Fitzgerald unsure about Murphy’s future

WATERFORD senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald is unsure about Eoin Murphy’s inter-county future.

Murphy, an All Star defender in 2006, suffered a fractured skull in a club match playing for Shamrocks against an Abbeyside second team at Cappoquin last Friday night.

Murphy regained consciousness but was in obvious distress. He was rushed to Waterford Regional Hospital but was transferred over the weekend to Cork University Hospital.

Fitzgerald revealed that Waterford selector Pat Bennett was present and described Murphy’s predicament as “very frightening”.

“It wasn’t a bad belt of a hurley or anything like that,” he said.

“It was a collision of bodies. It would be very unusual what happened and he was knocked unconscious for nearly 10 minutes.

“Pat Bennett, one of the selectors, was there and he said it was a very frightening thing. There wasn’t a budge out of him for nearly the 10 minutes.”

Murphy suffered some bleeding from the brain but latest indications are that he will not require surgery.

Fitzgerald said the number one priority is Murphy’s health and he doesn’t know if he will return this year.

“I don’t know and I won’t know until I talk to him. I’m not going to push him one bit.

“The most important thing about this is that he is safe, for himself and for his family. That’s number one and hurling is a very poor second. If Eoin is back, great but whatever he wants to do is our number one priority. I just want to talk to Eoin myself and make sure everything’s alright.”

Meanwhile, Fitzgerald was yesterday unveiled as a hurling ambassador for Limerick IT.

Representatives from All-Ireland senior and U21 champions Tipperary were present, along with Munster minor champions Clare and Allianz HL Division 2 winners Limerick.

Under the Waterford manager’s tenure, Limerick IT have captured Fitzgibbon Cup titles in 2005 and 2007.