Power, pace make Déise unstoppable

THE MUNSTER Final’s pivotal moment came on the hour mark.

For the first time in the game Waterford had three men free, all on the right flank. James Murray had time to clear a ball — and he had the option of hitting it to two other team-mates.

Limerick had given everything, as had Waterford, but the men in green had begun to flag physically, and the pressure that had been exerted on all the Waterford players throughout the field relaxed a little.

Much of Waterford’s good play depends on fielding the ball from puck-outs. As the play opened up, they made a succession of catches that opened the gates and provided the crisp incisive passes for big Dan Shanahan’s goals.

How significant it was, by the way, that the game-breakers were Michael “Brick” Walsh and Seamus Prendergast. They are almost robotic in their attitude from start to finish. You rarely see them questioning decisions — their focus is entirely on the next ball at all times. Both are good in the air and strong when the going gets rough, real gladiators and a manager’s dream.

Limerick’s task, which they had stuck to rigidly and with great commitment, was to deny Waterford aerial dominance and to keep things tight, so Waterford’s strike runners coming from deep could not get on the ball.

But that all changed as Waterford captain Brick Walsh and then Seamus Prendergast, in quick succession, fielded puck-outs to set up the critical goals that finally released the Waterford attack from the shackles which Limerick had thrown on them — until that crucial last 10 minutes.

When Waterford look back on this game the name Dan Shanahan will be on all lips. He took his goals and points in style, the same style that Waterford had in the 50s with Philly Grimes and Frankie Walsh.

Limerick also had their big man, Brian Begley. He won his battle with Declan Prendergast, but in areas too far left and right of the goal. When Limerick had good possession they failed to bring him into the play at the edge of the square, where he could have released his runners. It always surprises me, when a team have a player like Begley, that they proceed to play the ball into the corners.

The game was so tight, with every ball vigorously contested and forwards legitimately wrapped up, that only the skilful could survive. Waterford put the ball in front of the runners, whereas Limerick just couldn’t transfer the ball as quickly in the danger areas. In the first minute Barry Foley was straight through on goal but failed to pick the ball. The killer forward will concentrate always on the pick-up and let everything else take care of itself.

It was a privilege to witness such heart and commitment from amateurs, but when Waterford managed to replicate their power plays as they did against Cork, they’re unstoppable. They toughed it out when they had to, employing a blanket defence near the finish, and they’ve now moved a step closer to their All-Ireland dream.

Meanwhile Galway were preparing for over eight months for their crucial qualifier, which turned out to be against Clare on Saturday night. What did they learn in that game, or more to the point — what were they taught?

Early on in the All-Ireland final of 2005 against Cork, one of Galway’s top forwards, Damian Hayes, raced down the wing, being shadowed by the equally-quick Brian Murphy. As the angle narrowed, he shot for a score from the sideline at full pace. The umpire’s job was easy.

Last Saturday I saw countless examples of poor shot selection from experienced players. Championship hurling is all about playing the percentages, and shooting for scores when you’re off balance or being coursed away from goal by good defending is comparable to a defender hitting the ball across his own square.

There were some bad examples of this during the game, but Galway sub Kevin Broderick came onto a chance when Galway desperately needed a point and struck a ball under pressure while heading slightly to the side — with the inevitable result.

When Broderick came on against Laois, he gave a very good account of himself and his failure to win a starting place raised some eyebrows in the west.

Clare’s second goal was decisive and came from a bread-and-butter ball into the square. Failing to deal with this has cost Galway dearly in the past and obviously the organisation of the defence will have to be revisited — and quickly.

Clare have their own shot selection issues — why would you continue to shoot for long-range points when your full-forward line is profiting from the high ball?

Galway questions include: why was Eugene Cloonan told to go out from goal when he’s one of their main score-getters — and his pace is suspect? The Galway management get a score along the lines of Norway in the Eurovision on this one.