BLUES GUNNER HAVE TO WAIT FOR PANELLISTS

PAUDIE FITZGERALD isn't expecting to see the Ballygunner contingent back in with the Waterford panel anytime too soon.

- BY STEPHEN BARRY PAUDIE FITZGERALD

The Gunners have made a happy habit of hurling into December over the past five seasons, sweeping up four Munster titles.

Déise panellists Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald, Peter Hogan, Kevin Mahony, and Ian Kenny will be back in action against St Martin's on Sunday as they bid to extend their club season by reaching next month's All-Ireland final.

Heading into his fourth year on the Waterford panel, Paudie Fitzgerald has witnessed up close what makes those players so special.

He has full confidence that they'll be back in Croke Park in January before rejoining the county panel in the spring.

Talking about the Waterford squad, Fitzgerald said: “We've got a lot of new fellas in. Numbers are high enough, especially while the Ballygunner lads are out.