Not many men can say they’ve won two All-Ireland’s as a manager. Even fewer if the men are from Waterford – but Sean Power is more than content to be among the anomaly.

Sean Power guided the Deise to a first minor title in 65 years back in 2013 – on a famous day which saw the Deise back climbing the steps of the famed Hogan Stand. Three years later, the trick was repeated as an under-21 crown came back to Suirside – the shot in the arm that Waterford hurling needed.

Nine years on, Waterford hurling calls for a catalyst and the minors again answer the call – showing capability in abundance to battle their way to the cusp of underage immortality.

James O’Connor and his management team have worked with this group since they were 14 years old. There were many tough days and demoralising defeats along the way, but they’ve all formed part of the journey to Saturday. Few are better placed to analyse how well placed Waterford might be than Power – and he is full of praise for how ‘Joxer’ and his colleagues have gone about their business.

“James and his management team will be well aware of the fact that what they’ve done to this point in the year – has gotten them to this stage”, said the All-Ireland winning boss. “Everything that they’ve done up to now, they’ve done it right. Ideally, this week would be no different to the previous weeks – it’s the same lead in as it would’ve been to the Cork, Limerick and Kilkenny games. That’s the way management will be approaching this week – and it’s the right way to do it.”

Managing the sense of occasion is easier said than done, but focusing on the task at hand is the most important element of all. What’s the key for Power? Don’t treat it any differently.

8 September 2013; Waterford captain Kevin Daly leads his team-mates on their lap of honor with the cup after the game. Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship Final, Galway v Waterford, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE

“What you want is you want a player to go and play the game, be prepared and ready for the game and what he needs to do in the game and that’s what they need to focus on”, said Power. “That’ll ensure that what the players will do is focus on the game and what we need to do to beat Clare. That’s the important thing – and if you can manage expectations around the occasion correctly and get the players to focus, primarily on the game and the ball and what they need to do – then they’ll be well placed to get the required result.”

O’Connor has at times quipped that his players may well be ‘playing within themselves’ – and the semi-final victory was the most compelling evidence yet that this team can climb to even greater heights. Those sentiments are ones which Power doesn’t hesitate to second.

“Do I think there’s more in them – funnily enough, I actually do”, he explained. “I’ve been discussing this with some friends that are close to the set up and when you see the capability within the group, the skill levels, the fitness levels, the unity – we haven’t seen the half of it yet from them”, Power outlined.

“We saw an incredible performance from them against Kilkenny, getting closer to the peak of what they can do. I saw them play a challenge match earlier in the year and they played a very reputable hurling county – they destroyed them. Destroyed them”, he emphasised. “They have that capability within them, and I would hope that we would see something along the lines of the Kilkenny performance and maybe a little bit more even this coming Saturday.”

So, what it’s like to win an All-Ireland? It’s the question on everyone in Waterford’s lips.

“It’s special – I’ve been very very lucky in my life to have done it twice. It meant the world to me and it will mean the world to the lads on Saturday. I hope that the team and management can perform in the way that they should be confident enough to perform, push themselves to the very limit – and we’ll see where it lands us.”

Where it lands us remains to be seen – but we can hardly wait to find out.

WLR will bring you the game LIVE this Saturday thanks to George Corbett Cupra – join Kieran O’Connor and Sean Power for LIVE commentary from 5pm.

Our coverage will begin at 3-5pm – you can join Jordan Norris and our all-star panel LIVE from the Thurles Sarsfields GAA Grounds from 3-5pm thanks to Clem Jacob Hire.

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.