This is a defining weekend in the Division 1B promotion chase. Waterford must escape from Tullamore with a win on Saturday to heap the pressure on Wexford and Limerick the following day.
Recent league results show that meetings between Waterford and Offaly are settled by small margins. The Faithful registered back to back wins in 2006 and 2007. St Brendan's Park in Birr always provided a hostile atmosphere and nine years ago, they were baying for blood. The home side led by 2-10 to 0-4 at half time and were out of sight. Joe Bergin rustled the net twice against temporary full back James Murray. Eoin Kelly’s straight red in the second half summed up a nightmare afternoon for Justin McCarthy's men.
A modern and spacious O’Connor Park doesn’t offer the same intimidating atmosphere yet the potential for an upset is still present. Limerick drew 2-15 apiece at this ground last March to ruin any possibility of playing in Division 1A. A fortnight ago, Wexford only slipped in the last ten minutes after Cillian Kiely's dismissal. This time, Brian Whelahan may be tempted to position Bergin, Shane Dooley or Daniel Currams at the edge of the square to test out the Waterford full back line. Dooley has scored 1-22 thus far. The visitors must deal with that bombardment and the physical test to come away with the desired outcome. The comments of captain Currams, after the win over Laois, suggested that the Faithful will emerge will all guns blazing this season to prove doubters inside and outside the county wrong.
Derek McGrath reminded supporters recently that Waterford needed Stephen O’Keeffe’s intervention to emerge victorious in the All Ireland qualifiers two years ago. It is no surprise that management have selected three of WIT’s Fitzgibbon side. Pauric Mahony in particular is central to their short passing game and the team lean heavily on his instructions from number eleven. The visitors must use the full width of the pitch to spread out the Offaly back line and they will aim to utilise their speed up top. The Bennetts along with the fit again Colin Dunford and Maurice Shanahan wait in reserve if required. Shanahan looked lean and ready for action when he received game time with the under 21s in midweek against De La Salle. He chalked up six points (four placed balls and two from play).
Waterford are regarded as warm 3/10 favourites to get the job done.
Last Five League Meetings
2003 at Birr
Waterford 4-18 Offaly 2-16
2006 at Birr
Offaly 3-14 Waterford 0-15
2007 at Walsh Park
Offaly 3-15 Waterford 1-19
2010 at Walsh Park
Waterford 1-19 Offaly 1-16
2011 at Tullamore
Waterford 2-19 Offaly 1-19
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