In the National Hurling League semi-final on April 15, Waterford edged Cork out by scoring two late points. In last Sunday's final, the Déise did the same against Kilkenny. And there the similarities between the two games end.
The Waterford v Cork game was the most evenly contested since this column began its system of quantifying plays several years ago, with hardly a puck of the ball between the teams in terms of general play. Last Sunday's game, by contrast, was territorially dominated by Waterford almost from start to finish, with the exception of the fifteen-minute period just after half time.
In the first half, Waterford made 93 plays (including scores from frees) to Kilkenny's 77. In the second half, despite the Cats' brief period of dominance, the gap in plays widened to 108-72 for a total of 201-149 in Waterford's favour.
So why didn't the Déise win pulling up? There were several reasons for this, One was a series of bad wides, especially in the first half (although Kilkenny themselves were guilty of some dreadful shooting in the second half).
A second was the no-show of so many of the Waterford forwards. Shane Walsh only played the ball three times before being hauled ashore after 48 minutes. Dan Shanahan lasted the entire game and still only made five plays. Big Dan is absolutely hopeless when the ball is at his feet, so if you can prevent him from gaining possession you have it made. Kilkenny are masters at spoiling the play, even though Seamus Roche made a valiant effortto punish their less legitimate efforts in this direction. John Mullane saw a lot more action (13 plays) but his touch was completely off for most of the game and it was only late on that he made an impact.
The third reason for Waterford's failure to turn their superior number of plays into scores was that a large number of these plays, especially in the second half, were flicks, blocks and kicks as the game descended into an out-and-out dogfight with repeated bunching of players all over the field. Even where the ball was moved over longer distances, it was frequently done under pressure, given the tightness of the exchanges. Overall, much of the Waterford play was about stopping Kilkenny rather than about being creative themselves and in this they were very successful.
Surprise was expressed in some quarters by the choice of Ken McGrath as Man of the Match on TG4. Aidan Kearney was a popular alternative among Déise fans, with Brick Walsh and Seamus Prendergast also being mentioned frequently. However, the statistics show that Pat Fleury got it dead right. McGrath was easily Waterford's most consistent and influential player over the 70 minutes, with his three long-distance frees in the first half, at a time when the Déise were finding it hard to put any scores on the board, being particularly crucial.
According to this column's new scoring system, with plays being awarded one, two or three points depending on their quality and significance. McGrath was way ahead of everyone else on 42 points, of which 26 were scored in the first half. Next in line was Henry Sheflin with 35 points. Much of this was amassed from frees, but the King was also influential from general play when he moved outfield and away from the shackles of Declan Prendergast. Were it not for his uncharacteristic errors (including the absolute howler from a 20 metre free before halftime), Kilkenny probably would have won and Henry would have been Fleury's choice.
While no other Kilkenny player breached the 30 mark, three Waterford players did. Freetaker Eoin Kelly (31) was predictably one of these, although he also did a fair bit of work around the field, especially when moved to midfield in the second half. Both Waterford starting midfielders, Brick Walsh and Jack Kennedy, made 30 points. While the latter's points were evenly divided between halves, Brick amassed 23 of his in the second half during which he was the dominant figure, particularly in the closing 20 minutes. As observed by a poster on another website, Brick essentially dragged Waterford over the finishing line - a true captain's role.
Four Kilkenny players scored in the twenties - Gorta Comerford (27), Derek Lyng (26), Jackie Tyrrell (24) and Tommy Walsh (22). In addition to having four players in the 30+ category (to Kilkenny's one), Waterford also had six players in the twenties - Stephen Molumphy (28), Tony Browne (23), John Mullane (21) and Declan Prendergast, Aidan Kearney and Seamus Prendergast (20 each).
At the other end of the scale, Kilkenny had three starting players who didn't make double figures - Noel Hickey (8) and Aidan Fogarty and Eddie Brennan (9 each). Cha Fitzpatrick managed 10 and Richie Power 13. Shane Walsh (4) was the only Waterford player not to make double figures. Even Dan Shanahan made 11 from his five plays with Eoin Murphy the next lowest at 16. Waterford also won the substitute stakes hands down: whereas the Eoins McCormack and Larkin got two points from a single play between them, Paul Flynn, Eoin McGrath and Shane O'Sullivan all made a significant contribution, compiling 16 points between them.
A key factor in Waterford's victory was Kilkenny's failure to score any goals. This was largely down to a superb performance by the Déise fullbacks and the alertness of their goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy when the Cats did threaten a breakthrough. However, the record of the last three years is contrary to the common image of Kilkenny as a goalscoring machine. Of 22 championship and league games played by the Cats since 2005, they have failed to score a goal in seven and scored only one goal in six. In only four games did they score three or more goals.
Waterford's goalscoring record in the same period is even worse. Of 33 league and championship games, no goals were scored in eleven and only one in twelve. They scored three or more in six games, but these were against the likes of Down, Laois, Westmeath and Dublin. If, as they say, goals win championships, then Waterford would need to brush up in this area if they aspire to All-Ireland glory. They could try playing John Mullane closer to goal, for a start.
A couple of final points. When the attendance of 22,000 was announced in Semple Stadium last Sunday, the crowd predictably broke into laughter. A similar attendance was announced for the semi-finals, but there were clearly far more people there last Sunday. The stands were more tightly packed while there was a much bigger group on the town terrace. An Moltóir would have estimated around 30,000. If the official attendance did not include the large numbers of kids (as well as pensioners) who were admitted free, we should be told.
And once again last Sunday we witnessed the total shambles which throw-ins have become in hurling games these days. No attempt was made by Seamus Roche to apply the two basic rules about throw-ins - that no other players apart from the pair involved in the throw-in should be within 14 yards and that both players should have their hurleys on the ground when the ball is thrown in.
Throw-ins at the best of times are dangerous affairs. When the ball is thrown in at shin height (as Roche did at least once in Thurles) and both players are already swinging, nasty injuries can be expected. The GAA badly needs to look at this. For what it is worth, this column would recommend a variation on the hockey bully-off. With all other players at least 14 yards away, place the ball on the ground between the participating players who should be facing each other (rather than standing side by side) with their hurleys touching the ground on each side of the ball. When the referee sounds his whistle, let them at it.
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