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Ryan admits tough tests lie ahead

Waterford boss Michael Ryan believes his players will find it more difficult than last year to rise for an All-Ireland quarter-final.

The Déise were whipped by 21 points in last year’s provincial decider — but just seven separated the two teams at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Ryan insists, however, that quarter-final opponents Cork or Limerick are both flying high on momentum, whereas Galway were in a different place last year when Waterford shocked them in the last six.

“I think it’s more difficult this year because when Waterford played Galway last year, and this is not taking away from the Waterford performance, Galway were not going as well as Cork or Limerick are going,” said Ryan.

“Cork have had a couple of wins, so have Limerick. They’ve a nice bit of momentum built up and they have good hurlers, serious hurlers. They’re coming in on the back of two wins, we’re coming in on the back of a disappointing defeat.

“It’s hard to lift fellas after a defeat but having said that, we’re back in training Tuesday night. We’ll work really hard, we’ll prepare as best we can and if we can dig out our best performance, there’s a good chance we’ll be in a semi-final, but we’ll have to play really well.”

Waterford redeemed some pride following last year’s annihilation at the hands of Tipperary. Ryan insisted he did not focus on Tipperary before the game, preferring to trust the ability of his players in a shoot-out with the Premier County.

“Absolutely,” he said.

“We played Clare, we didn’t mention Davy [Fitzgerald]. We played Tipperary, we didn’t mention last year. We went out to get our own game going.

“The last 10 minutes of the first half we played as we wanted to play, quick ball into the forwards. To be honest, we lost our way a little bit in the second half. That’s nobody’s fault and also, Tipperary, they’re such a good team that they’re able to work the ball up the field.

“Certainly the fact that we were playing Tipperary, there was no fear factor, we went out to relish the occasion and put up a big challenge and I think we did that.”

Meanwhile, TV man of the match Kevin Moran agreed Waterford were not preoccupied with last year’s result in the build-up to this latest meeting. Moran, who starred at wing back, said: “It’s hard to put your finger on it, what happened last year. We didn’t dwell on it.

“It’s in the back of your head, trying to contain them in the first half and we did that. We were in the match in the first half, we were there or thereabouts but we couldn’t peg them back.”

And Moran vowed Waterford will still have a massive say in the destination of the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

“We’re still confident that we can do well in the championship,” he said.

“Today wasn’t our day — we didn’t take our chances and we’re disappointed to lose a Munster final at the end of the day. We’ll just move on from here.”Home

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