Seamus Callanan to miss opening two rounds of Munster SHC with broken hand

Tipperary attacker Seamus Callanan has confirmed that he is likely to miss the opening two rounds of the Munster SHC.

The three-time All-Ireland winner sustained a broken bone in his hand at training on the Friday before the league clash with Waterford on 6 March.

Callanan made his first start of the season in the defeat to Dublin in round three of the league and was named among the subs for the encounter against the Déise at Walsh Park.

Speaking at the launch of oneills.com's sponsorship of the U-20 hurling championship, the 33-year-old said the provincial round robin games against Waterford on 17 April and Clare a week later will come too early for him, but he's hopeful of featuring in the ties with Limerick and Cork on 8 May and 22 May respectively.

"Unfortunately I'd say the first few rounds are probably out for me," he revealed.

"There's a couple of wires in it there, so it just needs to, they need to be in it for a six-week period and then hopefully get back at it. So at the moment it's just running and trying to keep as ready as I can be. But obviously can't do much more than that at the moment.

"I won't know much more until I'm meeting the specialist again on Monday, next Monday. I can't see it being a case of them being able to take out the wires early but at the moment it's not looking good for the first two games. Look let's see, I'll keep my body ready anyway and hopefully be fit to contribute at some stage."

The Drom-Inch clubman, while obviously frustrated at the timing of his latest injury, is putting a positive spin on things.

"It's sport, it's contact sport, injuries happen, and I suppose in the broader scheme of things it could have been a lot worse," he added.

"That's just the way it is. I suppose ideally you