Derek McGrath expresses fears over ‘dog eat dog’ schedule

Waterford yesterday extended their unbeaten league run to nine games under Derek McGrath but their manager has a major difficulty with the cut-throat structure of the competition.

“I think, looking at last night, looking at Tipp and Dublin, Wexford, and Limerick, it’s dog eat dog each week and I don’t actually agree with it. It sounds contradictory to say it but it’s almost too serious. That’s my feeling on it.

“We are in the same situation this week, quarter-finals of the Fitzgibbon. It looks like you are reaching for excuses. I think if you had 12 teams, divided into two sixes, it would give you more of an opportunity. I think we didn’t use a sub until 63 or 64 minutes.

“Contrasting with that, some of the (Division 1B) games last year we were able to bring fellas in and blood fellas but I don’t think it allows for that now. You are almost selfishly being led instead by whether you are relegated or promoted. I think that’s not an ideal scenario because it brings pressure and doesn’t allow the team to play maybe as well as it should.”

Having faced a relegation play-off last year, Brian Cody would appreciate the sentiment behind McGrath’s comments. He warned Kilkenny’s lack of training may also be apparent against Tipperary in Nowlan Park next Sunday.

“Match fitness is massive. We mightn’t see a huge difference next week maybe but, again, we’ll be striving for that.

“The pitch next Sunday will be in reasonable condition. I’m not complaining about the pitch, the (Walsh Park) pitch was heavy, that’s as it is, but, again, look, we’ll wait and see what happens. Tipperary have two points under their belt and it’s going to be difficult, I know.

“Of course, yeah, we’d love to win the league. We can’t do that if we’re dragged into a dogfight in relegation. The battle is on now and every game coming up now is going to be seriously difficult. There’s been a lot of rain and pitches are heavy and all the rest of it but, look, that’s it. It’s February and we’ll keep going.”

Leading by two points at half-time yesterday, McGrath was keen for his players not to get ahead of themselves.

“I think at half-time in the All-Ireland semi-final, we had almost come in and we kind of applauded ourselves for how we were going and during the game, almost in disbelief that everything was going according to plan.

“Whereas today we were a bit harsher. We felt there were periods in the first half where we had fellas with a bit of leg as I call it (who) if they had carried the ball before they shot the options were better.

“We tried to address that but we probably had as many wides in the second half if you like.”