1. Tipperary’s defensive steel
WATERFORD’S DEFENSIVE SYSTEM has been discussed a lot over the past couple of years, but under Michael Ryan Tipperary’s back line has developed a real mean edge. They conceded an average of 20.1 points per game during the league, but things have improved since.
In their two championship games to date, Tipperary shipped 0-13 and 1-16 against Cork and Limerick respectively. In the semi-final win over Limerick, Tipperary played 56 minutes with 14 men and Limerick bagged a consolation goal in the 72nd minute.
This is a Premier side moulded in the shape of their manager, who was a teak tough defender in his day. Tipperary’s stomach for the fight has been questioned in recent campaigns, but the manner of their win with 14 men over Limerick indicates that any perceived mental vulnerability has left them. There’s a steel associated with this team now.
Ryan’s starting XV is very settled, especially from numbers 1-9. Cathal Barrett has developed into a real leader at the back. In Michael Breen, Tippeary have a genuine box-to-box midfielder in the mould of Michael Fennelly, while Brendan Maher likes to stay at home and allow his younger team-mate to bomb forward.
2. Absence of ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer in Tipp’s attack
Tipperary must be credited for the manner by which they shrugged off John O’Dwyer’s red card after 14 minutes the last day out. They didn’t allow the absence of one of their star forwards to faze them and a savage work-rate in attack made up for the numerical disadvantage.
To head into such a monumental game with one of his lead attackers is a loss for Ryan, especially against a team as tactically aware as Waterford. But often times the absence of a talisman can galvanize a team as fringe players assume the mantle of responsibility.
Tipperary have enough talent in their forward unit to compensate for O’Dwyer’s absence with Séamus Callanan, Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher, Noel McGrath and John McGrath all potent finishers.
3. Time for Waterford to deliver
There comes a time in every team’s development when they must take the next step. Winning the Munster title would confirm Waterford’s arrival on the big stage and bode well for their chances of achieving further glory in September.
Shane Bennett, Patrick Curran and Austin Gleeson have all been progressing nicely and, just like in 2013 when Tony Kelly, Podge Collins and Colm Galvin picked up their first All-Stars as Clare annexed the All-Ireland, the stage is set for for the Deise trio to do the same.
In Year 2 of Jim McGuinness’s tenure over Donegal, they progressed the game plan and tweaked it to offer something more in attack. Waterford have similar showed signs of tactical growth in Derek McGrath’s second year in charge.
Waterford showed their winning mentality in the manner they closed out the game against Clare in the semi-final. Now comes the litmus test. It’s time to prove they’re here to stay.
4. Impact of the venue
For only the third time since 1996, the Munster hurling final is headed for the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Semple Stadium was the venue when these two sides contested last year’s final, but Waterford were eager not to concede home advantage for a second time in 12 months.
Losing to Tipperary at Semple last year certainly influenced Waterford’s decision. Tipperary have already played two championship games at their home venue this summer, winning both comfortably, whereas last year they were coming off 16 point win over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
The downside is that both sets of supporters have a longer distance to travel. The absence of Hawkeye in the Limerick venue means the GAA could really do without any scoring controversies in a season of high profile mishaps.
