League form is more suspect than ever as Waterford hurlers bow out

Inside Track with John McIntyre

Well, the National Hurling League certainly made fools of us – at least where Waterford are concerned. The team which was perceived as the biggest threat to Limerick’s championship dominance have already bitten the dust after unexpectedly running into serious turbulence in Munster.

The newly crowned league champions have exited the title race after losing three consecutive games. The nadir was reached in Ennis last Sunday when they were walloped by a resurgent Clare outfit which sauntered to a 12-point victory thanks to a brace of goals from Davy Fitzgerald and another green flag from David Reidy.

With Shane O’Donnell also in sparkling form for the Banner, Waterford disappointingly limped out of the championship despite Dessie Hutchinson’s haul of 1-6 from play. It’s clear in retrospect, that Liam Cahill’s team were left demoralised by the surprise loss to Cork at Walsh Park the previous weekend, especially as that result left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Needing Tipperary to get the better of the Rebels even if Waterford were to win a championship game in Ennis for the first time, they had the look of condemned men at Cusack Park. With their injuries piling up, the Deise were a pale imitation of the vibrant force which had captured the league title just seven weeks earlier.

It’s clear Waterford invested too much energy in chasing league glory and got the timing wrong in terms of their preparations. Contrast how flat they looked last Sunday to a Clare outfit whose spring form was nothing to write home about. Waterford used the league to win it; Clare used it as a stepping stone for the championship.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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