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Their confidence was back
Waterford s Stephen Bennett and Sean Finn of Limerick
Kilkenny great Henry Shefflin reckons Waterford got their confidence back in yesterday’s victory over All-Ireland champions Limerick.
Liam Cahill’s men scored a 1-22 to 0-21 win over the Shannonsiders, claiming their second league win and consigning the Division 1 title holders to a second defeat in the process.
Speaking on Allianz League Sunday, Shefflin said he was impressed by the Deise men’s display, particularly at the back. They re defence was a lot stronger, said the 10-time All-Ireland winner. I think Waterford s strength, they re adding to their panel. Patrick Curran came on around the 56th minute and got three points from play when he came on. Very impressive.
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.