This week in Limerick there is an increasing optimism that Justin McCarthy, Brian Ryan and Liam Garvey can lead the Shannonsiders into a provincial final.
One thing is for sure, the weather and the standard of hurling can’t be any worse in Saturday’s replay.
Limerick were the side that finished with the momentum in their sails in the drawn game and it is key that they continue where they left off.
Many have questioned the mental scars of Waterford after last September’s All-Ireland final collapse.
When Limerick did raise a gallop after the half time break in the drawn game Waterford looked insecure.
It is vital that Limerick ask questions of their opponents in the opening quarter and perhaps awaken the doubts that must exist in their minds.
It took Limerick until the 11th minute to open their scoring account last week and by then Waterford were three points to the good.
Let’s not be foolish, confidence is not sky-high in the Limerick camp, but if they can build on last week’s second half the bookies odds of 11-8 begin to look attractive.
There was much to admire about Limerick’s defensive display last Sunday with just two of the Waterford attack scoring from play and once Damien Reale nullified John Mullane not a single score was conceded in the second half from open play.
The second half fight back was inspired from the half-back line where Brian Geary, Mark Foley and Denis Moloney dominated.
It is perceived that Geary and Foley could be caught for pace and any change of tactic by Davy Fitzgerald will need to be countered by the Limerick management.
While the Limerick team was not available at the time of going to print, the only change from one to nine could be the selection of Moloney ahead of Stephen Walsh.
Much of last Sunday’s game by-passed midfield.
Seamus Hickey did his best to inspire those around him and covered vast areas of Tom Semple’s field, but his direct opponent Stephen Molumphy also played plenty of ball for The Decies.
Donal O’Grady and Shane O’Sullivan were absent for long periods and if the Granagh-Ballingarry man can find his rhythm for the replay, Limerick will prosper.
Attack is undoubtedly where Limerick will seek improvement. Eight different players contributed to the total of 13 wides.
There was much rotating of players in the opening half and the unit appeared to settle when James Ryan grew into his role at centre forward.
There were eyebrows raised in Waterford with the inclusion of the WIT wing-back in Limerick’s attack, but the Galbally man drove forward at every opportunity and helped to stem the dominance of Brick Walsh.
It was clear that Ollie Moran needs match practise. After missing the league with a knee injury, last Sunday was Moran’s first competitive inter-county encounter since last July and although many questioned managements persistence with the Ahane man, the 70 minutes should stand to him on Saturday evening.
Andrew O’Shaughnessy is another that always carries the hopes of the Green and White army. It is clear that ‘Shaughs’ is not high on confidence at present, but hope remains that just one breaking ball could turn his season.
In the past Justin McCarthy has been known for wholesale changes and he must have spent hours of the past week looking at the varying permutations available in attack.
Na Piarsaigh’s David Breen surely did enough to start at the edge of the square as long as his persistent hamstring injury holds up.
One half-forward line combination could see James Ryan in the centre with the Moran brothers either side.
With Breen at number 14, that would leave O’Shaughnessy, Ryan, Sheehan, Tobin, Browne and Mulcahy as options in the two corners.
Win or loose Limerick’s next appointment in the championship will be on the weekend of July 11-12 - that’s unless there is another tirlogy in the offering.
Jerome O’Connell
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