WATERFORD MANAGER DEREK McGrath insisted that he’s not targeting promotion despite last night’s impressive start to life in Division 1B.
The visiting Déise claimed a draw against Limerick as Paudie Prendergast slammed over an equalising point in the second minute of stoppage time.
But Waterford were unlucky not to make a winning start after leading by four points on six occasions.
It was an impressive display from McGrath’s charges, relegated last year from Division 1A.
But he insisted: “Our aim is to get one of those top four spots in the League.
If we can do that and get to a quarter-final, we’ll be very very happy. The coffers might be suffering but we’re not too hellbent on gaining promotion.
“Obviously it would be a massive boost if we could gain promotion but we’re just aiming for one of the top four slots and get into a quarter-final. This team needs that. We’ll take it game by game.”
Waterford showed plenty of fight against the hosts at the Gaelic Grounds – responding to a David Reidy’s second penalty goal in the 48th minute to kick three points clear again.
Limerick hit back to lead by two but Waterford, again, had answers when they were needed.
McGrath added: “We played well – very happy in terms of how much work we have done, fitness work.
“But I would point out that we started with four U21s and finished with six.
Our intention is to stick with these guys and if the result had not gone our way, or we’d been hammered, we’d have gone with the same personnel next week.
Meanwhile, Limerick boss TJ Ryan insists that the 2013 Munster champions still have their promotion destiny in their own hands ahead of next weekend’s visit to Antrim.
This is Limerick’s fifth season outside of the top flight and Ryan wants to make the jump to Division 1A.
And he said: “If you asked me at half-time, we were under pressure but when we went ahead, you’d like to have stayed on and won it.
Destiny still in our own hands – we have to drive on and win the rest of our games.
Ryan admitted: “We weren’t winning much ball in the forwards – a lot of ball going back but sometimes when you get a goal early, maybe you don’t kick on.
“At half-time we had a few words and rectified it and in fairness, I thought the second half performance was pretty good.”
