Waterford stick with system despite losing to Tipperary

Waterford won’t be changing their system any time soon despite Sunday’s Munster final defeat, maintains Noel Connors. 

While disappointing, they kept a sixth clean sheet this season and the same structure saw them go nine matches unbeaten this year.

“I’d say we would just stick to what we’re used to rather than change just because we had a defeat. A lot of people were probably putting Tipp as favourites and firm favourites and that was probably fair enough because between themselves and Kilkenny, they’ve been the benchmark for the past few years.

“I don’t think we should change. We were playing one of the best teams in the country. No doubt you want to win but you have to be a realist as well. We’re relatively young. We’re still a forming team. So we’ll take things on the chin. Build on these things and drive them forward and make them into your strengths for future years.”

Waterford’s players chose not to socialise after the Munster final. As they prepare for Dublin in Sunday week’s All-Ireland quarter-final, Connors said he never believed their unbeaten run would provide enough momentum to go through the season undefeated.

“At this end of the championship, you are coming up against the best teams in the country and you’d be foolish to think that you weren’t going to taste defeat at some stage. I suppose you are kind of fortunate enough that we have another bite at the cherry, unfortunate that there was a title on the line.

“So it’s get up on the high horse again and try and drive on, and there’s plenty of stuff left in the lads, plenty of desire and passion and fuel. Everybody wants to go on and be successful.”