Owens: We'll give it everything we have

Waterford manager John Owens is preparing his players for a huge effort in tomorrow evening's Allianz NFL Division 4 final against Limerick (throw-in 5pm).

The Deise men, who topped the table with six wins and two draws, secured promotion in fine style and Owens is licking his lips at the prospect of the county triumphing in their first ever competitive outing at Croke Park.

"(A league final at Croker) is wonderful, of course it is but we know how difficult a game it's going to be," he told the Waterford News & Star.

"Limerick are a very good side as they've shown over recent years in the Munster Championship and have a lot of their players now back from injury and they will be deserving favourites.

"But, despite the fact that we have what we set out to achieve (in terms of promotion), we now have a league title to play for and our lads are mature enough to know how big a deal that is and I can guarantee we'll be giving it everything we have."

Owens has named an unchanged team for the league decider, keeping faith with the side that beat Clare 0-20 to 2-5 in impressive fashion at Fraher Field.

Defenders Maurice O'Gorman, Kieran Connery and Niall Hennessy, who were all brought in for the Clare game, have retained their places in the starting line-up.

Gary Hurney, who starred against the Banner men, will be a key figure at top of the right, and Brian Wall has also put in some top drawer performances in recent weeks.

Winning the league title would be a huge boost to Tipperary native Owens and the Waterford players ahead of their Munster SFC opener against Clare on May 23.

The Deise footballers' trophy cabinet has been bare since their All-Ireland Junior success in 2004, but that could be about to change.

"I was speaking to the county treasurer, Michael Hogan, and he said he was on the last Waterford senior football team to win some silverware and that was (the McGrath Cup) in 1981 so it's high time to address that," added Owens.

"Not just for ourselves and everyone involved today but for all those who have soldiered for Waterford football in the good and bad times and for the supporters who have been loyal to the cause through very lean times.

"Also, playing at Croke Park is going to be a wonderful experience and we want to make the most it."

WATERFORD (NFL v Limerick): T Wall; M O'Gorman, T O'Gorman, K Connery; T Grey, S Briggs, N Hennessy; T Prendergast, M Ahearne; B Wall, C McGrath, W Hennessy; G Hurney, R Ahearne, L O Lionnain.