Frees-y does it, Dessie..
WHILE the vast majority of onlookers were surprised to see Dessie Hutchinson step up to the frees in Waterford’s Munster round robin victory over Cork last Sunday, Stephen Frampton wasn’t.
Former Brighton player Hutchinson missed his first dead ball, but recovered in style to nail everything after that, finishing with 10 points - nine of them frees.
Pauric Mahony is Ballygunner’s free taker, so there is no opening there with the former Waterford star in situ.
“I wasn’t surprised because I saw him (Hutchinson) up in the club practising frees over and over again in the weeks leading up
(to the Cork game),” said Frampton, who is also from Ballgunner.
“He was a professional soccer player and he’s professional in everything he does with hurling now.
Surprised
“I am not surprised. He could have very easily failed against Cork, having missed the first free but he has worked very hard on it. His frees were fantastic after that.
“I am not surprised because he is very dedicated and very driven when it comes to anything he does.
“He would have put a huge amount of work into that.”
Stephen Bennett stayed on the long range frees but handed over the closer in ones to Hutchinson: “Maybe it is to take some of the pressure off Stephen,” said Frampton.
“I think that’s really all it was. I don’t know. I am not privy to what goes on in the panel at this stage.
“Stephen is the vice captain there as well and that’s probably another responsibility.
“Maybe removing one of his responsibilities might help Stephen’s game as well.”