The Big Match coverage comes with thanks to George Corbett Skoda.
Waterford get their Allianz National League campaign underway on Sunday when they take on Carlow in their Division 1B opener at Netwatch Cullen Park.
It's a first competitive game in charge of the Deise for new manager Peter Queally. Waterford will be looking for promotion from Division 1B this season following last year's relegation.
Former Deise manager Michael Ryan is urging fans to be patient with the players and new manager Peter Queally.
"I'm delighted that they dropped down because I think the panel of players they have at the moment probably aren't ready to play in the top division - so I think they'll benefit from that. There probably won't be as much pressure as the standard won't be as high and they get a chance to blood fellas and get a chance to try different players. I think that's going to work for them certainly - and to be honest about it we've never come out of the round-robin system in Munster. Regardless of who has been the manager or who's been in charge - so that's a big test in itself because in reality, the All-Ireland Championship is now almost the Munster Championship."
"I know people in Kilkenny wouldn't like to hear that nor would people in Galway", continued Ryan - "but the top teams are in Munster and the winners are coming through and there's only a five-week period where you play four games. That doesn't suit Waterford because we don't have the panel of players to play probably every week or on an odd week off even. That suits the bigger counties like Cork and Limerick and Clare and Tipperary who've got bigger panels of players. It's just something we've got to deal with and get over with."
Ryan believes that this management team have all the credentials to bring about memorable days for Waterford hurling fans.
"I'm delighted that Peter's in charge because I think he's a really honest guy and I think the Waterford team in the Championship will reflect Peter Queally. The way he played the game himself, very successful as a manager, the last man to win a championship outside of Ballygunner - successful career as well in Cork and in management and a really good guy. Dan Shanahan is back and Dan will bring something to it as well - he's a good coach and he's a good track record and I'm even more delighted for Eoin Kelly, because I would know Eoin through the times I was managing Mullinahone in Tipperary. He's a really good guy in the dressing room. I hope we'll see more of him because surely as one of the greatest forwards that ever played the game he must have something to contribute as a coach. Shane O'Sullivan is back as well and he's involved in the mental preparation, so overall I think we have a nice package going there."
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The Big Match coverage comes with thanks to George Corbett Skoda.
