Ryan: Browne in no hurry to decide future

Waterford hurling boss Michael Ryan says Tony Browne will delay making a decision on his inter-county future until the onset of the New Year.

The remarkable Déise legend will be 40 next July, but Ryan hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Browne lining out at the top level once more in 2013.

“It’s much too soon for Tony Browne to decide on whether he will continue to play with the county next year,” said Ryan.

“It’s only just over two weeks since the game against Cork and there’s plenty of time for Tony to make up his mind. At the moment, Tony has turned his attentions to playing for his club, and I’d say it will be January before he makes up his mind about next year.”

At club level, Browne is busily preparing for Mount Sion’s next championship outing – against city rivals Roanmore on September 2. If Browne does decide to keep the hurling world in suspense until early 2013, he will be following in the footsteps of county team-mate Seamus Prendergast, at 32 the next oldest player on the Waterford panel after the Mount Sion clubman.

“I’ve an open mind about whether I will continue playing for Waterford,” explained Prendergast.

“At the moment, I’m just focusing on getting back with the club [Ardmore] and we’ll be involved in both the hurling and football championship over the coming weeks. When the two are over I’ll take a break and sometime after Christmas or early New Year I’ll make a decision.”