Bennett boost and Prunty blow ahead of crucial Offaly clash

Stephen Bennett is set to return to the Waterford squad ahead of Sunday’s vital Division 1A encounter with Offaly. 

The 2020 All Star has been out of action since damaging his knee and shinbone in Ballysaggart’s Premier Intermediate semi final loss to Tallow last August.

"Stephen might see action next week,” Déise boss Peter Queally remarked after Sunday’s shock win over Limerick. 

“He will be a big addition to us. He is chomping at the bit.” 

Queally will be forced into a defensive reshuffle however as captain Conor Prunty limped off fifteen minutes from the end. 

“I think he pulled a quad muscle. It's an ongoing issue with Conor every year. I won't lie to you, it has put a dampener on this. Conor is a massive player for us. He was having a huge game at full back. He's a colossus there. He's probably going to be on the sidelines for a while. He'll do everything he can to get back whenever that is.” 

After Prunty’s departure, Mark Fitzgerald went to number three and Carthach Daly came on at midfield. That might be the way Waterford line up against Offaly.

The Ballygunner contingent will return to training this week. How many will make the matchday squad remains to be seen. “Hopefully one or two will tog,” Queally commented. 

“They have different injuries, knocks and niggles and they had a bit of celebrating and stuff. They have a little bit of training to do before they are thrown back into it.”