Double injury blow for champions Stradbally

While Stradbally were ecstatically celebrating a one-point Waterford SFC replay victory over The Nire last Saturday night, two of their longest serving players spent the night in the hospital and will miss next Sunday’s Munster meeting with Cork champions Castlehaven.

Midfielder John Hearne’s worst fears were realised when hospital X-rays confirmed that he had broken a bone in his leg, while corner-back Trevor Costelloe suffered severe concussion.

Costelloe, who like Hearne was winning his eighth county senior championship medal, carried on for another two minutes before mentors realised he had to be substituted.