Waterford playing down promotion talk

Waterford defender Noel Connors says promotion is not yet a consideration for the team despite Derek McGrath’s side sitting top of Division 1B.

Victories against Antrim in Walsh Park next Sunday and away to Wexford the following weekend should see the Déise make a swift return to the top flight after being relegated last year.

However, Limerick, who they lead on points difference, have two home games remaining against opposition out of the promotion race. What’s more, some observers believe another season in Division 1B would serve Waterford better as their young panel matures.

Connors is glad to say manager McGrath has put the idea of promotion out of the players’ heads as they focus on performances. With a quarter-final spot all but confirmed, all they are looking ahead to are games.

“Derek has nailed his colours to the mast. Promotion is not on our minds. We’re primarily rebuilding and trying to bring new fellas into the mix and it’s great to see lads from the 2013 minor team putting their shoulder to the wheel. It’s about rejuvenating everything and putting a foundation in place. “The way Derek sees it, it’s about having the right kind of ethos. He allows us to play with freedom and abandonment and tells us to enjoy the occasion. You can understand what that does to the young players. It takes the pressure off them.”

Not yet 25, Connors is one of the mainstays in the team and he acknowledges Waterford have surprised people with their unbeaten run even if they themselves feel they haven’t overachieved.

“The public perception is that we are young and naive. We are to a degree but on paper we have established players like Brick (Walsh), Shane Fives, Kevin Moran and Pauric Mahony has been there for a good few years now. People forget that too. There are a lot of lads in their second or third year now and they’re staking their claims now. Looking back on Waterford teams of the past, you had lads like (John) Mullane and Tony (Browne) who were holding positions for 10 years and more.

“When one or two of them went it felt like a landslide. We still have a good backbone there even though the public perception might be different.”