Despite Waterford’s recent 1-19 to 2-15 win over Tipperary in the Allianz League semi final, the Deise are the underdogs going into Sunday's Munster final against last years beaten All Ireland finalists Tipperary. The Premier are in the All Ireland conversation after taking Kilkenny to a replay last year while the Deise are coming back to the top table following promotion and their league success. Speaking after the win over Cork in the Munster semi final, selector Dan Shanahan insisted Waterford were never gone!
Eoin Kelly won two All Ireland's with the Premier in 2001 and 2010. The now retired forward hopes the Premier don’t over analyse their opponents; “you’ll have to get your shooters on the ball to stop Waterford’s momentum their system kicks in and then they get momentum”. We’ve seen in the league that no team has counteracted as yet I think it’ll be an intriguing battle”.
Once again the talking point around Kilkenny in Sunday’s Leinster final was the work rate and that’s something Kelly says is relevant for Tipp if they’re to break down Waterford’s link play and speedy counter attacks; “the Tipp half forward line especially and the forward line in general will have to have a savage work rate to stop the Waterford half backs setting up the way theywant. If you give them time and space they’ll pick out the pass and they’ll hang onto the ball which gives guys time to come off the shoulder”.
Much of the pre match talk revolves around weather. Is it more important for the young and growing Waterford or the experienced, or final weary depending on your outlook, Tipperary to win the Munster cup? Kelly thinks it’s vital for the Premier to win; “Tipp are being put up on a pedestal with Kilkenny. It’s fine for Kilkenny, they have the silverware to back it up where as the Tipp players and they‘d say it themselves don’t have the medals the last couple of seasons so it’s a great opportunity for them and I think it’s one they won’t leave behind.”Six time All star, two time All Ireland and five time Munster Championship winner Eoin Kelly spoke to me at the Etihad Poc Fada in Croke Park where he not only previews the Munster final but also the rest of this weekends games including the qualifier between Limerick and Dublin which is live on Off the Ball this Saturday. Eoin will be in the commentary box for the game with All Ireland winner Daithi Regan and commentator Dave McIntyre.
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