Déise sweating on young star Shanahan

MAURICE SHANAHAN is a major injury concern for Waterford’s hurlers ahead of next Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Galway in Thurles.

The Lismore clubman, younger brother of former county star Dan, damaged his hamstring after coming on as sub against Tipperary in the Munster SHC final over a fortnight ago.

Shanahan didn’t train last week in the wake of the 21-point defeat and his chances of being available for next weekend depend on his ability to do some work this week.

Waterford met at 9am for a training session in Dungarvan on the morning after the Tipperary defeat and trained again on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Last Wednesday’s session was reportedly a no-holds-barred affair as panel members played out an intense training game to unleash their frustrations following the Tipperary collapse. Waterford trained last night and again on Thursday as they look forward to the showdown with John McIntyre’s Galway. Manager Davy Fitzgerald will announce his starting line-up on Thursday and sources close to the Waterford camp have indicated that there will be three or four changes from the Tipperary game.

Meanwhile Kilkenny forward Aidan Fogarty has handed the Cats a major boost ahead of next month’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final by returning to full training. Fogarty missed the entire Leinster SHC campaign after suffering a leg break in the National League victory against Offaly at Nowlan Park last April. But the Emeralds star lined out in a practice match, in the unfamiliar position of corner back, as Kilkenny gear up for the last four of the All-Ireland series.

Henry Shefflin was not present at training last weekend as he is sick while JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh and Richie Power did not take part in the training match.

Walsh and John Dalton were seen pucking around on the sidelines while the rest of the panel completed more intensive drills and a full-scale practice match. Delaney and Walsh were also running while the match was in progress and are not believed to be in any danger of missing the semi-final.

Power, meanwhile, is believed to have picked up a knock recently but will be available for the semi-final.