Waterford open their account with impressive performance

NHL DIVISION ONE: Waterford 0-20 Clare 0-13:ONE OF the perils of the new hurling league format is how quickly the pressure comes on, even in the middle of February. For Waterford that pressure has lifted a little after recording the first win of their campaign while for Clare it's the exact opposite.

Apparently Waterford don’t have a great record in Cusack Park but this was a game they never looked like losing. They dominated practically throughout with some beautiful hurling for the time of year and in the end the only surprise was they didn’t win by more.

It was also the day when Davy Fitzgerald and Mike McNamara crossed paths on the sideline for the first time since they shared the same mission. They were a contrast of emotions throughout the game – Fitzgerald flapping his arms about at regular intervals while McNamara stood with his arms neatly folded, and no prizes for guessing who was more emotional afterwards.

“Today was a hard day. Let’s just say I found it difficult,” said Fitzgerald. “When you play with Clare for 20 years it’s hard to come into Ennis to play against them. But at the end of the day I have a job to do with Waterford, and I’m very proud of the way the lads played. And I’m very happy to be part of it.”

Truth is Waterford weren’t tested too much by Clare, who played a lethargic and ragged game. Typically, Waterford’s scoring threat was coming from all directions, including Ken McGrath, who played his latest role at centre forward and moved neatly into scoring positions, converting four, though also missing as many.

Shane Walsh and Gary Hurney scored two each but the big sensation of the day was Micheal “Brick” Walsh at centre back, who covered his space with total authority. Eoin Kelly also played a late cameo role and probably hit the ball four times in total – each one of which ended in points; three from play, and one converted 65.

Given Waterford are still down a few top players it was a convincing performance – with no signs of any All-Ireland hangover: “I’m trying to build the strongest panel I possibly can,” added Fitzgerald, “to put lads under pressure, so the first 16 or 17 guys don’t feel they can walk on to the team the whole time. We need to have competition for players.”

There is a consistency about Waterford hurling that wasn’t there before, and even accounting for their opening-round loss to Tipperary, they’ll be hard to beat from here on.

Clare’s two losses to date leave them in a difficult position, particularly with Tipperary up next. They were constantly chasing the game, down 0-11 to 0-6 at the break, and although they hit four early second-half points – including a fire-starter from James McInerney – to come back to within one, their challenge promptly fizzled out again, without a sniff of the goal they so craved.

“Sure Waterford were much sharper, much hungrier,” said McNamara. Clare’s scoring threat was paltry, at best. Once again it was the old swing of Niall Gilligan who offered them something, hitting 0-5 including three frees, while Barry Nugent and Colin Ryan showed their ability only in flashes.

“Our full-back line was solid enough,” added McNamara, “but our forwards were being dragged and pulled all over the place, and there was an anxiety in their play, which shouldn’t be there. But we’ve a large panel, 37 players. And we’re trying to figure out which are the 20 that can assault the championship. Along the way we might take some pain in that. But we have to get the camp right as well.”

WATERFORD:C Hennessy; E Murphy, D Prendergast, N Connors; R Foley (0-1), M Walsh, J Murray; S O'Sullivan, J Nagle (0-1); D Shanahan (0-1), K McGrath (0-4), G Hurney (0-2); J Kennedy, S Walsh (0-2), S Prendergast (0-5, three frees). Subs: E Kelly (0-4, one 65) for Shanahan (55 mins), P Hurney for Kennedy (58 mins), J Hurney for G Hurney (62 mins), M Shanahan for McGrath (70 mins).

CLARE:P Brennan; P Vaughan, C Dillon, G O'Grady; B Bugler, J McInerney (0-1), P Donnellan; J Clancy, C Lynch; D McMahon, T Griffin, C Ryan (0-3); N Gilligan (0-5, three frees), C Morey (0-1), B Nugent (0-3). Subs: A Markham for McMahon (43 mins), C Hassett for Lynch (53 mins), M Flaherty for Nugent (55 mins), M Hayes for Donnellan (62 mins).

Referee:D Murphy (Wexford).