Hurling snobbery raises its head after Waterford's defensive disaster

My, aren’t we a pious lot? Brian Gavin hadn’t brought proceedings to an end on Sunday when the “hurling correct brigade” were populating social media announcing Waterford’s defeat as a victory for the game.

Never mind that Derek McGrath’s team have been one of the most free-scoring teams these last 17 months – all it would take was one bad defeat for Waterford for them to be filleted. Never mind that Clare’s sweeper system has also seen them make the final six, Cork and Limerick’s repeated inability to equip themselves with the tactic was further reason to call the end for the stacked defence.

The bad news for those who believe hurling should be played one way is that Waterford aren’t going to change their ways anytime soon. McGrath made that clear following the game, pointing out that Tipperary did so much of their damage in the second half when Waterford had chosen to go man for man. Come Sunday week, either Tadhg de Burca or Darragh Fives will be minding the “D” in Thurles and they won’t be budging.