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.

What Waterford lack in experience at this level they can compensate with a fervour and enthusiasm which could very well push the champions to the limit. But as Limerick found out to their cost last year, planning for this challenge is a lot easier than going out and actually doing it.

The lesson is there for Fitzgerald and his players. They simply have to start well and not be intimidated by the occasion. Otherwise they will be playing catch-up and there are few better teams than Kilkenny at closing out a game. Nobody will make the mistake of writing off Waterford. But, clearly on the basis of their consistency, the fact that there are no questions about their defence, as there might be about the Waterford full-back line, Kilkenny deserve to be favourites.

I can envisage two scenarios. Waterford would stay with Kilkenny for the greater part of the game but fall short in going for the winning post. The alternative would be for them to ‘suffocate’ the opposition with the strength of their challenge and an overpowering desire to win.

And while the latter set of circumstances may be considered unlikely, it is by no means impossible. In Dan Shanahan, Eoin Kelly and John Mullane, they have players with a penchant for goal-scoring. It may be asking a lot of these individuals, especially considering that Shanahan has so far fallen short of his usual high standard but it’s what will be required of them and their team-mates if the dream is not to turn into a nightmare.

Waterford’s experience of semi-finals (including two against Kilkenny) will stand to them and there is a lot of character in the side. On balance, however, I expect Kilkenny to win because of their greater consistency.

Verdict: Kilkenny