Derek McGrath: Defeat ‘reinforces’ faith in Waterford system

Waterford manager Derek McGrath believes that the heavy defeat in yesterday’s final is evidence of how the Déise should stick with the defensive system which has been a key factor in their progress over the last two years.

The concession of nine goals in two leagues against Clare and Kilkenny in 2014 informed the decision to assemble a format which guarded against such high concession-rates. While Tipp plundered five goals yesterday, McGrath stated that this was largely down to Waterford adopting a conventional set-up, but Tipp drawing players back didn’t make the change apparent.

The loss certainly doesn’t shake his faith in the system.