O'Connor belives Fitzgibbon Cup an 'excellent test run' for players who have senior ambitions

“It is about exposing them to a good level and preparing them for senior. Fitzgibbon should nearly be like a development squad for senior hurlers in Waterford."

FITZGIBBON CHALLENGE: SETU Waterford manager Fintan O’Connor believes the Fitzgibbon Cup is a stepping stone for those who want to play senior for Waterford. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

SETU Waterford are back in a Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final for the second February running. Theirs is a largely homegrown team. The homegrown performances offer optimism against a backdrop of barren underage season after barren underage season in the county.

Nobody in Waterford will thank us for dredging up the county’s dreadful minor and U20 record of recent years. It does not make for pleasant reading.