Waterford fans have suffered for too long; Gaelic Gossip

PAUL Flynn doesn't subscribe to the theory that Waterford are in the All-Ireland semi-final under false pretences.

That, says the county's top scorer, is the view of begrudging sceptics.

"We are playing within the rules, we don't make them," says Flynn of the two-year experiment which enables the beaten finalists in Munster and Leinster to re-enter the competition by defeating the champions of Ulster and Connacht.

"Tipperary took advantage last year and we're just doing the same. I know a lot of people feel that teams like Galway and Antrim get a raw deal because of this innovation. But that's how things are - and I have to say I don't feel the least bit sorry for them."

Flynn is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the country's top forwards. Today he has the chance to confirm it. The 23-year-old corner man, who plays his club hurling with Ballygunner, knows the feeling of success and failure at this stage of the championship, albeit at a slightly lower level.

He has savoured All-Ireland success once already, with the Waterford Under-21s, but twice he stumbled on the glory trail, with the Under-21s and the minors, after winning Munster medals.

Flynn has played a pivotal role as Cork man Ger McCarthy has restored pride in the Waterford jersey, steering them to the league final in the spring and within 90 minutes of an All-Ireland Final three months later.

But what has happened to awaken the sleeping giants of hurling in a decade when they have done nothing to suggest they would become such a major force?

Says Flynn (above): "Waterford club hurling is as good as you will get anywhere. But, for some unknown reason, our potential has not been realised at the inter-county grade.

"Why 1998 has seen the re-emergence of Waterford at senior level is not easy to explain. I think it's just that we got off to a good start in the league, and with each win our confidence grew.

"We felt we should have been beaten Clare in the Munster Final on the first day. But they showed the determination that won two of the last three All-Ireland titles. After the sendings-off in the replay we lost our shape and their halfbacks began to dominate.

"But we got back on track by beating Galway, and now we must grab our chance with both hands.

"Kilkenny are Leinster champions, however, and they will be tough. Their forwards are outstanding and any one of them could be a matchwinner.

"For us guys like Tony Browne in midfield, Fergal Hartley at centre back and Ken McGrath at centre forward are most likely to catch the eye.

"Waterford supporters have suffered for far too long and now it's payback time. We want to win this for them and set up the chance of a third championship crack at Clare."

-BARRY GILL

WATERFORD manager Ger McCarthy reckons: "The way I see it, this is a 50-50 game and - though I doubt if it has ever happened before - a second draw in the All-Ireland semi-finals wouldn't be out of the question.

"Leinster champions Kilkenny are an excellent team and in D J Carey, Charlie Carter and P J Delaney they possess three of the very best forwards in the game.

"That being so, it's fairly clear that our defence will need to be on top form. They have done well all season and I believe I can rely on another sterling performance from them.

"Waterford is a great hurling county that doesn't have the recent success they deserve to go with their tradition.

"It's amazing the interest there is in this match. Hundreds of people have been turning up for training sessions and there is an incredible buzz throughout the county.

"There's a lot of goodwill towards the team and that will have got through to the players, who will give their all to repay the faith of the supporters."

KILKENNY manager Kevin Fennelly says: "We're feeling reasonably confident about reaching the All-Ireland Final, even though I would have to say that, on recent form, Waterford would seem to have the slight edge over us.

"They have been a revelation this year in both the league and the championship, and much of that is down to the contribution of Ger McCarthy. He's a good friend of mine, as indeed are his three selectors, and they have worked very hard to instil a new belief in these Waterford players. The difference that has made is there for all to see.

"Their strength is definitely in their halfback line, while our forwards hold the key to our prospects of reaching the final.

"We have prepared well enough. We've been a little unfortunate in that, up until two weeks ago, we have had more than our share of injury problems this year.

"But we have been able to pick from a near full-strength panel - so if we're beaten we will have no excuses to offer."

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