Let’s focus on the positives for a start. In nine championship games Waterford hold an unbeaten record against Galway. One quarter final defeat in six since 1998 also gives cause for optimism in normal circumstances.
The conditions for this clash are far from normal however. A seven goal Munster final defeat brought heavy handed criticism of the management only matched by the reaction to the All Ireland embarrassment three years ago. Waterford supporters accustomed to suffering took this one hard. It took all winter to swallow the 2008 massacre so two weeks to recover from this latest setback seems a steep challenge.
They now meet a Galway team in confident mood. The Tribesmen have emerged with two qualifier wins over Clare and Cork by a winning margin of 30 points in total. John McIntyre’s side already experienced their bump in the road against Dublin and appear determined to advance beyond the quarter final stage for the first time since 2005. Davy Fitzgerald also disregarded this unique 100 per cent record in his comments after the Tipperary game. “I don’t think that will matter to them too much. I wouldn’t say they are f****n shaking in their boots. That’s probably a stupid stat to be honest about it. Galway are on fire we are not on fire.” Plotting a victory with a team that found its morale crushed makes this game a defining one in Davy’s tenure.
In terms of team selection no easy answers can be found for the questions here. Is it possible to retain faith in the majority of the team that underperformed against Tipp? Will a total overhaul provide further instability? How can the defensive cracks be papered over sufficiently in the space of a fortnight? In championship 2011 Fitzgerald has based his selections largely on training performance but has failed to recognise the value of big match experience. The treatment of the two Prendergasts is a case in point with neither of them introduced in the Munster final. Such is the topsy turvy nature of Waterford’s season both could now be recalled for Sunday’s quarter final. The ball winning capabilities of Seamus are desperately needed at number 11, a position short on creditable candidates. Shane O’Sullivan evidently feels uncomfortable in it judging by his Munster displays. In Declan’s case injury curtailed his league involvement but on the basis of last year’s form many find it surprising that he has received no game time to date.
Stephen Molumphy and Clinton Hennessy, two certainties for so long, must be under pressure to retain their spots for this clash. Both have played every championship game under Fitzgerald’s watch but both have suffered a dip in form. The claims of Adrian Power can only go unnoticed for so long and after conceding 13 goals in his last three championship games Hennessy’s lack of shot stopping ability again comes into sharp focus. A midfield combination of Richie Foley or Kevin Moran alongside Shane O’Sullivan could also mean the exclusion of the captain for this encounter. Molumphy appeared to return to his best against Limerick but looked out of his depth against the Tipperary duo of Shane McGrath and Gearoid Ryan. Will Davy be prepared to make this big call?
In defence Liam Lawlor now must be considered as the only viable option for full back with Brick Walsh restored to centre back. With Maurice Shanahan doubtful with hamstring trouble the opportunity arises to start Eoin Kelly. While Kelly remains scoreless in league or championship an early point could inject a much needed spark into the forward line. It also gives the Galway defence another threat to deal with besides John Mullane and an element of unpredictability. Raising a couple of green flags and breaking the twenty point barrier is a must in this company, two things the attack failed to achieve against Tipperary.
Some clues for an unlikely victory also came in the league match at Walsh Park three months ago. Shane Walsh gave Shane Kavanagh a torrid afternoon scoring 1-4 resulting in Kavanagh’s substitution on 44 minutes. Despite Joe Canning and Damien Hayes combining well they limited Galway to 1-16. When it came to the crunch the visitors wilted and Pauric Mahony converted a pressure free in the dying minutes. Another close encounter on Sunday remains Davy’s best bet for a repeat outcome and a tenth championship victory out of ten against Galway.
The Westerners however sent out a signal with their comfortable win over Cork after some early difficulties. Their attack bristles with danger from every angle. Joe Canning with 2-25 so far and Damien Hayes with 2-10 remain their biggest threats but five other players have struck the net so far in this year’s championship. Returning All Star Ger Farragher has also made the centre forward berth his own. That’s three Galway All Stars firing on all cylinders against an edgy back line. The half back line of Barry, Regan and Cullinane along with the midfield pairing of Burke and Smyth also shone brightly against the Rebels.
That is not to say that question marks don’t remain over this maroon and white side. Since the Dublin game their mettle hasn’t been tested sufficiently. Until they survive a close shave against a top county their All Ireland credentials can’t be taken seriously.
Defensively they can be opened up in the full back line as Clare showed in patches and as Cork exposed with an early blitz last time out. John McIntyre, in his third year at the helm, also feels the heat of losing the last two quarter finals by a single point. Advancing his charges to the next stage is a must to sustain progress and quieten the critics inside and outside the county.
Doubts can be cast over both teams ahead of this one but the major ones linger over Waterford. How well are Waterford primed mentally? The experienced core of the team will demand that they at the very least do themselves justice on this occasion. Neither the win over Limerick or meek surrender to Tipp reflected their true potential. They need to keep the margins tight however and while a performance may arrive Galway possess the forward power to experience a degree of comfort by the closing stages of this one and record a four point victory.
Blue and White GAA Starting Fifteen: Adrian Power, Darragh Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors, Tony Browne, Michael Walsh, Kevin Moran, Richie Foley, Shane O’Sullivan, Eoin Kelly, Seamus Prendergast, Pauric Mahony, John Mullane, Shane Walsh, Brian O’Sullivan.
All Ireland Quarter Final
Waterford v Galway
Throw in 4.00 at Semple Stadium
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
Betting:
Galway 4/11 Draw 10/1 Waterford 5/2
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