In a way it was a Cork versus Waterford Munster senior hurling championship game much like any other, recalls An Fear Rua …

Here was a game evenly balanced for much of its duration, with scores being exchanged tit-for-tat … a bit of a decent lead opened up by one side … the leaders gradually reeled in until the teams are level with just a minute to go … Then, cool under pressure, a great puckout is followed by a clever flick-on and a star player blasts the ball over the bar from a distance for a stunning winner. The game is over and the dejected losers troop towards the dressing-room while the victors whoop it up with their supporters – imbibing a heady mixture relief and triumph. How many times have we seen it before at Thurles or Limerick ?

But this time there was one big difference. It wasn’t the red shirts of Cork who did the last minute stealing. Ah no. In a twist of plot worthy of the late John B Keane – God be good to him this day! – it was Waterford who kept the head and snatched a dramatic – and deserved – last gap winner. How many times has it been otherwise?

It all came at the end of an unfortunate weekend for Cork people: Keano out of the World Cup in one of the greatest managerial bungles since Custer told the US Seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn: ‘Those redskins look friendly to me …’ …. Munster defeated at the Millennium Stadium … and now the senior hurlers beaten by …. wait for it Waaaaaaterrrfurt !

But this was no lucky fluke by the Déise. It was a stirring and worthy Munster hurling victory carved out through skill, calmness and a palpable determination to win. They will have gained immensely in confidence from this result and, in AFR’s view, will be a force to be reckoned with right through to the end of Championship 2002.

Funny enough, his breakfast time reading before heading off for Thurles gave AFR an inkling that something unexpected might have been afoot that day. The book plonked down beside the feed of rashers, sausages, black pudding, white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms and fried bread was none other than Just-In McCarthy’s recently published autobiography ‘Hooked – A Hurling Life’. Even in the first ten pages of the book, McCarthy’s emphasis on hurling skill, endless hours of practice and will-to-win shines through on every page. An Fear Rua saw clear evidence of Just-In’s influence at Semple stadium, particularly in the way several key Waterford players lifted their game, albeit some of them only after a dressing room speech at half-time. In fact, it is AFR’s belief that some Waterford big ‘names’ would prefer to suffer in Hell’s Kitchen and win, than return in defeat to face the wrath of Just-In Himself!

This was a strong Cork team, packing some big hurling names – the likes of Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Timmy McCarthy, Ben O’Connor and Joe Deane. The Waterford full-back line, of Murray, Feeney and Flannery – normally so dependable – were uncharacteristically shaky. Championship nerves maybe? AFR had predicted that a lot depended on Paul Flynn. And boys-o-boys didn’t he deliver in spades for the Déise. He picked off his frees steadily, no matter what the angle or distance, cleverly using the wind and kept his team still in contention at half-time.

In the second half, a hitherto fumbling Tony Browne grew in confidence and his long distance goal was just the kind of heartbreaker Waterford teams have, more often than not, been on the receiving end from Cork. Waterford duly lifted their game and enjoyed a golden spell of supremacy when they added six points to the score board without reply. However, a great recovery by Cork hauled Waterford back to level pegging with less than five minutes to go. Thus we approached the precise moment of truth when, in the past, so many Waterford teams have buckled, particularly against the Rebels. Stephen Brenner – who had a great game throughout – had a different answer in mind. His long range puck out found Brian Greene. He flicked to Ken McGrath and with hardly a glance, the Mount Sion man drilled the ball effortlessly between the posts. A few seconds later, and Dickie Murphy blew his whistle.

Afterwards, of course, we had the farcical coda of Al. Al, you may remember, was the Guy who – allegedly – turned Michelle Smith-De Bruin’s water into wine … or was it Twelve Year Old Jameson? Better men nor Al Guy have tried and failed to get into a Waaaaterrrfurt dressing room on a big match day. Back in ’57, the British actor, John Gregson, was starring in a film based on the adventures of a fictional hurler called ‘Rooney’ but his way into the Waterford dressing-room was barred before the ’57 All Ireland! Anyway, anyone could have told the Guy that the only traces likely to be found in Waterford urine might be those of blaaas, ‘leahrge’ bottles and crubeens.

From now on, the sporting focus is increasingly on the soccer World Cup in Japan and Korea. Japan is the home of a celebrated breakthrough in manufacturing management called ‘Just In Time’. Basically, this means you don’t waste or lose money by hoarding excessive stocks of raw materials or replacement parts. Instead, you simply keep sufficient materials on hands to have them ‘Just In Time’ to complete tasks. How appropriate, then, that Waterford’s senior hurlers seem to be benefiting from their own ‘Justin Time Solution’ …

Related Topic:
Competitive Waterford Get the Breaks