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Shanahan has played a central role in Waterford's run to the final. Ken Sutton/INPHO
Race Against Time

Waterford star Shanahan will find out next week if he can play in National League final

The prolific forward is a major doubt for the clash with Clare.

Updated at 21:45

WATERFORD FORWARD MAURICE Shanahan will discover next Tuesday whether or not he will be fit to play in the Allianz Hurling League final against Clare on Sunday week, 1 May.

The Lismore attacker missed the impressive semi-final victory over Limerick with a groin problem and travelled to Cork to see a specialist in recent days.

The Déise remain hopeful that Shanahan will be fit to line out against the Banner County in a Munster SHC semi-final dress rehearsal but will have to wait until early next week before finding out for sure.

“Maurice is gone to see a specialist so we’ll know more later on, he’s in Cork with a specialist so we’ll know more when he gets the results,” brother and Waterford selector Dan Shanahan said last night. 

“It’s a groin injury maybe coming from the hip, he didn’t want to chance it last week and he came to us and said he wasn’t right which is fair enough.

We are hoping he’ll be ok for Sunday and if he’s not he’ll be back for the championship then definitely.”

Shanahan hit 12 points in the one-point victory over Wexford in his last appearance as Waterford advanced from Division 1A with three wins from five outings.

It would be a major setback for Derek McGrath to be without his most prolific forward for the clash with Davy Fitzgerald’s side but Shanahan insists the Déise’s squad is strong enough to cope.

Maurice Shanahan lines up to take a free Shanahan would be a big loss for Waterford in their quest to defend their league crown. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

In Shanahan’s absence, young guns Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett stepped up to the mark against Limerick, hitting 2-13 between them on the day.

And Dan Shanahan added: ”That’s what we have a panel for.

“Every team is going to get hit with injuries and it’s about how you deal with them. And I think we have dealt with them fairly good.

“We have picked a very strong panel over the last couple of years and I think that showed in the Galway game this year. We keep an eye on the panel and we just have to give them a chance and see how they get on when they play.

“Everyone has injuries, Clare had them too with three lads missing but we can only worry about ourselves and they are clearing up.”

Dan Shanahan was speaking at the launch of the John West Féile na nGael Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford.

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