The former Sunday Game presenter Michael Lyster has backed Waterford to have a real chance of winning this Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kilkenny.
The Deise meet the Cats on Saturday in Croke Park to decide who takes the first spot in the showpiece game on December 13th.
Kilkenny were beaten finalists last year succumbing to the power of pace of Tipperary, but their recent Leinster final success has reminded people why you can't count Cody out. Two quickfire goals turned their game with Galway on its head and before the Tribesmen knew it, their Leinster hopes were over thanks to some Richie Hogan and TJ Reid brilliance.
Speaking to WLR Sport, the former Sunday Game presenter (and a man with allegiances to both Waterford and Galway) Michael Lyster says that Liam Cahill and his charges are going into this knockout game with a strong chance of taking the plaudits.
"These kinds of encounters have gone one way, because for a period there Kilkenny were simply unbeatable in hurling and everybody suffered more or less the same fate against them. Those days have gone at the moment anyway in terms of the hurling set up, so things are a bit more even going into this one, and when I say 'more even', I would give Waterford a huge chance in this. I like the way Waterford are playing and I like the way Liam Cahill is progressing the county and his setup. Kilkenny, obviously they can't be dismissed - at your peril will you dismiss them, but they're not the force they were 5 or 10 years ago"
Having kept on top of the Championship so far and seeing what all the teams have to offer, Lyster believes that Waterford are well primed to pull out a win over Kilkenny. Liam Cahill has instilled a work rate and doggedness about the Waterford team which only Limerick have managed to control thus far - holding Waterford to four points.
"Looking at this one, I would tip Waterford marginally in this. Galway should have beaten Kilkenny. The fact that they didn't beat Kilkenny is another story, but they were five points up midway through the second half and playing well, and then they managed to get spilled. Lets put it this way Kilkenny will know in their own minds that everything isn't necessarily perfect in their camp - now for sure, that will drive Cody forward and no better man to see the weaknesses and see where they came up short, so they will be better than that the next day. I think if Waterford play their game with the kind of structure they have in the setup and put that template into play, then they give themselves a real good chance"
Michael Lyster spoke to Nigel ahead of the Semi-Final and you can hear the full interview as well as all the On The Ball content at "On The Ball with Nigel Kelly" on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61l7XwyPHW1qsfugrlIJTF?si=pwnXTq-OSdG56Y3j6k9Aeg
