Ryan: It gives us shot at redemption

Waterford manager Michael Ryan paid due tribute to Clare’s battling performance in yesterday’s Munster SHC clash, calling them a “formidable” side.

Ryan saw his side hold out against a late Clare surge to ensure they qualify for a fourth Munster final in a row, a first for Waterford.

“It was a real tough Munster championship battle and I was delighted to come out on top,” said Ryan.

“There were times when the game seemed to be slipping away from us in the last six or seven minutes.

“They were on the crest of a wave and they’re a very fit, formidable side.

“I was delighted the way we battled away and worked our way up the field to get the match-winning scores when we were under real pressure.”

Ryan said the win offered Waterford a shot at redemption after the disappointment of last year’s Munster hurling final meltdown against Tipperary.

“It’s a big result for us, there’s no two ways about it. The last time we played in the Munster championship we lost by 21 points in the Munster final.

“We had a poor enough start to the league campaign, we were missing a lot of lads, but we’re getting fellas back now, we’re seeing the benefit of getting fit, we’re seeing the benefit of good training and preparation in a hurling and a fitness sense. There’s a long way to go but we’re on the road.”

The man in the opposite corner spent four years as Waterford manager, but Ryan insisted that Davy Fitzgerald was not a topic of conversation in the Deise dressing-room.

“I can honestly say we scarcely mentioned Davy in our dressing-room.

“The only things we can control are the things we do ourselves, we didn’t get caught up in anything else – and in fairness to Davy, he didn’t get involved in that (talk) either.

“We worked hard, we devised a game plan that played to our strengths and I think we were reasonably successful with that.”

That game plan was implemented by some very experienced players, some of whom were crucial for Waterford in that hectic last quarter.

“I think that was crucial, I was delighted with the blend we had coming into the game. We had four or five lads making their debut, but we had a nice blend of youth and experience.”

Ryan also paid tribute to team trainers Pat Flanagan and Jimmy Payne for their work preparing the team when asked if he feared his side would run out of steam.

“Absolutely not. I know the preparation we’ve done, the strength and conditioning work, I had no qualms about that. I knew that wouldn’t happen.”