Waterford selector Dan Shanahan: 'Bigger fish always get the break. We don't get any'

DAN THE MAN: Dan Shanahan believes Waterford don't have much luck. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

Waterford selector Dan Shanahan has claimed the county do not get favourable decisions like bigger hurling counties.

Shanahan was bitterly disappointed for the Waterford panel and manager Peter Queally after Sunday’s defeat to Limerick confirmed the end of their championship.

In seven seasons of the provincial group format, the Déise have yet to qualify from Munster. Shanahan took issue with incidents in the build-up to both of Limerick’s goals at the weekend as well as Mark Fitzgerald’s black card against Cork.

Asked if he saw Waterford as the “smaller fish” as their former manager Davy Fitzgerald coined about Clare during his time in charge there, Shanahan said: “Definitely. I would, of course. I would, because the bigger fish always get the break. We don't get any breaks.”

Fortune deserted Waterford again, Shanahan rued. “We had Limerick rattled for large parts of the game there. I thought Michael Kiely was fouled for the first (Limerick) goal. I thought your man (Aidan O’Connor) definitely dropped his hurley for the second goal. That's the two goals.

“Last week with a (Fitzgerald) decision as well, and the week before with another couple of decisions. That's no excuse. That's not pointing the finger, but we don't seem to get the rub of the green.

“Some days you make your own luck as well, And it's not pointing at the officials either, because it's a tough job to do, but we just don't seem to be getting luck at the moment. You need luck coming to Gaelic Grounds to win something.”

Shanahan also highlighted Waterford have yet to finish with a home game in the seven years of the competition format. That should change next season when Clare are due to visit Azzurri Walsh Park on the final day.

“As long as this competition has been going on, we've never had a home game last,” said the 2007 hurler of the year. “We've always been away in our last game, which is hard to believe if you go through the years that we've been playing.

“But at the start of the year you kind of have to win your home games. We drew one and lost one, so when you come to trying to get results, as good as we played in Clare and as good as we played today up to the 60th minute, and one or two referee decisions over the last 15 minutes didn't go our way, then Limerick took over. Look, good luck to Limerick.”

Shanahan emphasised his pride in the squad for their dedication.

“We’re extremely proud of the players and their effort all year since we went back there in December. The effort they've put in has been unbelievable. Personally, we're hurting as a management for them players.

“We were missing six or seven first-class players, and we come to the Gaelic Grounds, and the scoreboard doesn't do justice, and the previous games we're missing big players as well. And sometimes you just can't do without some of them players.”

As Waterford are left again to think what might have been, Shanahan says it’s important the older generation like Tadhg de Búrca, Jamie Barron and Stephen Bennett “hold on” for 2027.

“As the weeks go on, we'll be sitting at home watching the games in the summer when hurling should be played. Again, it hurts for the boys because, let's be honest, they train so hard, and yet they're gone in May. And they're amateur players, and they put their lives on the line for hurling. And one or two decisions don't go your way, and you're gone out of the championship.

“But again, I think we've been consistent this year, as in playing-wise. We went to the end, we've got backsides back on seats in Walsh Park, and up here again (in Limerick).

“There is a good minor team coming, that'll take a few years, but we've a few lads there who have a whole lot more in them. Will they be gone when the other lads come through?”

Whatever about a format change, Shanahan would love to see a schedule rethink so that the likes of Waterford could play into June.

“What is the rush? Is it a condensed season or a club season? Give a team two weeks of a break, play a match, week off, play a match, week off, play a match, week off. Because these players are amateurs.

“So, back to their clubs now and hopefully kill each other, shake hands and get ready for 2027, which is a long way away now as I'm talking to you now here.”