Former boss Justin McCarthy laments defensive Waterford approach

Former Waterford hurling manager Justin McCarthy is unhappy with the defensive approach employed by Derek McGrath, lamenting the lack of flair and imagination in the Déise play this spring.

McCarthy is far from taken by Waterford’s packed defence, crowded midfield and sparsely populated attack; the county’s supposed period of transition, heralded by sweeping changes in panel personnel and numerous retirements during the off-season, has been revived by promotion to the league’s top tier and a first final appearance since 2007.

Ahead of Sunday’s decider, McCarthy has accused management of abandoning the county’s traditional style of “open, free-flowing hurling”.