Déise blow as Mullane breaks hand

FORMER Waterford Allstar John Mullane broke his hand while playing for his club De La Salle in a challenge against the Wexford U-21s in New Ross on Saturday and is facing a lay-off of at least six weeks.

Coming on top of the recent red card dismissals of two other Déise Allstars - Eoin Kelly and captain Paul Flynn - on successive NHL Sundays, the Mullane injury is a real blow. Although he had suffered a slump in form in the early rounds of the league, the De La Salle clubman showed signs of returning to his best with a sparkling display in the quarter-final, despite Waterford’s loss to Limerick.

Meanwhile, Waterford officials still await news on the fate of Kelly and Flynn, sent off in league games against Offaly and Limerick.

The county board has received a copy of the referee’s report on Kelly’s dismissal but officials are remaining tight-lipped about its contents.