Future is bright veterans tell young Waterford side

Former playing rivals Phil "Fan" Larkin of Kilkenny and Gerald McCarthy of Cork, who now manages Waterford, were at one after yesterday's match in Croke Park. The two, who clashed on many a playing field in the 1970s, agreed that neither Kilkenny nor Waterford had played to their full potential, and that Waterford, in spite of their disappointing defeat, still had a bright future ahead.

Larkin, who had watched his son Philip play a significant part in Kilkenny's victory, was generous in his assessment of Waterford. "They are a very fine team and have great potential. They were a bit unlucky today not to get a draw but they can look back on a very good season and look forward to a bright future," he said.

He declared himself opposed to the "back door" system which allows beaten Munster and Leinster finalists back into the All-Ireland series, but then went on to forecast a Kilkenny-Offaly All-Ireland final. Offaly were beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final, and have to still overcome Clare in next Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final replay if they are to reach the final.

"Well, it was an all-Munster final last year and I believe it will be an all-Leinster final this year. A lot of people are underestimating Offaly, but I believe they will win the replay," Larkin said, with that familiar mischievous gleam in his eye.

McCarthy was crestfallen but philosophical about his team's defeat. "We did not deserve to win because we didn't play as well as we should. Maybe we deserved a draw. But we have no complaints."

The Kilkenny manager, Kevin Fennelly did not write off the possibility of a Kilkenny-Offaly final. "Clare have been the best side in the country for the past few years and they have proved it on the field. But we in Kilkenny will never write off Offaly. When the chips are down they are one of the most difficult teams to beat and if they can select from a full panel, free of injury, then they could be in the final," he said.

Asked about the huge popularity of hurling in recent years he paid tribute to Clare, Wexford and Waterford. "When they came through in the last few years they brought a new spirit into the game and the public have responded. It is a great boost to the game and all the counties are reaping the benefits," he said. "We have a marvellous game and we need to look after it. No matter where you go tonight here in Dublin or in Kilkenny or Waterford you will find supporters of both sides standing together talking or having a drink and there won't be any need for police. People respect each other and respect the game and that is why there were more than 50,000 at the match today. That is what sport means.

"We know very well that the Waterford players and supporters are disappointed just as we would have been if we were beaten by a single point. We also know that they will be cheering for us in the final and we will welcome their support and we promise that we won't let them down," he said.

Kilkenny would have to improve for the final, he opined. "We were not at our best today and there are areas where we will have to improve, particularly in attack. The wind was difficult but we should have been able to cope with it more effectively. We missed far too many chances from frees and from play and we will have to put that right."

Gerald McCarthy also bemoaned the fact that Waterford had not made the most of the chances which come their way. "It was a low-scoring match and scores were precious. Neither side played well in that respect and the defences were on top. Their goal came from a mis-hit free by DJ Carey and there was an element of luck about our goal as well. Both goalkeepers played extremely well. (Waterford goalkeeper) Brendan Landers had a great match and was very unlucky for their goal.

"We are deeply disappointed, but we have a young side and we have a lot of potential. There is a new pride in Waterford hurling and we have marvellous supporters. You haven't heard the last of this team by any means," he said with some feeling.

Asked if he would be part of this Waterford team's future he was non-commital. "It is not the time nor the place for thinking about things like that. To be honest it hasn't entered my mind one way or another. We have been far too busy with a whole series of matches, including a replay against Clare, and we have concentrated on what happens on the field." Waterford captain Steve Frampton also relished the chance to step away from the fray. "We will have to take a little time off to consider what has happened. So many things have taken place over the past few months that nobody has had time to sit down and think.

"One thing, though, is that we have come a long way and we can be proud of what we have achieved so far and go on to build on it."

Kilkenny's most feared forward, DJ Carey, was coy about the free which he took which may, or may not, have been mis-hit. "These things happen in a match and you have to make the most of the chances which come your way. I will have to put in a lot of hard training between now and the final, we all will. I was not fully fit today but it was a free-taker's nightmare the way the wind was blowing.

"I missed several frees that I would normally have converted into scores but I just couldn't read the wind no matter how I struck the ball," he said.