The Waterford minor hurlers can book their place in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship Final on Friday night.
James O’Connor’s side play host to Clare at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field for a 7pm throw-in – in what has become a Munster semi-final in effect.
Both sides go into the game with four points under their belts – and having lost to Cork last time out, Waterford will now play for the right to gain revenge upon the Rebels in the provincial decider.
O’Connor was disappointed with the result in Pairc Ui Rinn on Friday last – but is calling on his Waterford minor players to offer the perfect response when The Banner come to town.
“Look – if we come out against Clare and we win, we’re in a Munster Final. We’re exactly where we want to be. All is not lost yet. There’s still a great chance to get into a Munster Final here. Maybe this is the kick in the backside that we need now, just to reset things. Guys can believe hype too after winning two Munster Championship matches. They maybe think that they’re untouchable. Unfortunately, at this grade, in Munster, there’s no one untouchable.”
“It’ll be the same for Cork”, he continued. “They’ll be in a Munster Final now – but I’m telling you, I wouldn’t mind facing them again in three or four weeks’ time. In order to do that, we have to win on Friday night. They’re young lads, they’re still learning the trade and I just hope this is the kick we need to balloon us on now again to the next level.”
Waterford are guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series regardless of what result comes to fruition on Friday night, but O’Connor is relishing a potential crack at provincial silverware. He’s issued a rallying cry to Deise supporters to get out in droves and drive on the next generation.
“I’ve no doubt we’ll turn up in Fraher Field Friday night and it’ll be all guns blazing again. The goal at the start of the year was to get into a Munster Final. So now here’s the chance. Here’s a semi-final. We must do it now. We must produce it. I’ve a lot of belief in the lads – I still believe that when the gun is put to the head, I think there’s going to be a big performance in this team on Friday night. I’d be very disappointed if there wouldn’t be. I’m hoping for a huge crowd again. We need these lads to get over the line. We need every point, every puck, every hook, every block and every supporter in the Fraher Field on Friday night. That’s what we need. I’m praying everyone will turn up.”
