Derek McGrath's Waterford hurling side were beaten by Kilkenny on a scoreline of 1-21 to 0-18 in the All Ireland semi final but will attend the All Ireland final despite the pangs of jealousy he says he will be feeling on the day.
The Waterford manager told Off The Ball that he felt dismayed watching the Galway and Tipperary game's coverage.
McGrath says as he watched the game from Santa Ponza, "After four or five minutes the commentator said that it's great to see two teams going at it in an orthodox fashion."
McGrath said, "That's what Galway have brought to it, that level of intensity and work rate and it looks then like there's no tactical approach and everyone will talk afterwards about it being hip to hip, there was no systems at play etc. but I think the reality is a little bit different."
Galway have plenty of youth in their squad and there is a feeling that they will play with no baggage this Sunday in Croke Park.
McGrath agrees and thinks that the intensity Galway bring to the game is echoed by their manager on the sideline, "On the Monday after the Tipperary game, people said 'Jesus, there's no fear there with those young lads and that was very evident in their play thus far and that's what you'd hope for and that what I think will happen. I think Galway will bring a bring edge edge to it and I think they'll be very free in how they play."
McGrath also confirmed he will be going to see the game, won't have his notepad and pen there taking notes but does feel jealous that he can't be one of the managers on the sideline and is already thinking about next year,
"We'd be very well aware of the fact that next year will be very extremely difficult for us. The trap you can't fall into is one of, you know, we were that close but the reality is we're just still part of the chasing pack."
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