Déise door is left ajar for savvy Coughlan to return

DESPITE reports of Barry Coughlan’s (right) retirement from intercounty hurling, Waterford manager Páraic Fanning revealed that a way back will always be available to the full-back who was a mainstay of the defence under Derek McGrath. ‘I spoke to Barry. He has been there seven or eight years and he knows that the door isn’t closed on him either. We won’t be operating a closed panel. If guys are performing they’ll stay in the panel, if they’re not we may have to look elsewhere,’ insisted the new manager. ‘I’ve a lot of respect for Barry. ‘He has been a big player for Waterford over the last number of years so we won’t be closing the door on players with that level of experience.’