Waterford keep faith in starting 15 for Kerry game

THE Waterford selectors have placed their trust in the same starting 15 that shocked Clare in the opening round for Sunday’s Munster SFC semi-final against All-Ireland champions Kerry in Dungarvan.

Manager John Kiely and his selectorial colleagues however make four positional changes for the visit of the Kingdom.

Gary Hurney moves from centre forward to midfield to partner Mick Ahearne, while his brother John, who started the Clare game in the middle of the field, now moves to right half forward.

That berth was filled by team captain Brian Wall against the Banner, but the Nire man now finds himself on the fringe of the square.

Wall’s positioning at number fourteen releases Andy Hubbard to take over the centre forward role from Gary Hurney in what is an otherwise unchanged attacking formation.

The defence remains unchanged with goalkeeper Tom Wall fronted by Justin Walsh, Thomas O’Gorman and Shane Briggs.

“It’s an injury-free camp, a happy camp, and we really are looking forward to the visit of the All-Ireland champions,” manager Kiely said. “We know it’s the classic David and Goliath confrontation, but we showed what we are capable of against Kerry in Killarney last year and we will give this one our very best shot”.

Kerry won’t need reminding of how the world of gaelic football was shocked half a century ago when Waterford sensationally beat the then reigning All-Ireland champions in a first round Munster championship game at Walsh Park.

“I suppose it’s too much, realistically, to expect lightening to strike twice,” Waterford secretary Seamus Grant commented.

“However, the greatest leveller of them all is the championship and our fellows will be well up for it,” he added.

WATERFORD (SF v Kerry); T. Wall (Bonmahon); J. Walsh (Nire). T. O’Gorman (do). S, Briggs (Ballinacourty); J. Phelan (do). E. Rockett (Portlaw). P. Ogle (Tramore); M. Ahearne (Kill). G. Hurney (Ballinacourty); J. Hurney (do). A. Hubbard (Newtown). G. Power (Stradbally); W. Hennessy (Ardmore). B. Wall (Nire) capt. L. O’Lionain (Ring).