Waterford and Cork meet this Sunday for the first time in Dungarvan since the 1998 National League. Only three points separated these sides in three league and championship encounters in 2010 and with the league ambitions of both sides in the balance this Sunday’s clash could be another close one.
Cork arrive on the back of a steady campaign with wins over Offaly and Galway and a one point defeat to Kilkenny. That round two game with the Cats in difficult conditions at Nowlan Park has given the Rebels a spring in their step. They gave a rousing second half display and also seemed to settle upon their best fifteen. The Cork running game also returns with Aisake O’hAilpin now off the panel and the Michael Cussen experiment parked to the sidelines. It is a tactic the Cork players find comfort with and the win over Galway was an example with short accurate passes placed into the forward line. After the Tipperary win in last year’s championship Denis Walsh seemed to fall between two stools and the team suffered as a result. The 2010 campaign also highlighted a need to refresh the panel. Paudie O’Sullivan, Cian McCarthy and Luke O’Farrell have brought renewed energy to the forward line with William Egan, Ray Ryan and Conor O’Sullivan impressing in defence thus far. Another new weapon Walsh can call upon is Patrick Cronin’s switch to midfield, a role he fulfilled in UL’s successful Fitzgibbon Cup campaign. While Cork can be pleased with their renovations, the reliables like John Gardiner and Niall McCarthy are still putting their shoulder to the wheel. Gardiner in particular looks in the mood to lead a strong Rebel charge in 2011. All of these factors give them plenty of encouragement ahead of Sunday.
Waterford’s first real test against Tipperary last weekend was compromised by the two red cards. Davy Fitzgerald seemed pleased in the aftermath however that despite a long absentee list his team responded in a positive manner. No matter what the circumstances his charges won’t go down without a fight. The De La Salle contingent returned to training this week but look unlikely to feature at the weekend. Noel Connor remains a doubt after sustaining ankle ligament damage. The imminent suspensions to be imposed on Shane O’Sullivan and Clinton Hennessy mean two changes to the team will be made for Sunday. The big question is will Ken McGrath finally get the chance to prove himself from the start? He received six minutes against Dublin and four minutes against Tipperary so no judgement can be cast on whether the Mount Sion man is in contention for a championship spot. Adrian Power seems to be the preferred choice for the number one jersey but Stephen O’Keeffe will be pushing hard after his clean sheet in Wexford. Up front Richie Foley and Seamus Prendergast will need help with the scoring burden. Foley has notched 2-27 in three games with Prendergast chipping in with 2-3.
Davy Fitzgerald suggested after last weekend’s game in Thurles that he anticipates a few more defeats in this league campaign. He will be satisfied that competition for places is intense and that there is good spirit instilled in the team. Defeat on Sunday however rules Waterford out of league final contention and that should spur them on. The defence has thrown out doubts over their inexperience so far and if Maurice Shanahan in particular can aid the forward cause a home win is not beyond the bounds of possibility. All that said with this Cork side close to full strength, showing solid form to date and a better spread of scores amongst the forward line they should take the points here.
National Hurling League Division 1
Waterford v Cork
Throw in 2.30 at Fraher Field, Dungarvan
Referee: Barry Kelly
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