Mullane’s hand injury not as bad as first feared

FEARS that Waterford forward, John Mullane fractured his hand in Sunday’s NHL win over Wexford have been dispelled.

Mullane was forced to retire 12 minutes into the second half but the prognosis is not as bad as was first feared.

A County Board sources said: “The hand is sore and swollen but there is no fracture. The confident expectation is that John will be fit to face Cork in our next game on Sunday week.”

Meanwhile manager Justin McCarthy is not getting carried away with that 1-23 to 1-12 victory.

“Every game is different and the Cork one will be a real test for us,” he said.

“That win in our first game has put us in a good position to qualify for the knockout stage. Its early days, but we can take a lot of positives from our display last Sunday. We have a panel of 30, every one of them pushing hard for places, ts an ideal position to be in.”

What particularly delighted McCarthy was the impressive performances turned in by the newcomers, and in that regard he made specific mention of Tallow’s Aidan Kearney at left full back.

There was additional woe for Wexford — they will be without Diarmuid Lyng for the Walsh Cup final against Kilkenny next weekend. Coach John Myler said Lyng broke the knuckle in his thumb and will be out of action for up to six weeks. “Keith Rossiter had four stitches inserted in a shin wound, and hopefully it won’t turn septic and keep him out of action for a while,” said Myler.

Meanwhile Clare picked up two serious injuries in their win away to Down. Diarmuid McMahon twisted an ankle while Brian O’Connell was taken off with a back injury. Coach Tony Considine said both are on the treatment table. “I’ll know more later in the week. There is two weeks to our next game against Wexford in Cusack Park and hopefully the two lads, along with a few others who are in the injured list, will be available to us,” he said.

Despite the seven point defeat by Cork, Offaly manager John McIntyre was happy not to pick up any more injuries. “We fielded a very young side that included seven players making their league debut and nine U21 players. While Cork looked good at times they never quite put us away, and we can take some of the credit for that.”

There was a spring in the step of Limerick Coach Richie Bennis after his side came away from Nenagh with both the points and no injury problems from the game against Tipperary.

“Paidi O’Dwyer picked up a knock but he is fine. Our next game is a home tie against Galway in the Gaelic Grounds, and we’ll learn a bit more about our players from that game.”

Galway expect to have Damien Joyce back for the visit to Limerick. He missed out on the victory over Antrim last week due to illness, but according to county secretary John Fahy, Fergal Moore will continue to be an absentee with a broken finger.