Fitzgerald to run rule over potential panellists

WATERFORD manager Davy Fitzgerald will assess potential panellists this Saturday when he stages two challenge games in Carriganore.

The Clare native has lined up matches against Carlow and WIT where the Déise teams will consist mostly of players from the county’s development squad.

Saturday will mark the first games for former Laois trainer Br Philip Ryan who Fitzgerald welcomed on board before Christmas. Ryan will join selector Pat Bennett in training the defence.

Fitzgerald looks set to operate the same policy as last year when he gave an extended rest to some of the older players.

Declan Prendergast is currently out with a hip injury that may require surgery but veterans Tony Browne, Ken McGrath and Eoin Kelly have been told they don’t need to return to full training for now.

John Mullane and Kevin Moran won’t return until De La Salle’s interests in the All-Ireland club SHC are over.