A tale of two weekends for Waterford hurlers

As far as results go, with the greatest of respect to the Déise hurlers - you can certainly file that one in the “I wasn’t expecting that” category.

A fantastic victory to get off the mark in the league, and almost as importantly - it’ll soften a lot of coughs.

Going into the visit of Limerick with minimal expectations and the risk of a rain cloud forming (as if we need any more of that) - Waterford answered any questions of character. While it’s a shot in the arm, it’s merely a start too and no one will get too carried away. Still, there’s a great sense of satisfaction in the unexpected.

Reuben Halloran has been superb so far this season, to the point of which you’d have to envision him working his way into the starting fifteen for the Munster Championship. His free taking has been superb, but his all round play has also shown notable improvement in terms of consistency. He’s hit 0-50 in five games in 2026 for the Déise. In the absence of Stephen Bennett, Halloran has commendably stepped up to shoulder the scoring burden.

Speaking of Bennetts, Shane Bennett was also excellent, drilling his penalty home, winning balls, launching attacks and his late point felt like an insurance. Mairtín Power impressed in defence and Charlie Treen was also bright, while Calum Lyons’ return will certainly prove beneficial in the months to come. A day with plenty of positives to take, especially after the weekend prior’s lesson on Leeside.

With Offaly to come on Sunday, Waterford suddenly find themselves with a golden opportunity to put four points on the board, four points which a lot of people would’ve considered far-fetched just a week ago. A lot went wrong in Cork last weekend, a lot went right against Limerick and small margins while small in nature can have massive implications in early-season encounters.

On another day, Limerick could’ve dealt another lesson, but they didn’t, the attitude was Waterford’s greatest attribute and that has to be the most pleasing aspect of all.

Much has been made of Shane Dowling’s comments in recent days and while his criticism was undoubtedly ill-informed, over the top and reactive -I wouldn’t waste too much time on some ‘pundits’ - Waterford aren’t supposed to beat big teams because it doesn’t suit a certain narrative.

RTÉ said that Waterford essentially edged a dour free-taking completion against an ‘off-colour’ Limerick. That’s a lazy summation that doesn’t accurately reflect the ramifications nor the story of the game itself.

What concerns me though isn’t what RTÉ or Shane Dowling have to say, it’s what Waterford people themselves have to say. There was a certain cohort last week who were almost giddy with glee that we were hammered by Cork, happy to deliver state of the nation addresses like Dowling, pontificating on how things are inevitably headed to that same old story, same old Déise drivel. Need I remind anyone it’s the first week of February. Whether you’re on top of the world or fifteen feet under, there’s still months to change the mood music.

Looking at the overall picture, Tipperary seem strong as ever particularly in the forward departments, Cork will take a lot of toppling and Galway while pointless have been impressive and will cause plenty of problems. Kilkenny didn’t set the world alight in their opener and Offaly look a touch out of their depth. Those Leinster opponents look a far likelier source of success but there’ll be plenty of twists and turns yet - again, who’d of said with any certainty that Waterford would turn over Limerick.

I spoke last week about making Walsh Park a fortress and that’ll continue to be a central component to any ambitions. Since 2020, Waterford have played 22 competitive games at home, winning 14, drawing two and losing six. A 64% win rate at home, it's a lot lower at neutral venues and on the road.

And that’s really the crux of it all - simplicity. Not in ambition or preparation, but in mindset. Waterford don’t need to redefine themselves every seven days, nor do they need grand declarations after every result, good or bad. The league has a habit of distorting reality if you let it.

Wins can be overstated, defeats catastrophised, and suddenly you’re chasing a narrative rather than building a team. The best thing Waterford can do now is keep their heads down and their feet on the ground.

There will be plenty of external noise between now and April, and even more as summer edges closer. Some of it will be complimentary, some of it dismissive, much of it reactive. That comes with the territory. Internally, there’ll be voices too - doubts after a loss, hype after a win, old scars reopened at the first sign of trouble.

None of it should matter. This group doesn’t need to convince anyone outside the camp of anything at this stage. Progress doesn’t announce itself loudly; it tends to reveal itself over time.

The gradual return of key personnel will only add layers to what’s already there. Calum Lyons is back in the mix, others will follow, and competition for places can only sharpen standards. But that in itself brings another challenge - expectation.

It’s easy to look at a fuller deck and assume things should instantly click. They won’t. Integration takes time, rhythm needs patience, and there will be uneven days along the way. That’s normal, even if social media insists otherwise.

Offaly this weekend represents another test of discipline more than ability. On paper, it’s a game Waterford should be winning, but the danger lies in believing that paper matters. These are the fixtures that can quietly undo good work if approached with anything other than total focus. No statements required, no emotional spikes needed - just a job to be done.

The mood music will keep shifting, that’s unavoidable. A win brings optimism, a loss invites scepticism, and neither should be clung to too tightly. Reflection is for when the season is finished, not while it’s unfolding.

Right now, the aim should be consistency of effort, clarity of purpose and insulation from the surrounding chatter. If Waterford can manage that, the rest will take care of itself - in its own time.