Discipline saga not a distraction for Déise

WATERFORD boss Justin McCarthy said the Cork hurlers’ long-running discipline saga wasn’t a distraction for his side ahead of Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final.

“To be honest, that wasn’t in our thoughts,” said McCarthy. “Cork are Cork and they have a supply of players coming through, one as good as the other, when it comes down to it. Our job was to focus on our game, to get our game plan in order and to play to the best of our ability.

“We knew it was going to be hard. Cork are a great team too, don’t forget. They’re Munster champions. They were going to be playing for pride, just as we were and we knew it was going to go right to the end. We were probably short a little bit of match practice.”

McCarthy was particularly pleased with veteran Paul Flynn’s contribution: “Yes, it was nice to see him back again, especially with that crucial goal.”

That Flynn goal from a free helped Waterford to a five-point half-time lead; at the break McCarthy concentrated on maintaining his players’ focus.

“The main thing was that I knew Cork would have a time when they’d come back into the game. Our plan was not to panic, to stay cool and to keep working on.”

Though Waterford came out on top, McCarthy’s fellow selector Nicky Cashin said that the Déise will have to improve for the Munster final, particularly in defence.

“Absolutely, that wouldn’t be good enough the next day, whoever that game is against. We were very slack. We didn’t play well — we put on five subs.

“We’re just happy that we came out on the right side of it — certainly there’s loads and loads of room for improvement, no question about that.”

Cashin also admitted that there was some sympathy in the Waterford camp for the suspended Cork players, even if the uncertainty over the Leesiders’ line-up had disturbed the winners’ preparations.

“It was difficult to focus. No matter what anybody says, you need to be able to focus on the opposition — who’s playing and who isn’t playing — and I think probably there was some sympathy with Cork today. We thought they should be playing as well. It’s very difficult to plan when you don’t know who you’re playing against.

Waterford will review film of the game later this week. As Cashin pointed out, it’s hard to take in all the variables during a game like Sunday’s.

“That’s the same for a game involving any of the top-class teams — Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford, whoever. With the speed of hurling, the speed of the new ball, the skill level of players, their fitness — you just can’t take your eyes off it, but even the spectators can’t take it all in! You have to sit down and analyse the game in the cold light of day afterwards.”

Cashin said Waterford had given no thought to their Munster final opponents.

“No, no, we haven’t even thought of it, all our focus was on today. To be honest, that was the case even during the league, while the league is the league, the first round championship game against Cork was our focus ever since the championship draw was made back before Christmas, and thanks be to God we came out on the right side of it.”