Waterford manager Liam Cahill. Photo: Sportsfile
In recent years the move towards greater structure and tactical game-plans influenced Waterford too and raised the ire of some of their admirers, but there were pragmatic reasons behind it. Waterford were reigning Munster champions when Tipp fired seven goals past Clinton Hennessy in the provincial final of 2011. There has been a growing internal acceptance that ultimately if Waterford wanted to win an All-Ireland they had to be willing to compromise and change old habits. They could no longer continue hurling entirely on their own terms.
Brian Flannery is living in Waterford 30 years, having moved from his native Tipperary. A columnist with The Munster Express, he has seen all of Waterford s matches of recent years and worn the jersey in his day, being part of the Munster winning team of 2002. He sees Cahill s hand in the more rooted Waterford we have today. I think it s very clear that it s team first, says Flannery.