Ryan: Fitness is the key

Michael Ryan believes Waterford’s fitness is a big reason why they’re so optimistic heading into Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final — but that it’ll be another couple of years before the impact of trainer Pat Flanagan really kicks in.

“We went into the Munster final expecting to win, we had no interest in any moral victories, but when we back training on the Tuesday night there was a real buzz because of how well we had played and how strong we had felt towards the end of the game.

“We had 13 scoring chances in the last 15 minutes and only took two and that cost us the game. But there was no tiredness, lads felt strong, felt fit, and kept playing to the end. The important thing was that we felt there was a lot more in the team.”