Waterford to Begin with a Win

Waterford’s record in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship since Justin McCarthy departed as team manager in 2008 hardly stands out.

Under the Cork man between 2002 and 2008 Waterford played some of its best ever hurling, certainly since what some would describe as the Counties best ever period between 1957 and 1963 when the County won three Munster Finals as well as one All-Ireland and one National League Final, losing out in one other All-Ireland Final title.

Under McCarthy Waterford ended a 39 year spell without a Munster title winning the first of three title won under his guidance in 2002 in his first season in charge having taken over from another Cork man Gerald McCarthy and they also won a National League title in 2007 the year that many still feel that Waterford should have won the All-Ireland title with many pointing out having to play three weekends in a row, twice against Cork and then against Limerick not helping the side. There was some who at the time argued that the then County Board should have done more to get a break between the second game with Cork and the game with Limerick, but maybe many might forget that Clare and Tipperary earlier that year also had to play three weekends running in the Munster Championship when they could not be separated.

Since McCarthy departed after his side lost to Clare in 2008, Waterford have played 22 Munster Championship games of which just seven resulted in wins for Waterford and there was four draws as well along the way.

But while Waterford’s Munster Championship results in the last ten seasons might well be described as somewhat disappointing, it has to be pointed out that under the guidance of Davy Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan and more recently Derek McGrath Waterford in the All-Ireland series have fared much better reaching their quota of All-Ireland quarter finals, semi finals and even finals under Davy Fitzgerald in 2008 and Derek McGrath just two seasons ago.

Waterford last year just like Tipperary who also had to play four weekends running did not enjoy the best of Munster Final campaigns as the two sides missed out on a place in the All-Ireland Series of games.

But I feel that this year is one that is going to be much better for Waterford. To finish in the top three and stake a place in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals or even Semi Finals as Munster Champions will not be easy as between the five counties in the Munster side of the draw on a given day there is hardly a puck of the ball between the sides.

Last year I feel Waterford were on the wrong side of the fixtures draw. Getting a bye in the first round of fixtures meant that when Derek McGrath’s side travelled to Ennis to play Clare in their first game in the second round of fixtures in a new look Munster Championship they were already playing catch up on sides they were competing with as they had already put points on the league table before Waterford got to play.

Yes, I know all sides had four games to play but sometimes points on the table is much better than a game in hand on those you are competing with.

This year Waterford once more have four games to play in a row, but the bye is at the end of the fixture list for the five counties meaning that if Waterford have the points needed to gain an All-Ireland Quarter Final place at a minimum after they play their fourth game, the pressure could well be on the other sides in the fifth round of fixtures.

Ideally of course Waterford might well like to have had two games then a bye and two more games when it came to the way the fixtures were made, but we don’t live in an ideal world.

After Waterford lost out to Galway in the All-Ireland Final while attending a club game in Dungarvan, the question was asked in press box at Fraher Field, was there and All-Ireland in Waterford.

Without having to think for two long I said there was and I firmly believe that Waterford are not far from winning a first title since 1959. Will that happen in 2019, I don’t know. It would be nice to think it could, sixty years after Frankie Walsh lead his side up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the Liam McCarthy Cup.

To win the title is not going to be easy. There are a number of sides going to be serious contenders. Reigning champions Limerick and last year’s runners up Galway are going to be there again. So too will Tipperary, Cork, Clare and Kilkenny. Dublin it’s hard to make a call on them. Wexford I am not sure about and it is hard to see Carlow do anything, even if we all would like to see the Minnow do something that nobody expect.

The experts are telling us that home advantage in games is a big thing. Statistics show that the home team when there is one goes on to win about three quarters of the games. Personally I would like to think that the best team win on a given day. I have heard some say that the referee can be swayed in the big calls when there is a home support on his back. I would hope this is not true and that referee’s regardless of who is playing and where would referee the game in a fair manor to both sides.

Waterford had an excellent league campaign, topping Division 1B and going on to contest the final against All-Ireland Champions Limerick.

Waterford have named a strong team for the game in Walsh Park tomorrow and what is pleasing about the current Waterford set up is that there is plenty of options coming off the bench. It is important to remember that in the current game that the game is no longer about 15 men, it is about the five subs available to be put on and even the two or three that might be called upon next week to come in and do a job if there is injuries or suspensions picked up.

Clare no doubt would love to have remained in the league longer and coming to Waterford one think will be in the back of their minds. When the two sides met in the quarter finals of the league at Walsh Park back in March Clare conceded 31 points.

What happened in that game will play no part this weekend. That game is not history, but at the same time you can’t but help thinking maybe that some of the Clare players might be thinking can Waterford serve up another performance like that on what is a Walsh Park that is in pristine condition which will suit some of the speed merchants that Waterford have held in reserve for this game.

If the experts are right and home advantage counts for something, then Waterford will win this game. The only thing to be decided is the winning margin. But if Clare were to travel down believing those who make claims about home advantage, what is the point in them travelling and putting big amounts of money into the team. Would it not be better for them if the experts are right about home advantage, staying back up in Clare and getting ready for their first home game in two weeks time against Tipperary in Ennis, sending down a second string junior team to go through the motions against Pauric Fanning’s side, telling them before they leave to enjoy the trip.

The Capacity of Walsh Park might not reach the level set of just over 11,000 but it will come pretty close to it. I have no doubt that those that watch it at the venue or at home on the television will be served up an entertaining game that will be much closer that the 0-31 to 1-14 win that Waterford had back in March in Walsh Park.

So who will win? For me it will be the home side, not because of the home advantage thing that some are alluding to but because I feel Waterford have the better panel of the two sides and have some great options to come off the bench.