Waterford must show confidence and ‘trust own ability’, says McGrath
McGrath insists there should be no playing down of expectations surrounding the team despite the heavy Munster semi-final replay defeat by Cork and the rapid progress of Laois under Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett.
Waterford boss Derek McGrath has described the fixture as a 50-50 tie, arguing that Laois present formidable opposition after running Galway to just two points in the Leinster quarter final at the start of the month.
But Ken reflected: “You’d have to be confident enough playing Laois.
“It’s about time that we started being confident in ourselves instead of playing up other teams. That’s my take. Derek is in the scene and he’s the manager, that’s fair enough.
“But we have to be more confident and trust our own ability. We should be happy playing Laois but they will be happy playing us.
“They’ll see us as vulnerable after the last game [Cork] but if we have any aspirations to go far, we should be taking Laois.
“You have to look at what you have and without wishing to put any pressure on the Waterford team, they have to stand up on Saturday.
“We’re playing Laois at home, no disrespect to them and they are a coming team and have improved wicked but we have to be confident.
“If Tipp were playing Laois in Thurles, they’d be confident. Our minors are after winning through to a fifth Munster final in six years and that’s no mean feat. Things are going well and it’s about time we started believing in ourselves again.”
McGrath, 36, is gearing up for a massive weekend of hurling as a benefit match will be held at Walsh Park this evening (7.30pm) to raise funds for his ongoing treatment following open heart surgery.
McGrath will begin a rehabilitation programme at Ardkeen hospital, commencing on July 7, and he revealed: “I can feel stronger every day.
“The good weather helps – I can get about and go for a walk and a swim.
“I’d swim an awful lot during the summer.”
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