Waterford Allstars in race to be fit for Cork clash

WATERFORD have major concerns about the fitness of Paul Flynn and Ken McGrath ahead of Sunday week’s Guinness Munster SHC semi-final against Cork in Thurles.

McGrath is said to be making slow progress after surgery on his shoulder earlier in the year, while Flynn picked up an injury in a recent club match.

"Paul has a slight bit of strain. We're keeping our fingers crossed that he will be able to play,'' said manager Justin McCarthy yesterday. "But we're hopeful more than anything else."

Admitting that McGrath's progress hadn't been as steady as he would have hoped, McCarthy said that at this stage he could do no more than hope that the two players will be ready.

"But time is not on their side,'' McCarthy admitted.

Meanwhile, Limerick's Sean O'Connor is out of the reckoning for Sunday's Munster SHC first round clash with Tipperary in Thurles. The Ahane man injured his leg in a recent league tie against Down and hasn't recovered sufficiently to be considered for the game.

Dave Ryan also remains a doubt for Limerick, after being out of action for the past three weeks with a leg injury.

The Limerick team will be announced after training tonight, and it is expected to be the same as that which beat Waterford by a goal in a challenge at Ballygunner last week.

Limerick have recorded just one Munster championship win since 2000 over Kerry in 2003.

Tipperary have also been hit by injuries. Hugh Moloney, Michael Webster and Evan Sweeney are struggling with hamstring problems. Moloney is the most serious of the three. Manager Ken Hogan will name his team after training tomorrow night.

Cork defender Wayne Sherlock continues to recover from a groin operation but, according to coach John Allen, is unlikely to be risked against Waterford on May 22.

"Timmy McCarthy is making progress with a hamstring injury he picked up in the league game against Tipperary, but it's too early to say if he will be fit to play."