Despite carelessly relinquishing a position of authority, Sean Power spoke in upbeat terms about how his team performed immediately after Sunday's minor final. Transmitting that positive energy to the players holds the key to completing the job in game five of an edge of the seat Munster campaign on July 23.
The curtain raiser to the senior centrepiece turned in a free scoring feast with a late twist at the end to electrify the home crowd. Waterford must wonder how it turned around so rapidly. Michael Harney's goal followed by an Adam Farrell point made it 2-18 to 0-16 with ten minutes remaining. Instead of fattening the lead with points, they pursued more green flags. Those chances went awry but it didn't appear to make a massive difference at the time. That was until Ronan Lynch located a gap in the defensive wall from a 21 metre free with four minutes left. The Limerick crowd were well packed in at this stage and gave their full backing. Although Stephen Bennett nabbed a point back to leave three points between them, the green waves were crashing against the Waterford defence. Austin Gleeson made an uplifting dash down the field but the ball was cleared and impact sub Tom Morrissey went up to the other end to crash his shot to the net. They very nearly completed a remarkable fightback but Lynch flung his effort right and wide.
Entering the lion's den held no fears for the white and blue. For fifty minutes, Power could have no complaints with a polished team effort. Ten different players got on the scoresheet, including all six starting forwards. Furthermore, 2-15 of their 2-19 total came from play. The players in leading roles all turned up. After a muted opening, Patrick Curran got into the groove. In the first half, he tapped the sliotar into space and collected it for a classy point. Stephen Bennett's 1-2 included a precise finish just after half time to put the icing Curran's hard labour. The main man tying it all together was once more centre back Austin Gleeson. Three monstrous points is a big bonus from a number six and the last of those came from inside his own 65 metre line after being knocked off balance.
What was most notable was how some of the supporting cast commanded the spotlight. DJ Foran justified his selection with his ball winning presence on the wing and two point contribution. Colm Roche started at full forward and struck three points including an eye catching score from in front of the uncovered stand. At midfield, Michael Harney made four clean catches and was also on hand to flick home when Foran's miscued effort was batted away by the goalkeeper.
In terms of homework, Power and company will have a noted a couple of points. The pace of the Limerick forwards resulted in problems and the concession of frees. Ronan Lynch ended with 1-9 from placed balls and that statistic is a cause for concern. The direct running of Cian Lynch from the wing also put Tom Devine on the back foot and he lodged four points before the break. Tom Morrissey also made inroads on his introduction and he looks like a certain starter for the next day.
With the replay fixed for Thurles on July 23, it's all about getting mentally tuned for their fifth game at a fifth different venue. They showed that they have the ammunition to make this Limerick side look ordinary and collect Waterford's fifth provincial crown at the second time of asking.
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