Ken McGrath optimistic Waterford will rebound from Clare defeat

All-Star Jamie Barron and 2020 nominee Conor Prunty both missed the tie with quad injuries though should be fit for the qualifiers

Ken McGrath at the launch of the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Legends Tour Series for 2021. The tours start online on Wednesday, 7 July continuing weekly for eight weeks, and can be viewed on Bord Gáis Energy Rewards page - bordgaisenergy.ie/my-rewards. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ken McGrath is optimistic that Waterford’s difficult start to the Championship will prove a blessing in disguise.

But with injuries to key players and a relatively lengthy three-week gap between that loss and a Round 1 qualifier on July 17/18, McGrath is hopeful that a different Waterford team will return.