Hand injury rules Kelly out of Deise's Munster opener

Waterford forward Eoin Kelly is unlikely to play any role in the Deise's Munster SHC opener against Clare on June 1, after suffering a hand injury at the weekend.

The 2002 All-Star broke bones in his hand while lining out for his club Passage in the opening round of the Waterford championship against Lismore at Lemybrien on Saturday.

Kelly scored a goal in the first half from a free, as his side trailed by 1-11 to 2-04 at the interval.

However, Kelly's participation was brought to a premature end, early in the second half, when he suffered the blow and a subsequent x-ray indicated a broken bone, which will leave him out for at least six weeks.

Lismore went on to record a comfortable 2-19 to 2-8 victory in a game which was also notable for the contribution of Muiris Shanahan, younger brother of Waterford senior star Dan, who scored 12 points for the eventual winners.

Kelly, who has five Waterford SHC winners medals with Mount Sion, transferred to his new club last year as Passage recorded intermediate success.

Although the 2005 Deise senior captain missed Waterford's quarter-final loss to eventual champions Tipperary in the league earlier this month, Kelly was ever-present throughout the group stages and scored 2-24 in four games.

Meanwhile, a further blow was dealt to Waterford manager Justin McCarthy's championship preparations with the news that veteran player Tony Browne received a straight red card while in action for his club on Sunday.

The Mount Sion defender was introduced as a half-time substitute during their Waterford SHC encounter against Abbeyside at Walsh Park.

But Browne only lasted a minute on the field before being shown the red card. His side went on to lose the game by ten points.