TIPPERARY’S KIERAN BERGIN suffered a fresh injury setback yesterday and will join corner-back Cathal Barrett on the sidelines for next Sunday’s Allianz HL Division 1 semi-final against Waterford.
Bergin, who sustained ankle ligament damage in the league quarter-final victory over Offaly, came on for his club Killenaule at half-time against Éire Óg Annacarty in yesterday’s 0-14 to 0-8 county senior hurling championship victory.
But Bergin, 29, went off in the second half with a hand injury and underwent X-rays last night which confirmed that he has broken a bone in his hand.
Bergin’s latest injury is another concern for county boss Eamon O’Shea, who is planning without 2014 Young Hurler of the year Barrett for next Sunday’s Nowlan Park showdown against Waterford.
Barrett damaged his shoulder on Tipp’s warm-weather training camp in Spain last week and returned home early.
A Tipperary spokesman confirmed last night that Barrett will not feature against the Déise and that his shoulder will be assessed further in the coming days.
There are fears, however, that the 21-year-old could out for a month or more, which would also rule him out of a possible League final appearance against Cork or Dublin.
As things stand, it appears that Barrett and Bergin will play no further part in Tipperary’s Allianz League campaign.
But with O’Shea’s men not due to play Clare or Limerick in the Munster SHC semi-final until 21 June, time is very much on the pair’s side as they attempt to regain full fitness.
