Waterford without Bennett and Flynn

Waterford will without their top scorer and team captain when they take on All-Ireland champions Cork in Sunday’s SHC semi-final at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

Midfielder Dave Bennett (ankle ligament) and team captain and forward Paul Flynn (hernia) have both been omitted from the Deise line-up due to injury.

Bennett, who was on free-taking duty in Flynn’s absence, damaged his ankle in the quarter-final defeat of Tipperary.

The Lismore man has proved to be one of Waterford’s most effective players this summer - leading their scoring with a run of 0-20 (14f) during the qualifier series. He also struck 0-6 (5f) against Tipp.

Flynn’s absence was also expected given that the 2004 All-Star corner-forward is due to undergo a hernia operation, but he made a sizeable impression as a substitute against Tipp and will hope to do something similar against Cork.

Deise manager Justin McCarthy has opted to make two changes in personnel for the semi-final with James Murray and Jack Kennedy - both substitutes last time out - being promoted to the starting XV.

Murray steps in at left half-back with Brian Phelan filling in for Bennett in a new midfield partnership with Eoin Kelly. Kennedy takes over at left half-forward from Kelly, whose movement to centre-field means Shane Sullivan has been squeezed out.

Eager sub Flynn does not see the fact that Waterford have lost three semi-finals at Croke Park since 1998 being a difficulty for his men.

The 31-year-old said: “Effectively there’s no problem with Croke Park whatsoever. I know we’ve lost three semi-finals there, but if we lost them in Thurles, would there be a Thurles hoodoo?

“No sweat, no problem with the stadium. Just a problem with the opposition over the years!”

Cork have beaten Waterford six times in their last ten championship meetings, but Flynn’s side did get the upper hand in the 2004 Munster final.

If they were to prosper on Sunday, it would be Waterford’s first win in an All-Ireland semi-final since 1957.

WATERFORD (SHC v Cork) - C Hennessy; D Prendergast, T Feeney, E Murphy; T Browne, K McGrath, J Murray; E Kelly, B Phelan; D Shanahan, S Prendergast, J Kennedy; J Mullane, M Walsh, E McGrath.