With plenty of doom and gloom ahead of their opening Munster championship game, Waterford's hopes of securing their first Championship win since 2018 were low.
Especially after their 5-19 to 0-9 defeat against Laois in the final round of the League, but the Déise men had other ideas. They defeated Tipperary 2-7 to 1-5, securing their first championship win against the 2020 Munster champions in 36 years thanks to 2-3 from Brickey Rangers man Tom O’Connell and a first win in Munster since 2010.
Shades of Shanahan/Flynn/Mullane/Kelly et al about two-goal Tom O'Connell today, and why not.
They called the Waterford hurlers showboaters 20 years ago. Great Entertainers more like. Crying out for them now.
Sport without charisma is merely exercise. #GAA
Photo by @kensutz pic.twitter.com/y0jXwgwy8e— Séamie Ó Chaoimh (@seamieochaoimh) April 7, 2024
Waterford were dealt a blow before the game when Nire man Dermot Ryan was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Speaking to RTÉ's Sunday Sport afterwards, manager Paul Shankey couldn't help but share his delight in how things unfolded in that second period.
"It's a brilliant result for the team and the group," the former All-Ireland winner with Meath said.
"In the first half, we were diabolical, to put it mildly, but it was a fabulous second half. We were a joy to watch. They drove it on right to the end and kept going against the wind. We are just delighted."
"The wind was difficult. Having the wind was not much of an advantage as it was such a swirling wind. We were really flat in the first half in terms of mistakes but in the second half the lads just relaxed and played the style they are able to play.
"We asked them to keep going and competing as best they can. I think playing against the wind nearly suits teams now because the ball can be held up. We knew there would be goal chances and if we got goals we felt we could win it. We scored two brilliant goals and created another goal chance.
"We'll have a great night. Dungarvan is a great town; the lads will celebrate, and we'll hook up during the week."
Waterford now have the opportunity to reach the Munster final when they play Clare once again in Fraher Field April 20th.
Waterford for Sam might be trending yet.
