John Mullane believes the nature of Waterford’s Munster semi-final defeat of Clare is a serious statement of intent and says the Déise are now the team to beat in hurling.
On 10 July Waterford will contest their seventh provincial final appearance in 10 seasons, a record that can’t be bettered by any other county in the province in that period after a comprehensive win over the Banner in Thurles.
Austin Gleeson collected another man-of-the-match accolade with 0-06 from play, Pauric Mahony demonstrated his unerring accuracy from placed balls, Maurice Shanahan continued the family knack of plundering crucial goals in the big games while Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Kevin Moran were again inspirational leaders in a developing side.
Throw in outstanding defensive displays from the Fives brothers Darragh and Shane and the resolute Barry Coughlan in the full-back line and it is easy to see why Derek McGrath’s side are being tipped for a bright future.
However Waterford legend Mullane, a five-time All Star, thinks that success could be sooner rather than later.
The bookies have reigning champions Kilkenny and Tipperary as the top two in the pecking order, but Mullane, who played in the 2008 All-Ireland final, says the “majestic” display in Thurles could pave the way for a glorious year.
“In any of the teams I played in over the years, I can’t recall performance that would top that,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“All over the field, to a man, they were far superior to Clare. They were absolutely outstanding.
“I firmly believe now that we can go the whole way. I know we don’t want to get carried away, but it’s going to take one hell of a team to beat this Waterford team.”
Waterford manager Derek McGrath praised the efforts of the players and their families in putting their“lives on hold” and was delighted with how his side regrouped after the league defeat to the same opposition just four weeks previous.
"This team has arrived and made a massive statement"
Mullane, a brother-in-law of McGrath, says the manager deserves enormous credit for his tactical innovation which is constantly evolving.
"He’s a very shrewd man.
"All the talk at the start was Waterford playing a one-man, maybe two-man full-forward line.
“They actually played with three men inside for the first 10 minutes, 15 minutes. That set the tone early on.
“Austin [Gleeson] actually started in and around the full-forward line and any time the ball went in it hard danger written all over it.”
The Déise have a little under two weeks to cast their eye on the other semi-final when Tipperary and Limerick do battle for a place in the decider on 19 June.
The decorated player firmly believe that Waterford are now in pole position to land a just a third Liam MacCarthy title and a first since 1959.
“This team has arrived and made a massive statement.
"The statement they made is that they are the team to beat in the championship."
