Mahony adds to Waterford hurling woes with double leg fracture

By Peter O'Dwyer

Waterford hurler Philip Mahony is the latest Déise hurler to join the county’s lengthy injury list having been ruled out for the season.

Mahony suffered a double leg fracture and dislocated ankle during Ballygunner’s SHC victory over Ardmore on Sunday.

The wing-back turned awkwardly in sustaining the season-ending injury and is awaiting treatment at the private Whitfield Clinic in Waterford where he will undergo surgery today.

The injury is the latest in a series of injury blows to the Waterford panel ahead of their Munster championship opener with Cork on May 25.

Lismore’s Maurice Shanahan and Ballyduff Upper’s Stephen Molumphy, both key men in manager Derek McGrath’s side, also picked up injuries over the weekend with Shanahan struggling with a back problem and Molumphy nursing a hamstring injury.

Darragh Fives, Jake Dillon, Stephen Daniels, Stephen Bennett, Brian O’ Halloran and Richie Foley are already serious doubts for the May 25 showdown with Cork while Shane O’ Sullivan is suspended to add to the management’s woes.

Mahony had been a key performer for the Déise throughout their ultimately ill-fated league campaign which saw them relinquish their Division 1A status after defeat to Dublin in Walsh Park in March.

The former UCC Fitzgibbon Cup winner had only returned to the panel this season having missed last year’s campaign while travelling.