Déise football boss Ephie Fitzgeald is really enjoying working with his current crop of players as they gear up for Saturday evening's huge challenge.
Meath are the visitors to Fraher Field for the 2nd round of the Tailteann Cup. Waterford suffered a 2-14 to 1-6 defeat to Down in Newry last weekend despite an excellent start which included a wonder solo goal from Conor Murray.
Fitzgerald has made two changes ahead of this evening's tussle against the Royals, Ben Kirwan replaces Aaron Beresford between the posts as the Déise continued to rotate the number one position while Jason Gleeson who has re-joined the panel in recent weeks is in for his first start at the edge of the square. The Rathgormack man got on the scoresheet last weekend.
The Waterford Senior Football Team to play Meath in Saturday's Rd 2 of the Tailteann Cup has been announced!
Best of luck to Manager Ephie, the management team, Captain Dermot and all the players.
Waterford 🆚 Meath
🗓️ Sat 20th May 2023
📌Fraher Field, Dungarvan
🕚 6:30PM pic.twitter.com/m0vt9HYkWF— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) May 19, 2023
Fitzgerald heaped praise on his charges for the effort and application that the squad have shown, the Cork native was speaking on last night's "Lár Na Páirce" programme; "I would not swap this bunch I swear, they really are absolutely fabulous, could we be better? Yeah of course we can, can we get better, yeah and there are things that need to be done of course there are but from the point of view of commitment and attitude, now I'd have know from being with Waterford briefly before (when Tom McGlinchey was manager), I'd have know Brian Looby who is playing the best football of his career, I'd know these lads so I know the character".
Colm O' Rourke's Royals will be hotly fancied to make it back to back wins this weekend after they had eleven points to spare over Tipperary in Round 1. The Déise boss is well aware of the challenge they face; "They're obviously used to playing in Division 2 football which is a big step up, would be a huge step up for us in terms of say the levels they're playing at and the physicality of it but something we're looking forward to. It's a good challenge for us and as I say where else would you want to be on a Saturday night only in Fraher Field at half past six challenging yourself against what would be one seen as the powerhouses of football".
Throw-in is at 6:30pm, we'll have live updates here on WLR courtesy of Gavin Whelan.
LISTEN BACK to the full piece with Ephie Fitzgerald here;
