The records tumbled like confetti from the sky in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The first time Waterford conceded seven championship goals since 1954 for a start. The heaviest Munster final defeat since 1982 and the highest score posted by a winning team since that day. The last occasion a team struck seven goals in a Munster final was 1936. An even more chilling one for Déise fans is that the 21 point beating marks the biggest since the All Ireland final defeat in 2008.
One look at the defensive formation and the script for the next seventy minutes of hurling took shape. Of the six defenders only Noel Connors could feel secure in his position as the others took up unfamiliar posts. Jerome Maher as we all know picked up Lar Corbett in the corner, Michael Walsh started his first championship game at full back with Connors in the other corner. Darragh Fives in only his second championship game moved to wing back, Kevin Moran switched to centre back, which was another first in the Waterford colours, while Tony Browne switched wings to number seven. Even before the Tipperary forwards chopped and changed that rearguard was built on shaky foundations. The man marking strategy also fell to pieces. Aside from unfairly asking Maher to shadow Corbett, John O’Brien took the Brick for three points while Eoin Kelly struck 2-3 from play against Noel Connors.The management must shoulder the burden of responsibility for these decisions.
Further out the field the midfield battle was lost from the early minutes. Shane McGrath managed to catch the first three puck outs and launch attacks that resulted in a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after just four minutes. Gearoid Ryan’s deliveries also contributed heavily to the plentiful supply inside to Corbett and company. These two set the tone for what was to follow. Richie Foley was hauled off by half time and while Stephen Molumphy toiled hard he found himself outclassed. Only when Kevin Moran moved to that sector did Waterford begin to make any inroads against the classy Premier pairing.
Eoin McGrath’s selection also backfired badly against the outstanding defender in the country right now in Padraic Maher. Apart from Pauric Mahony none of the attack hit the form they are capable of. Starved of supply John Mullane and Shane Walsh still looked to carve an opening but their efforts weren’t rewarded. Meanwhile the game seemed to largely pass Shane and Brian O’Sullivan by. The changes to spark any form of a revival also didn’t materialise. It took 50 minutes to introduce Eoin Kelly with both Prendergasts left watching on when their drive and experience was called for.
Another worrying aspect of the performance was the poor first touch and control on the Waterford side. This can be partly put down to the focus on the tactical approach to the game. They seemed so confused with how to deal with Tipperary that they forgot the basics. Mentally they are appeared drained and no one characterised that more than John Mullane. His weak effort in the first half as he advanced towards the Tipperary goal coupled with losing control of the sliotar on numerous occasions gave the impression that all was not well with Waterford’s star attacker. Another factor in Mullane’s case is the non stop season he has put in for club and county.
Some individual displays from Pauric Mahony, Tony Browne and Kevin Moran struck the only positive notes. Mahony’s flawless accuracy and a thirteen point haul make for a good day’s work any way you look at it. 38 year old Browne tried to repel the Tipperary avalanche by all means and up to the very end attempted to inspire his colleagues. Moran did likewise especially at midfield and before the four goal blitz coped reasonably at centre back. The substitutes that arrived at half time also battled gamely with Liam Lawlor and Maurice Shanahan in the reckoning for the next day.
Where to from here? The management team will remain in place but if the Galway game was further away than a fortnight’s time they would be under serious pressure to take the plunge. Even still the hurling public in the county are baying for blood and few could blame them. The instructions and tactics need to be abandoned to freshen up a demoralised team ahead of an Everest like challenge against a confidence fuelled Galway team. The scars the younger players especially will take from this brutal annihilation also mean that the mental side of things need to be taken care of as well as the hurling side. A back to basics approach may prevent another embarrassment but no quick fix can be found for the defensive chaos that resulted on Sunday. To restore pride however some freedom must be allowed to the players to display all the talents they undoubtedly possess.
Probably the saddest sight of all on Sunday was John Mullane entering the press area to speak with RTE. For a proud hurling man this defeat cut to the core of his being and no words were needed to see that in his expression. His public apology to the supporters was a mark of a man that owes nothing to Waterford hurling. Leaders like Mullane and Browne will be needed like never before to recover this sinking ship for two week’s time.
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