Murphy returns to Waterford training

WATERFORD hurler Eoin Murphy has returned to county training two months after fracturing his skull in a club game.

Murphy has been given the all clear by medical experts after recovering from the horrendous injury he sustained in an accidental clash in April.

However Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald has ruled him out of the Munster SHC final against All-Ireland champions Tipperary on July 10.

Fitzgerald said: “Eoin was back with us on Sunday. At the moment, he’s taking things easy and all he’s doing is a bit of light jogging. But hopefully it won’t be too long before he’ll be able to take a full part in training.

“However, with the Munster final less than two weeks away, Eoin hasn’t a hope of being involved in that game. “But he’s heading in the right direction and hopefully he will be available for whatever match, or matches, we’ll have for the rest of the championship.”

Meanwhile Fitzgerald hasn’t ruled Wayne Hutchinson out of his plans for the clash with Tipperary. The young defender broke a bone in his hand while playing for Ballygunner in the Waterford senior hurling championship earlier this month and was expected to face a six week lay-off.

Fitzgerald admitted: “We still have hope that Wayne will be available for the Munster final. His hand is in plaster but he’s due to have it taken off towards the end of this week or early next week. We then have a look at Wayne’s hand and see if he can be part of our plans for the Tipp game.”

Fitzgerald revealed that Liam Lawlor has returned to light training after an ankle injury but there are concerns over Richie Foley who was forced to cry off the morning of their Munster SHC semi-final against Clare.

“Richie was only taking frees, but unfortunately he stood on a ball, and did the damage to his ankle.”