Despite the meek surrender from Galway no one can underestimate the scale of Waterford’s recovery to book a sixth All Ireland semi final place in a row. Their rise from the ashes couldn’t have been foreseen and in truth the margin of ten points flattered the losers.
Browsing through the weekend previews not one pundit gave Waterford a sniff of success. Their reasoning was sound given the evidence to work with. What we all forgot to factor into the equation was the edge in big match experience amongst the Waterford ranks, the reserves of steel and mental toughness instilled under Davy Fitzgerald and the fact that Galway have failed to banish their flaky nature. Until they defeat a top team in a knock out championship game they can no longer be trusted to deliver.
However, Waterford didn’t rely on Galway’s demise alone to produce this response. On and off the field lessons were absorbed from the Munster final. When the GAA analysts assembled on local radio last Saturday morning the one thing they agreed upon was that the players needed to hurl off the cuff and abandon the tactical straightjacket. Their advice was heeded. Players like Michael Walsh and Shane O’Sullivan resumed their natural positions, the return of the experienced duo Seamus Prendergast and Eoin Kelly brought an added edge to the attack while the rotation of John Mullane between centre forward and corner forward all benefited the team. Most importantly all fifteen players felt comfortable with what they were doing.
42 attempts on goal also signals a willingness to shoot on sight and a return of the attacking flair that appeared to be lost to the Justin McCarthy era. 2-23 is the highest total since the 6-18 racked up in a 2008 qualifier against Antrim. Prendergast brought an element of physicality and a puck out target that was missing from the half forward line in previous games. Despite his four misses he eventually found the range ten minutes from time. Eoin Kelly also justified his recall with his part in the opening goal, scoring a second half point and earning a number of frees. John Mullane welcomed the freedom of his roving role with Stephen Molumphy also reaping the benefits of this tactic. Mullane regained his swagger with three points and the captain regained his scoring instincts with three points from six attempts. Shane Walsh showed his intentions in the opening seconds by earning the free that eventually resulted in his early green flag. Like the league meeting in April he ran riot against Shane Kavanagh and each score came with a seal of class attached.
At the back the return of Liam Lawlor brought much needed stability despite the concession of the penalty. He stood up to both Joe Canning and Iarla Tannian with help from Darragh Fives and Noel Connors when required. They were helped by the limited supply that reached the inside forward line however. If Kevin Moran or Shane O’Sullivan didn’t catch the Galway delivery, the Brick or one of his wing men mopped it up. This monopoly on possession became crucial at the start of the second period when Waterford scored the first five points without reply to race seven clear.
Moran delivered his best championship display by catching clean possession, bursting down the middle of the Galway defence, delivering quality ball inside and landing three points into the bargain. His man of the match award is well deserved but Shane Walsh, Michael Walsh and Tony Browne didn’t come far behind. With the foundations laid in the half back line and midfield the Tribesmen wilted as early as ten minutes into the second period. They simply couldn’t find a way to gather primary possession with both midfielders replaced well before the finish. Andy Smith and David Burke came in with high expectations along with the half forward line of Gantley, Farragher and Tannian but all of them failed to come up to scratch. Only Joe Canning with 1-6 could justifiably claim he put in a decent seventy minute stint.
Let’s not get too carried away however. This quarter final didn’t produce the intensity, pace or physicality levels required for the hurdles to come. The game produced 28 wides and given the fragile nature of John McIntyre’s men Brian Cody is unlikely to be worrying unduly at this stage. Compared to the heights Kilkenny and Tipperary have scaled in their provincial campaigns Sunday’s fare ranked as pedestrian. The question for the next day is whether Waterford can raise their game that extra notch to meet Kilkenny head on.
Two scarring defeats aside Davy Fitzgerald boasts a number of records to be proud of as Waterford boss. Tipperary and Kilkenny remain the only two teams to have between his side in championship action since 2008. Waterford have only lost one championship game at Semple Stadium during his reign (2009 Munster final) and that is the sole defeat in thirteen championship games they have suffered at the venue. Sunday’s victory also makes it four semi final appearances on the trot under Davy’s watch and an undefeated record in quarter finals since 2005 remains intact as well.
Fitzgerald may be finally combining his own beliefs with a style of play that fans can appreciate. If Waterford can display that lion hearted attitude alongside a freedom to express themselves on the field of play like they did on Sunday complaints will be hard to find. The prize for victory is less than appealing but pride has been restored in difficult and unlikely circumstances.
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