Deise are a class act! A TALL ORDER: SEE SPORT
Pupils make their point as Waterford chase first hurling crown since 1959
EXCITEMENT is building in Waterford ahead of the county’s All- Ireland hurling final against Limerick on Sunday.
Students and teachers donned their best blue and white gear yesterday as hopes soared i n anticipation of the big game.
This year has seen the Championship delayed due to Covid- 19 and it will be the latest date on which the final has taken place since 1924, when it was held on December 14.
Limerick last took home the trophy in 2018 following a 3- 16 to 2- 18 win over Galway.
However, for the Deise it has been a 61- year wait and they have only appeared in three finals since their success in 1959.
And legendary Tipperary hurler Lar Corbett said a low- key buildup can help Waterford’s All- Ireland bid.
The double AllI r e l a n d w i n n e r believes this year’s u n i q u e c i r c u m - stances will give the Deise a real chance o f t o p p l i n g t h e favourites.
S p e a k i n g t o Boylesports’ Leon
Blanche, the threetime All- Star added the different preparations could benefit the underdogs come Sunday’s showdown at Croke Park.
He said: “Normally there’s a few weeks between the semi- final and the final. Your phone gets extra busy, your workplace gets busy with people wanting a piece of you, even attention from relations and people walking round your local village or town.
“But now, nobody is talking or socialising. This suits Waterford. They’ve been craving this Liam Maccarthy Cup for a long time but the players are in their bubble a n d t h a t ’s e x a c t l y w h e r e [ manager] Liam Cahill wants them.
“There were no big celebrations after the semi- final, it was straight back to training and this could not be f al l i ng any bett er f or t he management and the players.
“I think it’s going to help them that they’re not surrounded by the circus two weeks leading up to the final.
“When you go to Croke Park to play, the hullabaloo starts at the hotel with the police escort, then you see the crowds going in and the goosebumps start. The same i nt e nsi t y i s not t h e r e wit h t h e c r o wd a n d e v e r y t h i n g surrounding it.”
Corbett even suggested the lack of fans could be in Waterford’s favour. He added: “If things aren’t going well for them, Liam Cahill
Nobody is talking or socialising. This suits Waterford LAR CORBETT YESTERDAY
will get his instructions across to the players and the players can shout instructions to each other.
“Normally on All- Ireland final day in Croke Park, a guy 10 yards away will not hear you.” This will be the third final in the past four years not to involve one of the “big t hree” of Cork, Kil kenny and Tipperar y after Galway versus
Waterford in 2017 and Limerick against Galway the following year. It will also be the third final in which both the teams are from Munster.