DAN SHANAHAN HIT back at some of the critics of the Waterford hurlers – particularly those within the county – in the wake of their epic draw against Kilkenny yesterday in Croke Park.

Waterford were in the firing line after shipping five goals in the Munster final when they crashed to a heavy defeat against Tipperary.

But they have rebounded wonderfully and yesterday’s display was a testament to their improvements.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win the game but (I’m) delighted we didn’t lose,” stated Shanahan.

“Let’s be honest no one gave us a chance coming up here, only the belief we had in the dressing-room. That hasn’t gone away. When you’re being criticised in your own county by a lot of your so-called greats.

“They’re entitled to their opinion, you don’t have to agree with it. A lot of talk about the sweeper system. People telling you how to sweep. Telling you how to play the game, we played the game to the best of our ability.

“You saw that today, the work-rate was unbelievable. It’s just disappointing we didn’t win but we didn’t lose.”

The 2007 Hurler of the Year is adamant that defeat to Tipperary was ‘a one-off’

“It was a one-off game where Tipp beat us with everything that day and it showed what Tipp can do. We put that to bed straight away like we put the Clare defeat to bed when we were there.

“It’s all about next week now, getting the recovery with the boys. We’ve been in that boat before, we had draws and came out and didn’t play the next day but, by God, we’ll play again next Saturday.”

Kilkenny's Colin Fennelly and Waterford's Noel Connors after the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Shanahan doesn’t buy any suggestions that Waterford have missed their chance to claim a major scalp ahead of Saturday’s replay in Thurles.

“No way lads, no, no. It’s a draw game. It’s a two horse race the next day, we’re involved. We just have to get better again and match them again.

“You can’t do any more, you couldn’t do any training this week. The boys are wrecked, in bits in there. And that’s fair enough.

“Get a good recovery in after this and back on the road for Tuesday night.”

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