Frampton confident Waterford can end league drought

SO MUCH in life is about timing; being in the right place at the right time.

Stephen Frampton was an outstanding centre back for Waterford, had an inter-county career that went from 1988 to 2002; his medal haul for those 13 years of playing with the Déise at the top?

“I think I have a National League division 2 medal somewhere, but I’m not sure. Other than that, nothing.”

In 1992 that looked like it might be about to change. Waterford won their first Munster minor hurling title, were subsequently beaten in the All-Ireland final, but had the considerable consolation of winning the U-21 (Paul Flynn played in both finals). Stephen — of course — was just too old for the U-21s, but no matter; in Waterford, things were finally on the up.

What happened next? Munster championship loss to Kerry in 1993, sending shockwaves through hurling. Not a bad Kerry team, let it be said, coached by current Wexford manager John Meyler, but still, that one hurt.

“Credit to Kerry, fair enough, they had some very good individual players, but you can make all the excuses you want; the fact of the matter is we were not well prepared, were very badly organised that year, set up for a fall.”

A few years later came Gerald McCarthy from Cork, and finally, things started to happen for Waterford. 1998 they reached the National League final, lost to Cork; 1998 they also reached the Munster championship final, lost out to reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions Clare after two hectic games. Captain for that nearly-season? Stephen Frampton.

“Waterford always had good players but there was a bit more organisation after Gerald came, better preparation. He upped the ante big-time as regards fitness, brought a more professional approach. We had always done quite well in the league but we never finished it off. In ‘98 it was more sustainable, because we were better prepared.

“Going back to the 80s and early 90s, we always had good hurlers but we were always that bit behind the others in preparation, didn’t have the clinical approach that Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny would have had. That’s probably what caught us in ’98. The All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, it was all new to us at that level, and because it was new we didn’t realise ’til too late that we could actually win. About 10 minutes to go it happened, but we just ran out of time.”

Stephen puts down the defeat to Cork in 1999 to a refereeing decision 22 minutes into the second half: “I’m useless at remembering details of games, but I remember this because I was centrally involved. I had gone to a ball, was down low, about to lift it, when Mickey O’Connell came from behind, pushed me, bowled me over. I felt it was a clear free but there was no whistle, Mickey picked up the ball, got a point. “It was a crucial score, because they had been really under the cosh; if we had got the free, then the way Paul Flynn was hitting the ball that day it would probably have been a point for us, game tied, but instead it was a point the other way, and Cork got the momentum again. Small thing, but a big decision in the overall context of the match.” Cork went on to win that game, and the All-Ireland.

Then came Justin McCarthy, to replace his namesake and fellow Corkman, but by 2002, in any event, Stephen had packed it in: “I wasn’t part of Justin’s plans, to be honest.”

Last Sunday, his alma mater, De La Salle Waterford, won the All-Ireland colleges A title, beating Kilkenny CBS in a cracking final in Croke Park. Tomorrow, Waterford play Kilkenny in the National League final.

Timely, yes, but auspicious? Stephen certainly hopes so. “There’s been a lot of work done at underage in Waterford for the last ten, 15 years; maybe we were expecting that to bear fruit too early, but I’d like to think it’s finally happening now, and a win like last Sunday can lift the whole county.”

Lift them to a first National League title since 1963?

“I suppose I’m true-blue Waterford, but every week I look at the team-sheet before a match. I’ll be with WLR (Waterford local radio) this week, doing analysis, and there’s so much quality in this team I couldn’t bet against them. The only worry I have is the age-old worry with Waterford — will the right lads turn up on the right day? Will they perform? But I’d be quietly confident that they’ll put it up to Kilkenny.

“There’s something about the lads this year; they’ve been lambasted and slated in Waterford for some of the league results — some fellas playing badly, a few fellas getting them through matches, yet here they are in the league final. There’s nothing spectacular about this year, but I just have this funny feeling about it. I know Kilkenny looked awesome in the semi-final against Wexford, and I know Brian Cody has said that they want to win every match, but I’d like to think Waterford will have an edge on them on Sunday with regard to hunger.”

If it happens, about time.