Unlucky break means Moran will miss semi-final
The versatile Moran broke his index finger while playing in a challenge against Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday morning, a game which the home-side won by two points.
A Limerick spokesman confirmed yesterday that Moran had an x-ray on his damaged finger. "And while he is a great battler we are resigned to having to do without him against Waterford," he said.
It is the second time this season Moran has been hit by a finger injury he missed out on several league games after being bitten by a dog.
Three other players are causing concern. Ciaran Carey missed out on the trip to Cork because of a hamstring problem, and Donncha Sheehan suffered a bruised finger while assisting his club Adare in their SFC defeat by Ballylanders.
In the same competition, hurling corner-back Damien Reale went over on a foot while playing for Hospital Herbertstown and will be unable to train for the remainder of this week at least.
Meanwhile, defender David Hoey is out of the Clare team to play Cork in the semi-final of the Guinness Munster SHC at Thurles on June 8, and grave doubts also surround the fitness of full-back Brian Lohan.
Hoey was injured shortly after the start of last Sunday's victory over Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh following a collision between himself, Lohan and Tipperary's John Carroll.
Hoey was taken to hospital where it was confirmed he had broken a bone in his ankle and will be out of action for at least eight weeks.
Lohan's knee swelled up alarmingly after the game and he was in obvious discomfort last night. Manager Cyril Lyons was keeping his fingers crossed yesterday that an exploratory examination of Lohan's damaged knee will reveal no serious problem and that he will be able to start the Cork game in three weeks time.
Meanwhile, it is now highly unlikely that Tipperary will appeal the three-months suspension term imposed on wing-back Eamonn Corcoran by the GAC last week.
Although Tipperary manager Michael Doyle and county board officials have expressed their disappointment publicly about the length of the suspension and the way the whole matter was handled. However, the Premier County consider any appeal to be a pointless exercise.
Tipp's concentration is now focussed on the All-Ireland qualifiers and manager Doyle is hopeful that the welcome rest his side will enjoy in the meantime will help some of his injured casualties to regain full fitness.
Midfield player Noel Morris has been plagued by a hip injury for some months now and was replaced by Eoin Brislane just before half-time in Sunday's defeat.
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