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.