Eamon O’Shea hoping defensive duo recover

Tipperary hurling manager Eamon O’Shea is sweating on the fitness of defenders Cathal Barrett and Paddy Stapleton for Sunday week’s Munster SHC final against Waterford.

The two corner-backs may not be fit in time for the decider, set for Semple Stadium, but sharpshooter Seamus Callanan, who lost several teeth in an accidental collision in the semi-final win over Limerick, will line out for the Premier County.

“We have bits and pieces,” said O’Shea last night.

“I think nearly all our corner-backs aren’t 100% yet. Cathal [Barrett] is only back now, so he only played for the first time on Tuesday. We’ll have to wait and see how he gets on. It’s just coming back. Paddy [Stapleton] is probably the most serious. He has a groin problem — I don’t know exactly, because I don’t get involved in what’s wrong with them — but he’s probably the most doubtful.

“The others have bits and pieces, we won’t know because they haven’t trained. Seamus is okay. He played the other night. It was a serious injury, but he’s fine. ”

O’Shea paid tribute to Tipperary’s opponents, pointing out that his team have not beaten Waterford yet, despite the sides meeting three times.

“I rate Waterford very highly. Any team that’s unbeaten for the year — we’ve played them twice in challenge matches, down in Clonmel and again in Dungarvan [and in the NHL semi-final]. They played the same way against us and we haven’t found a way around them yet.

“They have a lot of good young players, so it hasn’t surprised me, no. I met Derek [McGrath, Waterford manager] last summer and I knew they were going to have a good season.”