Waterford’s resilience earns reward

The fans in Nowlan Park yesterday were treated to wonderful entertainment.

Both games were similar in as far as both winners came from behind and the two games went down to the wire.

When the winning supporters reflect on yesterday afternoon’s heroics, they will feel that they rode their luck to a degree, but also that it was their team’s resilience which brought them victory. The losing supporters know that when the game was there for the taking, they had good scoring chances to win the contest and may view the situation as their side losing it rather than the opposition winning.

Before Tipp-Waterford, the question exercising the minds of Deise supporters was how Waterford’s defensive system would stand up against the Tipp attack, particularly with the Premier having Seamus Callanan available at full-forward.

Doubts exist in Waterford around inexperienced full-back Barry Coughlan’s ability to curtail his marker if he is faced with a one-on-one battle when Waterford have to chase the game.

The Deise were behind for long periods yesterday but apart from the two early goals they coped well with the Tipp attack. Tadhg de Burca played next to full back Coughlan with ‘midfielder’ Jamie Barron sitting in the centre half back position.

Kevin Moran and Pauric Mahony covered back quickly into midfield as did speedy corner forward Colin Dunford. At times in the first half, only Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Maurice Shanahan operated as conventional forwards.

Waterford work hard at support play and retaining possession. In the first half, their hard running at the opposition created chances from frees, with Pauric Mahony making eight valuable contributions from placed balls.

Working on improved defensive discipline will be high on the list of Tipp manager Eamon O’Shea as he prepares for the championship in the weeks ahead. With only a three-point gap at half time — thanks in large part to Tipp’s strong opening — the Deise players would have had lots of confidence as they left their dressing room to play with the wind.

Tight games turn on small things. Ultimately this game turned on two plays. Waterford’s system allows the opposition some freedom in the middle third. Once they lose possession, the focus of their retreating forwards is their half-back line.

Tipp had plenty of possession around the middle in the second half but moved the ball sideways a lot. In one such movement, 15 minutes into the second period, substitute Shane Bourke received a pass near the centre-forward position. He needed to make a sharp decision but delayed and was dispossessed, with Jamie Barron finding Colin Dunford whose run and strong shot raised a crucial green flag for Waterford, putting them ahead.

Darren Gleeson was slightly unsighted but collectively the Tipp defence will be disappointed with the concession of this score. The second play that won this game for Waterford came in the closing minutes with the game tied. Tipp substitute James Barry gave an excellent back-pass to his keeper. John Meagher was the most opportune outlet for Darren Gleeson as he was unmarked 40m from goal. But Gleeson elected to try for James Woodlock further out the field and Kevin Moran easily intercepted, drove forward, and Waterford won a free to steal the game.

Waterford won because they were totally committed and believe in themselves and their system, which is difficult to break down. There is no substitute for workrate and their players had this in abundance. Maurice Shanahan was very effective up front and led the attack brilliantly in the second half, scoring two excellent points at vital stages as well as winning the final free.

Captain Kevin Moran wears the number 10 jersey but this bears no relation to his role as he constantly pops up wherever his team are under pressure and leads by example from start to finish.

Manager Derek McGrath is entitled to be pleased after yesterday. He has devised a system that allows them play to their strengths, making it difficult for the opposition. The final with Cork will be intriguing, especially as they meet again in championship in early June.

What of Tipp? They were without three certain starters for the championship as well as Noel McGrath. Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery. Eamon O’Shea has a few areas to sort out before the summer; chief among these is the positioning of his captain Brendan Maher. He doesn’t look at home at centre forward and was far more comfortable when moved out to midfield yesterday.

Finally, regarding the last-ditch uncertainty over Tipp’s late sideline, which many felt should have been a ‘65. Barry Kelly was correct in his call, rightly adjudicating the ball had struck the end-line flag.