Waterford will be without the services of Eoin Kelly for the entire Munster championship after the former All Star was hit with a 12-week suspension.
Kelly received a straight red card during the league clash with Offaly on April 9th and the ban, handed out at a meeting of the Central Disciplinary Committee last night, will start from that date, ruling him out until the start of July.
Paul Flynn is also facing a spell on the sidelines after his dismissal against Limerick although his four-week ban is due to expire before Waterford get their championship underway at the start of June.
Kelly's enforced absence will be keenly felt by Justin McCarthy's side who have also lost John Mullane to a long-term injury while Ken McGrath is struggling to be fit having aggravated an old knee injury.
Other suspensions meted out last night saw Laois hurler Michael McEvoy and Clare footballer Frank O'Dea ruled out for a month while Donal Buckley, the joint manager of the Clare footballers, received an eight-week touchline ban.
