Newly-crowned Waterford hurling champions Passage will be without key defender Noel Connors for their maiden Munster club SHC campaign.

The county star will jet out to Thailand today for a three-month break and won't be available for any of the provincial campaign. Connors lined out at centre back as Passage staged an incredible late comeback to win their first SHC title at Ballygunner's expense in Walsh Park yesterday.

Afterwards, Passage boss Peter Queally - who is tipped to become the next Waterford manager - noted how it was a dream come true for the village side to win a county championship.

"It's hard to put it into words, you only have to look around and you'll see the scenes, people with tears in their eyes. Words won't describe this, the people all around in red and white tops, the looks on their faces," he is quoted in the Irish Examiner. Tweet

Most Read Stories