Waterford lose skipper for quarter-final clash

WATERFORD captain Paul Flynn is out of Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling quarter-final against Tipperary at Croke Park.

Unable to take a full part in training for several weeks because of a thigh injury that will necessitate an operation later in the year, the skipper’s availability for this repeat of the Munster championship semi-final was always a major doubt. Fingers were tightly crossed that he might be able to lead out the side, but the selectors quickly discarded the idea of gambling with him when they sat down to finalise the starting 15.

He has, however, been named among the substitutes and it will be no surprise if he is sprung from the bench at some stage of the game. While the loss of Flynn, who hasn’t started a game since the June 4 loss to Tipp, is a big blow, on the credit side is the return of Tom Feeney, who missed the last qualifier against Laois because of a shoulder injury. Eoin Murphy also retired injured in that game but he too has been passed fit and the duo complete a rearranged full back line with Declan Prendergast, whose Ardmore clubmate Clinton Hennessey remains the undisputed first choice goalkeeper.