Browne stays back to work on fitness

TONY BROWNE has missed out on the Waterford hurlers’ holiday to Morocco, using the timeto overcome a troublesome leg injury.

Browne was named the Mount Sion captain for the coming year at the club’s recent AGM, which means he will automatically take over the captaincy of the Munster champions from Ballygunner’s Fergal Hartley for 2003.

His Mount Sion club colleague, Ken McGrath admitted that the former hurler of the year is looking forward to captaining both club and county this year and is determined to be fully fit for both campaigns.

“The trip to Morocco is one any player would look forward to, but instead Tony has decided to remain at home and continue his treatment for the leg injury that has haunted him for so long,” McGrath said.

McGrath’s younger brother, Eoin, and some other players will also miss the holiday because of work commitmentsHowever the Mount Sion players who are going, Brian Flannery, Eoin Kelly, Micheál White, and Ken McGrath, will be travelling with more than suntan lotion and swimming togs.

“We will be bringing our hurleys with us also because we have given our coach Jim Greene a pledge that we will undertake at least 45 minutes training each day,” McGrath said.

“Given the importance of our All-Ireland semi-final against Dunloy on February 16 that’s not too much to ask of us,” he added.

McGrath has agreed to take on his first managerial job, with the Mount Sion U21s, in the coming year, and Browne will assist him. “It will increase our workload,” he said, “but both Tony and I are really looking forward to the challenge.

“The challenges for Waterford in both league and championship this year are the priority right now, together of course with Mount Sion’s bid to win the All-Ireland club title for the very first time.”

Meanwhile, Justin McCarthy said that on the team’s return from holiday they will regroup and plan their preparations for the year ahead, beginning with the National League opener against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Walsh Park on February 23.

“Last year was a memorable one for us, winning the Munster title after a lapse of 39 years,” McCarthy said. “We will be hoping to build on that and even go one better in the coming year.”

Meanwhile Ken McGrath has been named the December winner of the Park Hotel Waterford Sport Star Of The Month award for his contribution to Mount Sion’s thrilling victory over Sixmilebridge in the Munster Club final at Semple Stadium. *The Games Administration Committee of the GAA meets next Wednesday to finalise venues for the AIB All-Ireland Club championship semi-finals in hurling and football.