Owens seeking deal for Déise dual stars

NEW Waterford senior football manager John Owens is hoping to reach an agreement with hurling counterpart Davy Fitzgerald over the use of dual stars Shane Walsh and Gary Hurney next year.

According to Owens, both players want to combine both codes in 2010 but the former Tipperary boss admitted he has yet to speak to Fitzgerald about the situation.

Towering Ballinacourty club man Hurney was earmarked for a key role in the Waterford hurling attack last season before a broken collarbone wrecked his campaign.

The Nire’s Walsh struck a dramatic late goal against Galway in the thrilling All-Ireland quarter-final win before netting two more goals in the semi-final loss to Kilkenny.

Hurney was in superb form for Munster during the recent interprovincial football championship, netting a goal in the final against Ulster, while Walsh also tasted action for his province.

Owens is anxious to secure the services of the key duo for his first season in charge and he claimed: “The lads have basically said that they would like to manage both.

“It’s up to myself and Davy to give them clear boundaries and guidelines.

“I haven’t spoken to Davy about it but these guys are good. Both are scoring players.”

Meanwhile, Owens has revealed that he has organised trial matches over the next two weekends as he runs the rule over prospective new talent.

Owens said: “There are a lot of fellas out there in Waterford who I know have ability. It’s just a matter of them saying: ‘yeah, we’ll give it the commitment necessary.’

“We’re working off the 2009 panel who are working on their conditioning and once these trial matches are completed, we’ll have our 2010 panel organised.”

Owens had worked with Waterford club side Rathgormac for a year prior to his new appointment and believes that there is plenty of footballing talent available in the county.

He added: “There’s a good buzz and next Sunday, Stradbally are playing against Kilmurry-Ibrickane and have a very good chance against them.”