WATERFORD WILL HAVE to plan without one of their top forwards ahead of this summer’s championship.
Tom Devine has told Derek McGrath and Dan Shanahan that he’ll spend the time travelling rather than lining out for the county.
The medical student had impressed for the Deise so far this year.
“With college and career demands looming large in the next year or two, this is essentially my last chance to travel for a summer,” he writes in a statement released after the Irish Examiner first reported the news today.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but have been putting off for a few years now, and this year I simply can’t pass the opportunity to travel. The decision was not an easy one to make on my behalf.
“It has been an amazing experience for me to have been involved with such a professional, yet close-knit and supportive set up over the last four years. I’d like to personally thank the players, backroom team and especially Derek and Dan for everything they’ve done. The work put in by everyone involved is staggering and not always appreciated by those outside of the panel and backroom team.
“Derek and Dan have always had a holistic attitude towards both life and sport and have always wanted the best for us players in all aspects of life. I’m glad to be leaving with their blessing, and it’s been both a pleasure and an honour to have been involved with men of their calibre.”
Waterford face either Cork or Tipperary in a Munster SHC semi-final on 18 June.
