Waterford made leap, now they must hold their nerve

Waterford dared to be different.

Management and hurlers held hands and jumped. Last weekend’s result was twofold: a 21st-century classic, plumped by the bonus of a replay. There should be a much bigger crowd in Semple Stadium tomorrow evening than travelled last Sunday afternoon to Croke Park. Is it too much to say that people fell back in love with the most beautiful game?

Those of us who could always see the raw ability in this Waterford group were frustrated. Their talent was becoming overcooked through a weighty emphasis on systems and structures at the expense of instinct and speed. That emphasis had served its purpose, establishing stability as regards performance level and thereby establishing confidence.