“Walsh Park is our pitch and it’s our Colosseum”
Waterford selection Dan Shanahan believes that the Déise can deliver Munster victory at Walsh Park on Sunday. Photos: INPHO
Déise coach Dan Shanahan wants Waterford fans to create a raucous atmosphere on Sunday and carry the team over the line against defending All Ireland champions Clare. Shanahan saw first-hand in Cusack Park last weekend the difference a home crowd can make.
“The atmosphere in Ennis was unreal, 20,000 people up there. The support is going to be phenomenal. Our grounds, our people behind us. We’re really looking forward to a full, sold out Walsh Park. Running out of that tunnel to play championship hurling is everything that fellas dream of. When you train, you train for these occasions.
“Next Sunday and the following Saturday against the All-Ireland champions and the previous All Ireland champions. We know we’re going to get a massive support. Since Peter took over, we’ve won the crowds back. People weren’t going to matches, they’re back going to matches now. It’s so important, not only for us but for Waterford hurling as well. It’s massive for the players to see the crowd so close. It’s our pitch; it’s our Colosseum. Please god that we will give a performance to get the crowd behind us.”
Shanahan and Peter Queally watched from the stand as Clare rallied from twelve points down to earn a draw against Cork. “They never died, they showed character for their manager. The sending off had a big bearing on the game but what a comeback from Clare. They got a great result. They were unlucky not to win it if I’m being honest with you.”
The aerial threat of Peter Duggan and Aron Shanagher dragged the Banner back into the game. “We were always aware of it. Duggan can catch the ball in the air with both hands as well as Shanagher. Not only that it was the movement of Ian Galvin and Mark Rodgers off the ball. I said it at half time that if they could get aerial ball into Peter Duggan, they would have half a chance. What a man in the air. He can catch ball with both hands, not many fellas can do that.
“I thought Shanagher would have been brought on earlier. The way Brian Lohan used his team after Cork went a man down, sitting John Conlon in the pocket, they really grew in confidence after that. To have a game of that intensity is unbelievable. It will definitely bring Clare on. We can’t worry about that, we have ourselves to look after. Knowing Clare are coming to our Colosseum in Walsh Park, we’re looking forward to it.” Waterford switched their training base from the SETU Arena to Walsh Park last weekend. Management hope to have a full panel to pick from. “We’re waiting on medical reports from our physio Michael O’Sullivan. Things have gone well. A few lads didn’t train on Saturday with various little niggles. Hopefully, we’ll have everyone available next Sunday.”
He wants the players to hurl with freedom. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We know what they’re going to bring. We know how hard they’ve worked. I don’t think people realise how hard inter county players work away from the field as well as on it. We just want the lads to go out and express themselves and play Waterford hurling, off the cuff.
“If they make a mistake, next ball. We won’t put any pressure on our players to perform, we know how good they are. All we want to do as a management is let the lads go out and enjoy what they do in training and bring that to the field next Sunday.”
Despite a late wobble, the Lismore legend was pleased with the league final performance. “We were disappointed to concede 1-8 without reply but for 55 minutes, we played some great hurling. People underestimate that. You see Offaly running Dublin close in Parnell Park. It goes to show how good Offaly are. We’d be disappointed with certain parts of the Offaly performance but by god, when you analyse it, we played some stuff for big periods of that game. Training has gone absolutely brilliantly for us the last three weeks.”
Stephen Bennett was man of the match that afternoon as the Ballysaggart sharpshooter continues to play through the pain carrier for his county. He will join the 100 club on Sunday. “He’s defying his hips to be honest with you. He’s a great lad. He knows his limitations in the gym and stuff like that. Peter and Michael O’Sullivan have been outstanding to let him do what he wants because he can’t do what other lads do.
“Stephen has been phenomenal for us in the league. That’s gone now, it’s championship. Please god, on his 100th appearance, he will do justice for himself and his team mates.”
