Defender Darragh Fives lone Waterford injury concern

Darragh Fives is set to miss the opening rounds of Waterford’s Allianz Hurling League campaign with a fresh quad muscle problem.

Defender Fives was ruled out of the concluding stages of last year’s championship with a similar issue and Déise selector Dan Shanahan confirmed they are planning without the Tourin clubman for the Munster SHL and possibly the first two rounds of the Allianz League.

But Fives is Waterford’s only long-term injury worry as they plan for Sunday’s Munster League opener against Limerick at Fraher Field. Shanahan said: “Darragh is the only long-term injury concern but he should be ok for the second or third round of the League. Apart from that, we have a clean bill of health. Darragh’s problem is not as bad as first feared and he’s doing a bit of light running on the field. The physio will let us know when he’s good to go.” Shanahan also confirmed a knee injury sustained by promising young defender Micheál Harney will rule him out for upto 8 weeks.