Luckless de Burca ruled out for the season with Achilles injury

Waterford defender Tadhg de Burca has suffered another season-ending injury after being forced off in the Munster SHC defeat to Limerick today.

The luckless De Burca has been ruled out of the rest of the season by manager Davy Fitzgerald after injuring his Achilles in the first half at Semple Stadium.

The Clashmore/Kinsalebeg defender suffered a cruciate injury in the 2020 All-Ireland final defeat to Limerick – his second in 15 months - spending 14 months sidelined as he worked to get his way back to full fitness.

De Burca made his return during last year's league campaign, but against the Treaty men again, the influential defender was forced off the field.

"His Achilles is gone, he’s in trouble, he’s out for the rest of the year I’d say," Fitzgerald told RTÉ Sport after the game.

"I’m absolutely gutted because the way he prepared in the off-season, the months he put in rehab.

"We worked so hard on him. I’m absolutely gutted for him.

"It’s a massive loss for us, there is no point saying otherwise."