Shanahan urges Déise to follow Mayo’s Croke Park blueprint

THERE is an obvious lesson for Waterford hurling in last weekend’s football action.

Mayo’s footballers overturned 5/1 odds to put favourites Cork out of the championship and, according to Dan Shanahan, that’s the mindset his former teammates need to follow this weekend.

“Waterford had the perfect example to follow last week when Mayo beat Cork,” he said.

“Watching that game you couldn’t but be impressed by the workrate of the Mayo players, it was incredible. They were taking on some Cork players who looked like they were twice as big but they didn’t hold back and they won all the key battles, particularly around the middle of the field. Mayo were 5/1 against but what an effort they put in, and it was well rewarded.

“That’s what Waterford should be looking at, not to give a damn who they’re marking, to go out and have a cut. Waterford are 7/1 in the bookies, unbelievable odds in a two-horse race. They’ve got a bit of form from the Galway game and they’ve got to play with that kind of abandon.

“I hope they don’t get too bogged down in tactics — let them go man for man and win their battles. Waterford have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde this year but if they can learn that lesson from Mayo they’ll have a chance.”

One of Shanahan’s old colleagues in arms, Peter Queally, has a slightly different take on the Mayo lesson, one that reveals his background as an intercounty selector.

He said: “I don’t know if the Mayo result would be raised within the team but it’s something that would definitely be in the back of lads’ minds for the last few days.

“The way Mayo upset the odds was something that players would take encouragement from but being so much an outsider to begin with, as Waterford are according to the bookies, is something that psychologically could be damaging if you dwell on it. It’s also something you could treat as a positive and that’s the way management will probably view it all this week.”

There are other challenges for Davy Fitzgerald and his selectors. Compared to previous years, Waterford have a raft of inexperienced players lining out in their first senior game in Croke Park, though Shanahan backs the older players to help them through.

“There’ll be a few youngsters but there are good experienced players to help them through it — take Seamus Prendergast, Eoin Kelly and John Mullane. You couldn’t get better than ‘Brick’ Walsh to help a young lad along.

“The experienced lads will be under a bit of pressure in that they’ll be expected to produce but the young lads won’t be under any pressure. They’ll be able to hurl away. They’ve the perfect example anyway next to them, Tony Browne. If they can match his effort they’ll be all right.”

In general, Queally is looking on the bright side when it comes to the atmosphere in the south-east.

“It’s a huge advantage to Waterford, coming in under the radar this weekend. They scraped over Limerick in a game that wouldn’t have given them huge confidence ahead of the Munster final, while they’re coming in now after a good win and the shackles are off.

“They’ve probably got a lot right now in terms of team selection. That’s the kind of positivity that can spread throughout the team, and it’s not just confined to the team. Since they beat Galway there’s been nothing but positive vibes in the county towards them, and that’s got to help.”

Queally says a good start from the Déise could set up a great afternoon.

He said: “They’ll know in their minds that if they have a chance still at half time, they’ll give it a right good rattle.”