You have to lead by example, says UCC award winner Tadhg de Búrca

Waterford defender Tadhg de Búrca believes playing in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League this year helped to ensure the Déise didn’t lack motivation during the spring.

Having won the league from Division 1B last year and then reaching the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals, there might have been an external expectation Waterford would struggle to repeat those heights, but they are just two games away from back-to-back league titles after Sunday’s quarter-final win over Wexford.

“You always want to win the games,” de Búrca said. “This year, we were trying to prove ourselves with the big guns, being in Division 1A, we had to be up for it, so it was just as important. You have to prove your worth again.”