Sunday’s final may be billed as the clash of the All Ireland champions versus the Munster champions but not a clash of equals. The bookies offer a Waterford win as a 4/1 shot with a handicap of +6 available at evens. These odds hardly reflect a 50-50 clash that accustoms Munster finals.
Tipperary trainer Cian O’Neill cited in a recent interview that the 2008 All Ireland semi final marked a turning point for the team under Liam Sheedy. He felt they were bullied and outmuscled in that match and from there the fire was lit for the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. While consistently reaching the top tier of the hurling rankings over the last decade Waterford find themselves a step below Tipperary and Kilkenny at the this moment in time. To illustrate the point Davy Fitzgerald’s only championship defeats have come against these two counties. Would this team have lived with the pace, savage intensity and astounding skill levels of the last two All Ireland finals? This weekend’s Munster final provides the most accurate barometer as to the health of the current crop since last year’s All Ireland semi final.
That sobering experience gives pointers to the improvements needed this time around. To put themselves into contention Waterford must prevent the Tipp attack breaking the 30 point barrier as they did against Cork and Clare while scoring seven goals in the process. This effort however cannot undermine compiling a sufficient tally of scores to win the game. Davy’s challenge is to find the right balance. Executing part one of the plan involves cutting the supply of ball inside, getting the match ups right while also maintaining total concentration throughout. Easier said than done against a star studded attack that can switch at ease, pick their passes and seldom waste scoring opportunities.
The scale of this challenge is reflected in the following stats. Tipperary have fired 17 goals in their last five championships. Lar Corbett ranks as their top championship goal scorer with 21 followed closely by Eoin Kelly on 19. The Mullinahone man also has a record of 9-43 in 7 games against Waterford while Corbett has scored 3-4 in the last two meetings. The starting six forwards on Sunday can boast 52 championship goals between them. All of them have also started in at least one All Ireland final.
This brings us to the second part of the jigsaw; the Waterford attack and whether they can conjure up a winning total. Two members of the forward line will be making a first Munster final start which displays the youthful nature of the team. Between the six forwards 20 championship goals have been scored. This reflects the advanced stage of development of Tipperary compared to Davy Fitzgerald’s side. Much hinges on Mullane as well as Shane Walsh’s goal instincts. Brian O’Sullivan, Pauric Mahony and Maurice Shanahan (in the first half) aided the scoring effort against Limerick and a similar contribution will be required on Sunday.
Last Thursday night at Walsh Park the team conducted a behind closed doors session which indicated that the management team were plotting a surprise game plan or team selection. The starting fifteen named a week later didn’t disappoint in that regard with Jerome Maher and Eoin McGrath emerging as surprise inclusions. Maher earns his place after strong training performances but making a championship debut in the heat of a Munster final poses different questions and strikes echoes of Denis Coffey’s baptism of fire against the same opposition in 2006. McGrath’s selection could be regarded as a bigger surprise given his lack of impact in the league campaign or even on the challenge circuit. Maurice Shanahan’s disappointing second half display against Limerick was obviously a factor in his exclusion.
While Jerome Maher is named at number three the speculation surrounding the positioning of Michael Walsh continues. If Walsh does move to full back, Kevin Moran is likely to start at centre back. What can be declared as fact is that his policing of Kevin Downes was his first experience in the role of a full back at this level. If the management believed the Brick could act capably in the position long term they would have experimented in the league or even the Waterford Crystal League. Mid way through the championship is no time to alter the two central planks of the defence especially when one is an All Star in the position for two years in succession. Before Thursday’s team selection Liam Lawlor looked the favoured candidate for full back with Brick Walsh retaining the defensive stability at centre back. With Lawlor omitted it now can’t be disregarded that Darragh Fives or Noel Connors could also end taking up the full back duties.
With all the doubts and mutterings surrounding Waterford’s defensive make-up let’s not forget that their opponents have also encountered difficulties in this area. Cork were left to rue early missed opportunities at Semple Stadium in the Munster first round and it cost them dear in the final reckoning that day. Conor McGrath’s display in the Munster semi final proved that speed can trouble these Tipp backs and despite their inexperience this Waterford front six do possess a turn of foot. John O’Keeffe remains in the Premier rearguard and will be seen as a possible link to be exposed with Brendan Maher remaining on the sidelines. John Mullane also unsettled Paddy Stapleton last August at corner back.
The bookies clearly disregard any chances of an upset but they give scant credit to the deep resolve within this panel and the seamless transition of players Davy has presided over. The star quality however lies in the Tipperary ranks and so many things need to turn in Waterford’s favour to deny them the spoils. The favourites to prevail by a four or five point margin.
Blue and White GAA Starting Fifteen: Adrian Power, Darragh Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors, Tony Browne, Michael Walsh, Kevin Moran, Richie Foley, Stephen Molumphy, Maurice Shanahan, Shane O’Sullivan, Pauric Mahony, John Mullane, Shane Walsh, Brian O’Sullivan.
Munster SHC Final
Waterford v Tipperary
Throw in 4.00 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Referee: Brian Gavin Offaly
Betting:
Tipperary 1/5 Draw 14/1 Waterford 4/1
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