Waterford can cash in if Wexford fail to take chances

All-Ireland SHC quarter-final
Premier Sports, 3pm Sunday

Waterford arrive in the new Pairc Ui Chaoimh following their first victory over Kilkenny since 1959, and the Deise men can be full of confidence taking on their south-eastern neighbours.

Twelve months ago, these sides met at the same stage of the championship, with Waterford running out easy ten-point winners in a game that was dominated by sweepers, and they will be hoping to put in a similar performance. This Wexford team, however, are a completely different proposition.

The introduction of Davy Fitzgerald has clearly had a massive effect and their win over the Cats in Wexford Park will live long in the memory of fans.

Wexford hurling is on a huge upward curve at the moment, with Davy Fitz building on Liam Dunne’s fantastic groundwork, while stars such as Conor McDonald, Jack Guiney and Lee Chin have shown their class this year.

That win over Kilkenny led Wexford to a first Leinster final since 2008, but they will be disappointed they didn’t do themselves justice on the day.

While they tried hard throughout, spurned opportunities before half-time and a missed penalty just after the break proved to be costly and it showed that you must take your chances against better opposition. Unfortunately for Wexford, that could be the case again today.

Waterford were widely expected to beat Cork when they met in the Munster semi-final, but too many marquee players failed to perform and perhaps the two-month break following the league was the reason.

Cork have since proved they are a force to be reckoned with, taking the Munster Championship in fine style, so it may be worth forgiving Waterford that blip.

Since then, Waterford have bounced back to form with a 24-point victory over Offaly and a hugely impressive extra-time win over Kilkenny.

That felt like a coming-of-age performance for a Waterford team who have promised so much, and today could be the perfect stepping stone towards another All Ireland semi-final.

Austin Gleeson, 2016 Hurler of the Year, had a slow start to the 2017 championship, with a disappointing display against Cork, but the Mount Sion man has now settled at centre-forward. He was instrumental in their win over Kilkenny, notching five points from play and producing a stunning assist for Jamie Barron’s extra time goal.

Gleeson seems to have found his form at the right time and if he is to be picked up by Matthew O’Hanlon, it will be a fascinating battle.

O’Hanlon kept Joe Canning extremely quiet in the Leinster final, but Galway were content to keep the ball away from Canning, and that put huge pressure on the rest of the Wexford backline.

While Wexford will want to keep tabs on Gleeson, they cannot do so at the risk of exposing their frailties in defence and that may lead to Gleeson finding space around the middle.

Waterford have serious aspirations of winning an All-Ireland and for that to happen, marquee players Tadgh De Burca, Jamie Barron and Gleeson will be key.

The trio were immense in that win over Kilkenny and if they, along with others, carry that form into this clash then it could be a tough day for Wexford all over the park.

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