Peter Hogan and Ian Kenny are the main injury worries for the Waterford hurlers ahead of
Sunday's Munster championship opener against Cork at Walsh Park.
Selector Peter Queally confirmed that the Ballygunner duo are unlikely to make the starting
fifteen. “Peter and Ian are very close to being back. Probably won’t be ready in time. They might be able to tog out. They’re just back from injuries so they won’t be considered from the start. Peter has a groin issue, he pulled it there a couple of weeks ago in an A versus B game. Ian’s is a bit more technical, a hamstring, a touch of a tendon at the back of the hamstring. He’s nearly back now as well.”
Tadhg De Burca is expected to slot into the Déise defence for the first time in almost twelve months. “Hopefully. He has got a bit of game time, bits and pieces. He’s not ready yet for 70
minutes. He hasn’t got 70 minutes into him yet or anything near it. It’s bringing him back bit by bit. We’ll make a call on that closer to the game but he’s looking good. So is Conor Prunty, so is Stephen Bennett. They have the same issues as regards match fitness but we’re happy with where they are and the work they’ve done.”
Stephen Bennett missed the last three rounds of the league after hobbling off with a hamstring injury against Clare in February. “He has worked hard, there’s no doubt it. He’s ahead of schedule. That’s testament to the hard work that they have done and testament to our medical team, Michael O’Sullivan and his assistants. They’ve put a lot of time into it. All of them are ahead of schedule. They shouldn’t really be ready for the first round but I think they nearly all are.”
