Waterford boss Derek McGrath has welcomed his team's goal glut against Limerick, saying there was a "sigh of relief" at ending a run of three games without a green flag.
The Deise hit the back of the net three times in their Allianz Hurling League semi-final victory after scoring just one goal across their five Division 1A games and quarter-final win over Wexford.
"It should be a help," he told RTÉ Sport. "There is no escaping the fact that we weren’t getting goals.
"We talked about it as a group without it becoming ingrained in our approach to the extent that it hamstrung us. We got a few at the weekend but there is no guarantee we’ll get goals against Clare.
"There wasn’t a huge tactical shift either against Limerick at half-time whereby we said 'this is the way we’re going to play'. It was just the way the game materialised. Shane’s (Bennett) penalty, there was a collective sigh of relief that we’d gotten a goal.
"Whether it will free us or not, only time will tell. That transition between having a good approach with your defence and going forward, that’s a challenge for us."
Waterford have been credited with spearheading a more defensive-minded 'sweeper' system in hurling but McGrath points out that many of their opponents are adopting similar tactics.
"We’re not alone," he said. "Just look at the last round of league games: Wexford set up with seven against us, Clare set up with seven at the weekend, Limerick set up with seven. It’s changed. People are putting more and more thought into the game.
"I don’t think it’s losing any of its instinctive nature as well. There are many moments of brilliance within the game. There’s a realisation now that tackling and winning that dirty ball, that ruck ball, is hugely important to any team’s development.
"People are putting more thought into winning the games at all cost."
Former National Hurling Co-ordinator Paudie Butler suggested that extending games to 80 minutes could be one way to open up space on the pitch, as players tire. But McGrath is adamant that hurling is fine as it is, and that a focus on defensive solidity doesn't necessarily mean a paucity in attack.
"Who am I to disagree with Paudie, he’s an absolute icon within the GAA. But I’d be totally against any change to the game," McGrath said. "I think we’re in danger of, if we try to change the game in any way, or if we try to over-analyse it in terms of what’s happening now, it becomes negative press. And then so much negativity becomes ingrained that people feel they have to do something.
"For me, there is nothing needed to be done. Clare set up with seven (at the back) the last day and scored 4-22. There are elements maybe in people’s approach, that while they might be defensive minded, open up more attacking options.
"I’d be slow to change anything. I don’t think an 80-minute game is any solution. I think it’s probably over-analysis of the game itself."
McGrath believes that Waterford's style of play will to evolve into a more offence-focused gameplan over the coming years, which will be led by their younger stars.
"If you take the model of the Waterford under-21s this year, where the forward line will probably be Patrick Curran, Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett, Stephen Bennett, Tom Devine, Micheal Kearney, six fellas who play or come on for us.
"I think you’ll see Waterford under-21s get a lot of goals, play a certain way. In time, it could be three or four years, the threat that other forward lines offer, when the whole thing levels out, Paddy and Shen and those guys I think they’ll offer that threat in time."
The 1 May date with Clare is likely to come just a little too soon for forward and ace freetaker Pauric Mahony, who broke his leg shortly after last year's league final victory, to start.
McGrath expects him to play some part in the game, however, with a view to reaching full fitness before the June Munster SHC rematch with the Banner.
The manager is also hopeful that front man Maurice Shanahan will make the league decider, pending the results of a scan today .
"He (Mahony) is progressing very well. We were keen to get him a game, some action, in Thurles. He needs games," said McGrath.
"We probably envisage him being involved in some capacity on Sunday week, and then the two games with Ballygunner on 8 and 15 May, and then when they come back to us ahead of the second Clare game he will hopefully be ready to go then.
“As regards a start, not yet anyway.
“Maurice is having a scan. We’ll know more then. He had kind of a hip and a groin issues. Maurice trained with us on Friday night and looked good to go in the training session (but) his hip was catching him into the groin area."
Derek McGrath was speaking at the launch of the 'The Celtic Challenge', a new developmental hurling competition for 16 and 17-year-olds which features representative sides from emerging counties and teams for specific regions of more established counties.
