Ryan appeals to Deise fans for support

WATERFORD chairman Paddy Joe Ryan last night made a strong appeal to the Deise hurling fans to renew the level of support that was so vital in last year’s historic Munster championship success.

Ryan is concerned that, up to yesterday, the demand for tickets had not been as expected.

"The news from the Munster Council is that there has been a much brisker demand in Limerick," he said.

The Waterford chairman said when they swept past Cork and Tipp on their way to Munster final glory last year, supporters had proved to be the team's "16th man".

"Every player responded to the incredible support they were given from the stands and the terraces, and I want more of the same this time round, starting with Sunday's semi-final," Ryan said.

On the game, the Waterford chairman says Limerick will take "the world of beating".

However, he is quietly confident Waterford can take another important step towards doing what no other Waterford hurling team has ever done put back-to-back Munster titles together.

"Our preparations have gone as well as we could ever have hoped for," Ryan said.

"And in Justin McCarthy, Colm Bonnar and Seamie Hannon we have a superb management team, three hurling men who did it all on the field of play and who are now collectively passing on their enormous expertise and experience to the panel."

Accepting that their league displays had been "enigmatic and indifferent", he said Sunday will be the "real thing", a contest between two hugely committed teams whose sole objective will be to play hurling as it should be played.

"I genuinely expect this one to be a classic and to go right down to the wire. In such a scenario the lucky break can often be the deciding factor, and if that is what happens on Sunday then I can only hope we will be the ones to get it."

Ryan said he has always had enormous respect for Limerick hurling and for the many people who have been at the helm down the years.

"Just like ourselves, they haven't always had the results their efforts deserved and in any other situation I would be rooting for Limerick to win major honours this year," he added.

Without breaking breath, he returned to the supporters theme, emphasising as forcibly as he can the important role they can play on Sunday.

"If we find ourselves in a situation where we are outnumbered and out-voiced, it could have the double whammy effect of lifting Limerick even more than they already will be, and at the same time letting our players feel just a little sense of disappointment," he said.

"We need the kind or reception that will fire all the players up for what is going to be one almighty test of strength, character, and ability."