Consistent Cats to end Déise dream

PERHAPS it may be too much to expect that Davy Fitzgerald can match the achievement of Michael Bond ten years ago, when he took over the Offaly team after Babs Keating opted out following their Leinster defeat to Kilkenny, and inspired a magical triumph over them to claim the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

However, that’s not to infer it’s beyond the capabilities of a Waterford team whose fortunes he has done well to revive after a disastrous Munster championship opener against Clare.

The Decies have a wonderful opportunity to make the county’s overdue appearance in the All-Ireland final a winning one. Brian Cody recognises that and so do the more astute supporters, but in recognising what it requires to win, they will take a lot of assurance from the proven pedigree of a team contesting their fifth consecutive final, and chasing the first treble since a late Jimmy Barry-Murphy goal helped Cork to achieve it in 1978. And that was against a Kilkenny side which had Cody playing (out of position) at full-forward.