Breaking: Tipp hurler Michael Breen out of action for up to a month after a freak injury

Tipperary hurler Michael Breen is expected to be out of action for up to a month after a freak accident in training saw him damage ankle ligaments.

Breen was picked to play at midfield for the game against Cork yesterday, but the injury on Thursday evening forced a revision of the side and the Ballina man has been having treatment for the damage ever since. He is to undergo a scan this week to determine the exact nature of the damage but according to Manager Michael Ryan, he is looking at up to a month on the sidelines, which rules him out of the Munster campaign.

The injury occurred during training when the squad was working under Trainer Gary Ryan. There was nobody in proximity to Breen when he went over on his ankle and damaged the ligaments. He had featured in the attack for Tipperary throughout the league campaign but was likely to have been deployed further outfield in yesterdays thrilling game against Cork, had he remained fit.

Cathal Barrett - likely to be available for Tipp on Sunday.

Meanwhile, there is better news on the injury front for Michael Ryan and his management team in that Cathal Barrett is likely to be available for next weeks clash with Waterford in Limerick. The Holycross Ballycahill defender has been inching his way back to full fitness having been hampered by a hamstring strain and is on course to make the squad for the Deise game. Kilruane MacDonagh's Niall O'Meara is also returning to training but the game might just come too quickly for him at this stage.