Talking Points ahead of high-stakes Munster hurling clash between Limerick and Waterford

Talking points ahead of Waterford

This Sunday Limerick face Waterford in the Munster Hurling Championship. Defeat has been the lot for both these sides so far with Waterford picking up a pair of losses to add to Limerick’s defeat against Cork in the Gaelic Grounds.

With so much at stake in this must win game for both, we analyse some of the key talking points.

Which Limerick will show up?

In thier Munster championship opener, Limerick lost to Cork by seven points. Limerick lead by a point at the half, but there was an alarming gulf in class between the sides in the second half with Cork outscoring Limerick 1-20 to 1-7 from play overall. Although Cork had the advantage of playing a game the week earlier, Limerick were sluggish for most of the game.

While last summer, Limerick were noted for their constant energy and composure, those traits abandoned the team last Sunday as they looked lost at different junctures in the Gaelic Grounds. When they found themselves six points down against Cork in Croke Park last summer, Limerick stuck to the process and scored seven points on the trot to come away with a famous win in extra time.

However, last time out, Limerick resorted to long and desperate balls for much of the second half coming away from the methodical approach that has served them so well over the past eighteen months.

Waterford will have patches of dominance on Sunday and Limerick must ensure they do not panic in these moments or it could be lights out in early June for the defending All-Ireland champions.

What Waterford will show up?

Under Derek McGrath, Waterford just couldn’t secure a coveted All-Ireland win. Semi-finalists in 2016, they went one step further the following year but were undone by an excellent Galway team. Last summer they were decimated by injury, failing to make it out of Munster with McGrath leaving his position.

Paraic Fanning was appointed his successor and in his first league campaign as manger he successfully guided his side to the League final where they were undone by a supreme Limerick side. However, there was much hope for this Waterford side heading into the Munster championship with a quality mix of young and old sprinkled throughout the side.

Yet, in their opening two games in the championship, they have been on the wrong side of two losses, firstly at home to Clare and then against Tipperary where they were beaten by eighteen points in a forgettable day in Semple Stadium. While Tipperary have been impressive in their opening two games, the manner of the loss will be very worrying for Waterford fans.

Their form as such this year has been hit and miss with potential to beat Limerick but also to be on the receiving end of a heavy beating as they were in Croke Park in March.

All or nothing for Limerick

While there is a chance that Limerick can still qualify even if they lose on Sunday, that is a big if. John Kiely acknowledged it in his post-match press conference after the Cork loss that Limerick need to get a result in Walsh Park if they are to go further in this year’s championship. Last summer Limerick needed five points to finish third in Munster and will need at least a draw this weekend if they are to repeat that.

Thus, this game is all-or-nothing for Limerick. There is no room for complacency for the next three weeks and the players will be aware of that. Limerick will have to start bright and put the squeeze on Waterford as they did in the Gaelic Grounds last June and in Croke Park earlier this year which saw the Deise crumble.

There will be nerves in Walsh Park and the last thing Limerick will want is a close game as the final whistle approaches after the performance in the Gaelic Grounds against Cork.

However, this team as shown consistently over the past year just how clinical they can be, and this must be shown on Sunday once again.

Does Kiely make changes to the team?

Against Cork, Limerick started the game with fourteen of the team that started the All-Ireland final the previous August. The only change to occur was that of Peter Casey in the place of Seamus Flanagan.

In truth there was no surprises when the team was named with that core of players performing so well, so consistently during last summer’s championship and again in the league. But, the flat performance in the Cork defeat will certainly lead to John Kiely to question should he change his preferred starting XV ahead of Waterford.

Graeme Mulcahy aside, it is hard to argue if any player performed up to their known level which says more for the team than the individuals. Regardless, there may be changes in personal with Limerick looking to offer something different.

Smart money says there won’t be any changes with the players offered the chance to redeem themselves and rightly so. Yet, it cannot be ruled out that new faces will get their chance in Walsh Park.