Can Ryan’s Waterford retain their lofty position? – Waterford v Clare preview

Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey spoke recently on Newstalk about last year’s Munster semi final defeat. “John Mullane’s goal got through six bodies - I watched it back and it was heartbreaking. It got through six bodies and took a deflection off one. I thought we had done enough, I really think we did and that’s why we were absolutely crestfallen.”

Waterford rode their luck that day, especially near the end but crucially came through with the result. They absorbed everything Limerick could throw at them including a goal before half time, a Kevin Downes double that exposed weaknesses in the full back line and the dominance of the Treaty half back line. They were on the ropes but remained in contention to land the killer punch. In Davy Fitzgerald’s time in charge Waterford routinely dug out unlikely championship results including three wins by the minimum (Wexford ’08, Galway ’09 and Limerick ’11). He brought a consistency of performance that saw them beat every team apart from Kilkenny during four championship campaigns. Marquee names like Paul Flynn, Dan Shanahan and Ken McGrath all moved on at various points along the way while other established figures in the Justin years like James Murray, Eoin Murphy, Tom Feeney, Brian Phelan and Dave Bennett also stepped off the stage. Fitzgerald oversaw that transition in a steady fashion but can this current crop maintain a lofty position amongst the hurling elite? Remember that Waterford have reached the semi finals every year since 2006 and have been Croke Park regulars since 2004 (a record that only Kilkenny can match).

If most of this year’s championship previews are to be believed, Waterford’s place in the top four is under threat. We have heard it all before of course but this time the evidence seems hard to ignore. In this fixture two years ago, Fitzgerald brought on the two Prendergasts, the two McGraths and Shane Walsh to keep his native county at bay. For all sorts of reasons this panel doesn’t contain the same depth. Up to a third of the team that eyed up Kilkenny last August could be unavailable. Despite the pool of underage talent coming through, that volume of departures dents Waterford’s ambitions for 2012. Fitzgerald kept the county competitive in a period of reshuffle and a similar challenge faces Michael Ryan. Sunday’s game offers an accurate barometer of the degree to which Ryan has coped with the task. Waterford always took care of business against counties below them in the hurling rankings under the previous management and no slip ups will be tolerated this time.

The tactical landscape presents a number of possibilities especially from a Clare perspective. Will they adopt the same high intensity game that put Kilkenny under pressure in the league semi final? They matched the Cats in the physical stakes for the first half that day before running out of steam. On paper the Banner men wouldn’t appear to be most intimidating size wise but they put in some big hits against a team renowned for their power. While they will emerge from the blocks with the passion and fire that Davy demands, they will also seek to use their heads in possession. Expect plenty of short, snappy passes along with good off the ball running, support and movement. Waterford struggled to cope with Limerick’s short game last year and Clare’s pacy wing forwards (Sean Collins and Jonathan Clancy) managed to land five points from play in 2010 when they took on the Déise rearguard. While the youth dotted throughout the field brings vibrancy and enthusiasm to the team, they lack a couple of experienced heads who know what is required to win big championship tussles. John Conlon noted in an interview with the Irish Examiner during the week that “this is my fourth year and we haven’t won a championship game since I’ve been here." That may count against them when the going gets tough down the home stretch.

In terms of the Waterford tactics board, the last two league outings offered cause for optimism. The aimless play that characterised those three dismal league defeats was replaced by intelligent use of possession and good movement up front. The delivery of the ball into the full forward line improved visibly and the likes of John Mullane, Shane Walsh and Gavin O’Brien lapped it up. The space left in front of that lethal inside line also helped matters but it is unlikely that Davy will allow the room that Waterford enjoyed in the first half against the Dubs. The intensity levels also moved up a notch against Galway and Dublin from the embarrassing concession of 31 points at Semple Stadium. The big question is how will the 11 week break blunt Waterford’s sharpness and their capacity to get up to the pace of championship hurling?

The match ups at either end also require some thought from both managers. Conlon along with Conor McGrath offer Clare's most obvious attacking threat. McGrath announced his arrival on the senior stage with a belter of a goal past Brendan Cummins last summer and he continues to grow in stature. He rifled over a dozen points in the Division 1B final and also sparkled during UL’s Fitzgibbon Cup run. He may be placed at full forward so Ryan needs to consider a speedy marker to curb his influence. Davy meanwhile, is likely to pinpoint Mullane and may choose Conor Cooney to shadow the De La Salle man for the afternoon. Mullane’s record in this company makes for good reading. He has scored twenty points in five championship meetings including eight points in the 2008 edition. Close by, the robust battle between Shane Walsh and Cian Dillon will also prove pivotal.

Team selection also attracts a lot of attention even if the starting fifteen at county, college and club level almost never bears any relation anymore to the published list. Despite the substantial loss of Pauric Mahony and the almost unnoticed departure of the promising Brian O’Sullivan, Waterford can call upon proven firepower. Gavin O’Brien and Martin O’Neill sprouted during the league and in addition, Maurice Shanahan enjoyed his most productive outings in a Deise shirt while also maintaining his dazzling club form in recent weeks. The abilities of Mullane, Walsh and Kelly are well known while Seamus Prendergast’s presence and ball winning ability may again be vital assets at centre forward. Kevin Moran and Dean Twomey combined well at the tail end of the league and can mix it in the physical stakes along with bringing serious application and an ability to support the attack. The return of Richie Foley and Wayne Hutchinson bolsters options further even if this game may come that bit too soon in terms of earning a starting berth. The make up of the defensive sextet hinges largely on the fitness of Noel Connors and Darragh Fives. Late fitness tests will assess whether they make the final cut. Meanwhile, Clare’s selection shouldn’t deviate too much from the knock out stages of the league with no more than a couple of positions in doubt.

So many questions hang over this fixture and, as reflected in the bookies odds, little separates the two teams on paper. The Davy factor will offer a colourful distraction off the field but the battle between the white lines also provides plenty of intrigue. It ultimately boils down to a clash between the team which has been down this road before and an unproven bunch with an abundance of potential and energy. If Waterford can shake off their own rustiness and ride out Clare’s anticipated early storm, that edge in terms of leadership, recognised match winners (including up to five All Star winners) and know how in terms of winning big championship games may just prove sufficient to edge them through to a fourth consecutive Munster final and maintain a remarkably consistent level of championship performance.

Blue and White GAA Starting Fifteen: Stephen O’Keeffe, Darragh Fives, Liam Lawlor, Aidan Kearney, Tony Browne, Michael Walsh, Philip Mahony, Kevin Moran, Dean Twomey, Maurice Shanahan, Seamus Prendergast, Eoin Kelly, John Mullane, Shane Walsh, Gavin O’Brien.

Munster SHC Semi Final
Waterford v Clare
Throw in 4.00 at Semple Stadium

MoreReferee: James McGrath (Westmeath)

Betting:
Waterford 11/10 Draw 9/1 Clare 10/11