Fitzgerald: We can't be intimidated by 'awesome' Kilkenny

Davy Fitzgerald has praised the achievements and high standards of the Kilkenny hurlers in advance of his Waterford side's clash with the Cats on September 7.

Kilkenny, Leinster champions for the 10th time in 11 seasons, are hoping to retain the Liam McCarthy Cup next month and complete a three in-a-row of All-Ireland titles for the first time since 1913.

But Fitzgerald, who has steered Waterford to four straight wins since taking over from Justin McCarthy, wants to make some history of his own on final day.

"I would have tremendous respect for Kilkenny. I know the team they are, I know the manager they have, and they're awesome," the former Clare goalkeeper admitted.

"But on any given day, for 70 minutes, you don't know what will happen."

Fitzgerald has no problem with his charges being labelled as underdogs as they begin preparations for the county's first All-Ireland senior final appearance since 1963.

"Anyone that watched Kilkenny last week will give no one in the country a chance. They brushed Cork aside and Cork were an experienced outfit.

"Now we have two choices. We can go up and enjoy the day and give ourselves no chance. Or we can get down to work again (this week) and let's go up and tear into it and see what happens.

"These guys will be big-time underdogs. But we have been that all year. These players have taken a lot of stick. They are still there."

The Waterford panel will be back training tonight and with no fresh injury worries, it is full steam ahead for the Croke Park showdown.

Key defender Ken McGrath is sure that no stone will be left unturned in terms of preparation, as Fitzgerald has been like that right from the off.

"Davy came in the first day with unbelievable passion and enthusiasm. He played like that as well. It is a pure professional set-up and the attention to detail is top notch," McGrath explained.

"He is a double All-Ireland medal winner and we knew he had it in him.

"We are back in the final now. If you said that to me last year, I would have laughed. We are not panicking and that is a good sign of a team.

"We were happy enough at half-time (against Tipperary). We were always calm on the field. Davy was calm on the sideline...don't know if he looked calm, but he was! He made the right decisions."