Déise’s experience could swing it

THE recent history of Limerick and Waterford in the championship suggests that anything is possible when the counties clash in Thurles tomorrow in the first of the Munster hurling semi-finals.

The Shannonsiders’ lack of experience was highlighted in their defeat in the Munster final two years ago and while they reversed the result in the All-Ireland semi-final, I would contend that Waterford would have done better against Kilkenny in the 2007 final.

There is, of course, the side issue of Justin McCarthy being involved with Limerick now and the belief (articulated by Davy Fitzgerald in one interview) that he will want to beat Waterford “more than anything”. But, as far as the Cork man is concerned, the primary motivation is to see his team overcome this hurdle, irrespective of the opposition.

Fitzgerald will have learned a lot from his year in charge in Waterford.

And, for all the good work McCarthy has done with the Limerick players, the bottom line is that Waterford present the more serious challenge.

In reality, they will fancy their chances of winning Munster.

While Fitzgerald has made a few alterations, this is largely the team built by Justin McCarthy (from the building blocks put in place by Gerald McCarthy) and it carries much more experience than Limerick’s combination, which is in transition and may not be seen to its best effort for a season or two.

Ollie Moran still has something to offer, younger brother Niall seems to be fulfilling his potential and young full-forward David Breen looks like a player for the future. They have strength at the back and a competitive midfield, but overall, they lack the scoring power of a Waterford side which needs a full-fit John Mullane to complement the efforts of Eoin Kelly and Dan Shanahan.

It will be competitive, but I expect Waterford to be winners at the end.

Verdict: Waterford