Déise still battling the odds

LIAM O LÍONÁIN does a neat line in pragmatism. The Waterford footballers face a steep incline in their opening championship challenge this Sunday and the An Rinn attacker needs scant reminding of the populist view which has Cork as overwhelming favourites.

“Look the odds are definitely stacked against us. You see how well Cork have been doing in the league and they will be hopping off the ground. We’ll be looking to give it everything we’ve got and try to match them on the pitch. You’d be hoping to put in a competitive performance and I really think that is in us.”

Waterford had lofty promotion ambitions themselves at the outset of this year’s league, yet a fruitless trip across the channel to Ruislip was the moment their hopes came unstuck.

“Promotion was definitely the aim. Especially after last year when we lost out by a goal to Tipperary in the last game of the league. We threw away a game against London which was our downfall really.

“Sligo were always going to be very strong and Antrim were gunning for promotion after missing out last year. But the displays we put in against them were positive and we were only a few points off. We’re getting more competitive.”

Their earnest hope is that they can move off the national basement level and the recent heroics of their near neighbours and erstwhile lowly companions, has generated renewed encouragement. “We can definitely take encouragement from what Tipperary have done. When the two of us were in Division 4, we’d be competing and there wasn’t much between us. You get a bit of heart from Tipperary and what they have achieved. I think it shows teams like us that you can do the same as well if you put it in.”

At intercounty level O Líonáin has grown accustomed to being the plankton in the pool of big fish, but elsewhere he’s been exposed to an elite culture. At third-level he did an Arts degree in UCC and rubbed shoulders on Sigerson Cup teams with stars like Cork’s Michael Shields and Kerry’s Donncha Walsh. Even when his postgraduate course in primary teaching in Mary Immaculate College brought him down a level to the Trench Cup, an intercounty vibe still pervaded the setup.

“We’d a great Trench Cup team with a lot of top guys coming in at the same time. You’d Limerick’s Ian Ryan, Patrick Kelly of Cork, Gary Sice from Galway, George Hannigan of Tipperary. We got a good run at it last year and beat St Pat’s in the final.

“For me, coming from Waterford and playing with UCC and Mary I has been a huge advantage. You’re playing with top guys in the winter and spring, and then during the summer you see these lads playing in All-Ireland semi-finals and finals. It gives you great encouragement having played with them.”

With his college days behind him, he’s consigned the long treks to Waterford for midweek training to the past. Before Christmas he was working in the gaelscoil in Tramore and since January he’s been based full-time teaching in Old Parish. The local posting has cut his training commute and his football performances have prospered. During the league he cut loose in the full-forward line, developing a happy knack for goal-getting and racked up 6-13 from play. At 23 and in his fifth year on the panel, he feels it’s time to step up.

“You’d see a few of the younger lads now and I’d find myself a bit older on the panel. This is my fifth year now and it’s never been as competitive on the panel. Players are more willing to play football for Waterford, willing to go training and put in the effort. It seems to be an improvement every year. Being based in Waterford does make it easier, you’re not driving back home as rushed from college. You’re more settled and have more time to go training. Hopefully those results will now show.”