Tom O'Connell and Jason Gleeson are back on the Waterford football squad ahead of Saturday's Tailteann Cup opener against Down in Newry.
O'Connell returns after a stint with the Under 20 hurlers this year. The Brickey Rangers attacker made his championship debut in 2022 against Tipperary. Gleeson previously played for the county under Shane Ronayne and Benji Whelan.
"It's brilliant," Déise boss Ephie Fitzgerald told WLR Sport. "It increases the quality of the panel. They're two very good footballers. Tom gave hurling a go this year and he did very well with the Under 20s. Once that was over, I asked him would he come back in and he said 'not a bother'. Tom loves his football as much as anything else. Jason has fitted in like a glove in training. We're very pleased with both of those."
Waterford have been drawn in Group 2 alongside Down, Meath and Tipperary. "I don't think there's any easy draws when you're near the bottom of Division 4. It's a very tough draw but it's one we're looking forward to. We want to challenge ourselves against the better teams."
Throw in at Páirc Esler on Saturday is at 6 o'clock. Hear more from Ephie Fitzgerald on Friday's Lár Na Páirce show from 6.10.
