WATERFORD BOSS DEREK McGrath is determined to stop the Déise goal drought from becoming a millstone around their necks.
The reigning league champions had three wins and a draw from their five games in Division 1A — but only managed to raise one green flag.
They drew a blank again in the quarter-finals but still had enough to beat Wexford, setting up a last-four clash against Limerick in Thurles this Sunday (2pm).
“I won’t say it’s a damning stat but it’s not one we want to have associated with us,” McGrath admitted.
“What we’re trying to manage now is the talk about it, that it doesn’t become ingrained in our approach. We love to hit the net the same as any other team but we’re trying to get the balance right so that while being conscious of it, it doesn’t become a burdening factor.
We’re happy to win games in whatever manner is possible. We’re working to hit the net but we’re not going to promise any radical change in meeting that end.
“We’re like any management. We’re encouraging the lads that when they get the chance, to take on their man.
“But, look, we don’t want to over-emphasise it and hope it comes in a natural flow. It’s like if you say to guys before matches, ‘Don’t give away frees,’ and then there is a tendency not to tackle.
“We wouldn’t be happy with it [the lack of goals] but we’re not stressing it too much in the group. It’s about being as positive as we can.”
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