BIG SELECTION DILEMMA
Doran definitely out while Breen a serious concern
THE WEXFORD Senior hurling team management face a selection dilemma going into Sunday’s All-Ireland championship quarter-final with Waterford at Semple Stadium, Thurles (2 p.m.).
The backroom team have already been robbed of a number of key players with long-term injuries to Andrew Shore, Shane Tomkins, Shaun Murphy and David Redmond, but this has now been added to since that marvellous victory over Cork.
Forward Podge Doran received a serious knee injury in that game, facing up to four to six weeks out with fractured bone and ligament damage to his knee, while Aidan Nolan will only be available for ten to 15 minutes at most as against Cork.
But unfortunately there was further alarm in the camp over the weekend when it became known that corner-back James Breen is now a huge concern. Breen was diagnosed with viral meningitis which saw him detained in Waterford University Hospital over the weekend, with a possible release today (Tuesday).
While Liam Ryan has had the plaster and pin removed from his broken thumb, he is unlikely to start. While in contention for a return, his seven-week absence is likely to see him confined to the bench.
But despite the injury concerns, manager Liam Dunne is still relishing the Waterford challenge.
‘We are all looking forward to the Waterford game. The lads had very good training sessions on Friday evening and Saturday. Apart from those injured everyone else is flying,’ he said.
‘We will bring our own game to the table, whatever Waterford bring we’ll have to wait and see. Waterford are not going to change at this stage, irrespective of what happened in the Munster final, as up to then their plan had served them well.
‘We will have to adapt to meet the Waterford system and use our heads, as it may not be of use pumping high ball continually in on top of three to four defenders. When we met in the league we adapted and coped with their plan, so it’s just a case of bringing our own game and applying the pressure on Waterford.
‘We are in an All-Ireland quarter-final so we will give it one hell of a cut,’ Dunne said.
Meanwhile, Minor manager, Eamonn Scallan, has reported no injury concerns ahead of their All-Ireland quarter-final with Lim- erick which has a 12 noon start.
‘Should we give a performance we are capable of winning,’ he said.
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