory in Thurles but was in contention for a recall against the Premier County in Croke Park next week.

Having missed the opening rounds of the league, he found form but his absence means rookie and clubmate Paul Schutte -- who made his championship debut against Limerick -- is again set to start at corner-back.

Gough's injury is the latest in a long line which has threatened to ruin Dublin's season.

LIMITS

At various stages this year, Daly has been without Keaney, Brady, Hiney, Joey Boland, David Treacy, Ryan O'Dwyer and Ruairí Trainor for sustained periods and his panel will again be tested to its limits for the clash with the All-Ireland champions.

Tipperary, meanwhile, have no such problems. There was a doubt as to the availability of John O'Brien after the Toomevara forward was sent off for an off-the-ball incident in a club match last weekend but it is believed he has been reported for a Category 3 offence which will not sideline him for the clash against the Dubs.