Déise gearing up with Croker visit

AS the Waterford hurlers continue their preparations for the August 11 All-Ireland semi-final against the winners of Sunday's Clare/Galway qualifier, they will experience the new Croke Park surface for the first time when they train there tomorrow.

Arrangements have been finalised with headquarters to have a full training session on the newly-laid pitch and it is expected the entire panel of players will make the journey to Croke Park.

With their semi-final opponents having the benefit of playing there next Sunday, Waterford were more than anxious to get a feel of the surface in advance of next month's semi-final.