Tony Browne: Waterford playing catch-up at U21 grade

Waterford hurling legend Tony Browne insists the Déise are playing catch-up at U21 level as a result of their inability to successfully bring players through from the minor grade.

Although seven members of this year’s U21 squad featured heavily in the plans of senior boss Derek McGrath, Waterford failed to progress beyond the Munster semi-final stage.

Indeed, their opening round victory away to Cork was the county’s first at this level since 2009.

Browne, who served as U21 selector this year, believes Waterford are three-years behind leading counties in terms of achieving U21 silverware and called for greater investment from the County Board in a hard-hitting column in the Waterford News and Star.

“The U21 grade is one I am very passionate about as I was lucky enough to win two Munster medals and one All-Ireland at this level.

“Although I was still developing as a hurler, I gave the grade everything I had. Why? It was my age-group, my time, our team. My underage hurling took priority and I reaped the rewards for that.

“This grade has unfortunately become lost in Waterford over the last number of years as the stats would show,” wrote the three-time All Star.

Browne stressed that Waterford must take their lead from the underage work ongoing in Clare and Limerick, advocating a three-year plan to arrest the county’s U21 problems.

“It was no surprise Clare and Limerick made their way through to the Munster final.

“Here are two counties who have invested heavily in this grade. Waterford need to be very cautious and more pro-active than ever at underage and in particular with the transition between minor and U21.

“It is my opinion that we are at least three-years behind top teams achieving at this level at present.

“What I mean by that is we are slightly playing catch-up. We need to invest and invest fast by way of introducing U19/20 development squads.

“Most of our success at minor was due to the hard work of development squads at U14-16, but we stop that after minor. My belief is that Waterford need to implement a system for players who are not quite ready for the step up to the senior squad yet and introduce a structure to enable players to continually develop at a high level for when they come up the age of U21.”

Browne continued: “The perception in Waterford at the moment is that we have the best underage talent around.

“We have huge talent but it is something that everyone needs to be careful about, supporters and players. Perception can be a dangerous thing.

“Like the Waterford senior team, the transition between minor and U21 will take time but Waterford need to start now in order to be successful. It will require stability, hard work, communication and guidance.

“I would suggest that Waterford need to put a structured plan in place for the next three years in order to stay in the hunt at this grade. Expectation can only be met by way of structure and development that is based around the future.”