Fitzgerald injured as Gunners chase 11-in-a-row

Ballygunner's Patrick Fitzgerald in action with Abbeyside’s Billy O’Connell during Rd1 of the J.J.Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship in Fraher Field. Pic: Sean Byrne

Tomás McCarthy 2022 All-Ireland club champions Ballygunner remain the team to beat as the Waterford SHC throws in this weekend.

The side chasing eleven county titles in a row will start the championship without Déise attacker Patrick Fitzgerald, however. 

He will be sidelined until the knockout stages at least due to a broken jaw.

Manager Darragh O’Sullivan is back for his sixth season in charge. The Gunners are on a 53 match unbeaten run on the local scene. Their last championship defeat came against De La Salle on June 23, 2015. 

The three in a row Munster champions lost to St Thomas’ on penalties in an epic All-Ireland semi final last December.

O’Sullivan has added former Déise minor hurling manager Darragh Duggan to his backroom team. He will work alongside David Franks and Aidan Maher. The holders enjoy a rest week before they begin their title defence against Dungarvan on July 27.

Former Cork defender Eoin Cadogan returns to the Dungarvan dugout. The Blues won’t be able to call on county midfielder Darragh Lyons for their first round game against Lismore on Saturday as he is away at present. 

All-Ireland minor and under-21 medallist Patrick Curran is their talisman. 2015 All-Star Maurice Shanahan leads the Lismore attack.

Austin Gleeson will be the star attraction on Saturday evening in Walsh Park as Mount Sion tackle Passage. 

The 2016 Hurler of the Year recently declared his intention to return to the county fold in 2025 after taking a season out. 

Three-time All Star Noel Connors is part of the Passage backroom team under new manager Gavin Nolan from Kilkenny.

Former Waterford football boss Benji Whelan will lead the Abbeyside hurlers in 2024. The Villagers face 2023 Premier Intermediate Champions Ferrybank in the curtain raiser at Walsh Park.

Six of the twelve senior clubs have gone for a change of management. Derek Lyons is the new Fourmilewater boss. The Dungarvan man guided the Waterford camogie team to the All Ireland semi finals in 2022. 

He managed the Déise minor hurlers in 2014 and took on the Under 21s a year later. Fourmile lost to Ballygunner in last year’s county semi final.

Clonea and Tallow get the championship underway at 7.30 tonight in Fraher Field. Billy Power is back from Boston to boost the Clonea attack. 

Tallow will look to former county forward Tommy Ryan for inspiration.