WATERFORD SURGE SEES CLASS OF CURRAN RISE

WATERFORD will await confirmation of their minor quarter-final win over Antrim after a severe injury to the Saffrons’ Jude McCurdy led to a premature stoppage at Ashbourne. It is understood that McCurdy was being kept in hospital overnight, but Antrim officials are hopeful that the injury is not as serious as originally feared with the player believed to have suffered ligament damage. The Déise had 20 points to spare over the Ulster champions, who kept in touch for the opening quarter but then bowed to the class of Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran and Michael Kearney. The teams were level at 0-3 apiece after 11 minutes but the Déise outscored Antrim by 1-8 to 0-8 in the remainder of the half, with Curran firing home the first goal on 14 minutes. A Christy McNaughton free signalled Antrim’s first score on 19 minutes, but Curran cancelled the score out to take a 1-11 to 0-4 lead into the break. The Déise kicked into gear in the second half with goals from Stephen Bennett and Curran. McCurdy’s treatment led to the game being blown up a few minutes to go and Croke Park are today expected to discuss whether the result will stand.