Waterford into fourth Munster Final in a row.

The world and its mother know only too well, that with the past three and a half years, I was not a happy camper when it came to the Waterford Senior Hurling team. While I always had the utmost of respect for all that they have achieved, when it came to the teams management it was an entirely different situation.

Writing an article for the ‘Munster Express’ which was included in their preview of the 2008 All-Ireland semi final between Waterford and Tipperary, I made a mention of the lack of ‘sexy hurling’ that was no longer been played, which proved so successful under Justin McCarthy and which won Waterford many fans all over the country and beyond.

One thing I love to see is - good hurling played. Sometimes if Waterford or any other team are beaten while I would have been disappointed, I would not have minded too much if people were entertained.

Watching the Waterford and Clare game, I was delighted with what I saw. Gone was all the negativity that we saw with the past three and a half years, gone was the idea that the ball had to be passed to certain players who had to do the bulk of the scoring for Waterford. Gone was the short passing, and players were shooting when given the chance to do so.

Of the six forwards that started for Waterford, all six got their names on the score sheet. When did we last see that happen for Waterford? The two that started in the middle of the field also got on the score sheet as did Richie Foley in the half back line. Martin O’Neill after coming on also chipped in with a point which meant of the twenty players used my Michael Ryan and his selectors, half of them score. Marvellous stuff and long may it last. And we should not forget that Thomas Ryan also had a great chance near the end. Some are critical that he did not take his point sooner than he did shoot, but credit one of the Clare defenders for getting in a timely hook just as he was about to pull the trigger.

And the game was not all about our attacking players. We also did well at the back. In our own half of the field we had three players making their debut, we had one returning to inter county championship hurling for the first time in a number of years, and it would be hard to find fault with anyone in our own half of the field as it would be difficult to fault our players in Clare’s half the field.

Stephen O’Keeffe in goals was rock solid. Nobody could or should fault him for the goal that passed him. Near the end he showed why he is so highly rated, making two excellent saves and with youth on his side he could be between the posts for some time to come.

Waterford’s full back line also impressed. Aidan Kearney may have been taken off at half time. Some will argue that he disappointed somewhat and had picked up a yellow card, but lets not forget that he is out of inter county hurling with some time and will need a few games to get back up to the pace of it. Liam Lawlor was again impressive at full back and Stephen Daniels in the other corner also had a very fine debut and could be hard to dislodge from the team.

Again the half back line did their job. Michael Walsh what can you say about him. He gave a typical Michael Walsh performance. Ok, he might not have done anything spectacular, but it’s not the job of a defender to be trying spectacular things. He did the simple things and did them right and that’s all we can ask and should expect. Kevin Moran also had an excellent game and showed that while he will give his all where ever he is asked to play, but he showed that when in the half back line he is at his best. To many the naming of Richie Foley at wing back was a bit of a shock. He had a quite day and was taken off late in the game, but we all know that he will be back showing exactly what he can do in the future.

What can be said of the centre field paring? Philip Mahony on his debut without been spectacular was impressive, while Stephen Molumphy gave a typical Stephen Molumphy performance. The Ballyduff Upper man for some reason is under valued by some hurling supporters in Waterford, most often on some of the internet forums. However, anyone that sees him playing regularly with club and county will know what his game is all about. He might not get the five, six or seven scores some players get but what he does is to bring other players into the game and sets them up to score and also is able when needed able to fall back and help his defenders when needed.

Seamus Prendergast at Centre Forward had his best game in a Waterford shirt in a number of years and surly must have run Stephen Molumphy close for the official man of the match award. Along side him, Maurice Shanahan also had a solid game finishing the game with seven points, two of which were from play. On the other wing Eoin Kelly by his standards had a quite game, but was still a thorn in the sides of the Clare defence. Have no doubt that Eoin Kelly is going to pull off one or two big performances for Waterford this year. Maybe, just maybe, if free taking duties could be split between him and Maurice, with each taking frees on the side of the field he is playing, he could be brought into the game more than he was on Sunday.

Shane Walsh at full forward was again magnificent. He finished the game early, hopefully not with an injury as some were suggesting with a 1-1 after his name. Along side him, John Mullane was again in fine form. Some seem to be critical of him finishing the game with just three points, but under Michael Ryan and his selectors, his game seems to be chancing and we not do not over rely on him for scores and he is bringing others more and more into the game, something we saw again recently while playing with De La Salle. Gavin O’Brien was the fourth player making his debut from the start and while he was quite, lets not forget that he is still very young and no doubt with his ability will come back with many fine performances in a Waterford shirt for many years to come.

The subs that Waterford brought in also played a key role. Noel Connors came on for Aidan Kearney at Half time and looked impressive as he returned from a recent injury which had kept him out of much of the year to date. Paul O’Brien impressed immensely after coming on as did Martin O’Neill. Some were critical of Thomas Ryan for a miss late in the game after he made a good run at the Clare goal, but lets not forget that we don’t have eyes on the back of our heads and he was not to know that a Clare defender was going to get the slightest of touches on his hurley as he was about to shoot. Dean Twomey also made his debut coming on as a sub and no doubt will be looking to win more game time in games in the future with Waterford.

Next up is a Munster Final appearance on July 15 against the winners of next weekend’s second semi final against either Cork or Tipperary. If it’s Cork, the fame will be in Thurles, if it’s Tipperary then it’s a trip to the Southern Capital. Which ever it will be, it’s going to be a tough game, and as good as Waterford were on Sunday, they will know to beat either, they will have to step up a gear or two on the performance against Clare.