Waterford building a winning mentality

It was Derek McGrath himself who conceded that the next Waterford manager may be the one who ultimately wins big with the present players.

Fri, 05 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

Paul Keane

McGrath made the admission last October after releasing a clutch of household names to make way for fresh talent.

“The reality is that the next manager could be the guy who capitalises on all of this,” said McGrath, hinting at a medium-term transition period.

Last month’s Allianz league title success has made something of a liar of McGrath and they are rightfully eyeing Sunday’s championship opener with confidence and intent.

Experienced defender Noel Connors argues that the team isn’t ahead of schedule in any way.

“If you look at the players that are starting, even the ones coming on, many of them have already won things. The likes of Stephen O’Keeffe, he has two colleges All-Irelands, Barry Coughlan is the same, two colleges. Tadhg Burke has a college All-Ireland. If you go the whole way up through the squad, there’s medals spread throughout. I wouldn’t think we’re ahead of schedule in any sense, really.”

If that sounds like fighting talk ahead of Sunday’s championship showdown with Cork, Connors was quick to temper his remarks. “There probably is some sense of expectation but I think there is a realisation there too among supporters,” he said. “Like, you have the optimism, that we are quite young. But that was the league and the championship is a totally different animal.

“There is probably some bit of a movement towards Waterford hurling again and certainly a level of optimism. But not to the extent where things are getting out of hand.”

Losing Pauric Mahony since the league final to a leg break has been a big blow. Maurice Shanahan — who may have replaced him on the frees — looks set to miss out also with knee trouble.

“He’s 50-50 but, look, 50-50 coming up to the week of a championship match, I don’t think you can go out like that,” said Connors. “If you’re even 99% I don’t think you can go out and play championship. It’s a hostile environment and you’re trying to get it over the line, if you’re not 100% mentally focused and mentally and physically prepared, you might as well sit in the dressing room, really.”