A time for patience and a time for goals - Westmeath v Waterford preview

 

On a washout of a Sunday afternoon back in 2006, several championship games fell by the wayside including the televised action between Galway and Sligo. The RTÉ cameras decided to quickly switch their attention to waterlogged Portlaoise where the game between Westmeath and Dublin was still going ahead as planned.

The Sky Blues were strongly tipped to become the emerging force in Leinster but their opponents had other ideas. The pitch became nearly unplayable as the splashes of water became visible on screen. Westmeath were well equipped to deal with it however. Their team contained warriors like Paul Greville, Enda Loughlin, Andrew Mitchell and Barry Kennedy. A year earlier, they won the first ever Christy Ring final in last gasp fashion at Croke Park and they fed off that positive energy. In a blood and guts battle, they prevailed by 0-13 to 0-11.

 

It set up a glamour home tie with Kilkenny and a fourteen point defeat (1-23 to 1-9) was no disgrace. The men in maroon went on to play six championship games that summer (including a qualifier against Waterford). As the experienced players gradually drifted away, Westmeath returned to the second tier. They resurfaced however in 2011.

They have proven no pushover for the elite teams since their return and make life awkward in Mullingar. They have achieved victories over Carlow and Antrim along with a couple of defiant displays to trouble the Tribesmen. They lost out by nine in 2011 (4-17 to 2-14) and put 4-12 past them last year in an open contest.

Teenager Niall O'Brien is a rising star for the Lake county and already has a prolific senior season under his belt. He scored 2-20 in the 2012 championship including 2-7 during the respectable showing against Galway. Brendan Murtagh is a real powerhouse in the half forward line and John Shaw is another seasoned campaigner up front.

Putting all these things into consideration, Waterford will need to bide their time and respect their opponents before contemplating a runaway win. They cannot afford to let their concentration slip even slightly. An unconvincing win would see the good vibes of last Saturday seep away somewhat. Waterford must take the initiative from the off and maintain a high tempo throughout. The longer this game progresses without decisive action, the home side will become comfortable and feed off the uncertainty from the favourites.

One of the best ways to slay the underdog is to billow the net early and often. Four goals in seven competitive outings this term lays bare the much publicised struggles in this area. Waterford are not hurting the opposition close to goals and an uneasiness prevails when the gaps do appear. Westmeath won't roll over but this game does offer the chance for newer members of the attack to get in on the goalscoring act. The bright lights shone on Maurice Shanahan last weekend and under tightened security this time, he won't receive the same freedom. With that in mind, a clinical and cohesive attacking show is important to banish the high wide counts of previous games.

Even though they can cater for Jamie Nagle's absence and rejig the resources available, his sharp deliveries will be missed. His intelligent use of possession can unlock a stubborn defence and let the forwards loose. Where there is misfortune, there is also opportunity and Richie Foley returns for his first championship start last year's Munster semi final against Clare. The recalled Pauric Mahony will also be eager to regain permanency. Games like these also help those scratching for form.

Despite Westmeath's habit of punching above their weight, eight league places seperate these sides between 1A and 2A. The gulf in speed, stamina and skill should become apparent by the final quarter at the very latest. With a number of bits and pieces to brush up on, complacency shouldn't come into the equation. The winning margin may settle around nine or ten points.

All Ireland Hurling Phase 1 Qualifier
Westmeath v Waterford
5.00 at Cusack Park
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)
Betting: Westmeath 1/12 Draw 33/1 Waterford 1/50

Westmeath: P Collins; L Varley, T Gallagher, P Fennell; D Fennell, A McGrath, A Price; E Price, J Clarke; B Murtagh, A Craig, D McNicholas; N O’Brien, R Greville, J Shaw.

Waterford: S O'Keeffe; S Fives, L Lawlor, N Connors; D Fives, M Walsh, P Prendergast; R Foley, K Moran; M Shanahan, P Mahony, S O'Sullivan; J Dillon, S Prendergast, B O'Sullivan.