For all the talk of a revolution, it's three of the same four teams we had last year that are left in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship.
Kilkenny may be gone but with Galway waltzing through Leinster, and Tipperary and now Waterord emerging from the qualifiers, it's worth asking if all that much has changed at all.
Today, Waterford always looked a little bit too strong for Davy Fitzgerald's Wexford team. A Kevin Moran goal in the last minute of the first half was a killer blow and after that, Wexford were always chasing.
WATCH:
A late goal sent @WaterfordGAA in at HT five points clear of @OfficialWexGAA in the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final! #WEXvWAT #GAAclips pic.twitter.com/CXOP80gBB8— eir Sport (@eirSport) July 23, 2017
One serious worry for Waterford was the late sending off of sweeper Tadhg de Búrca, who was again dominant today, meaning he will miss the semi final against either Galway or Cork.
The performance of Michael "Brick" Walsh in the first half garnered most of the early reaction. Brick rolled back the years to put in a huge performance that was the difference between the team in the first period.
Brick Walsh has been responsible for 5 of Waterford's 8 points through scoring, assisting, and winning frees. Lording it
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) July 23, 2017
Brick Walsh surely equalling the national GDP in terms of winning frees today.
— Enda McEvoy (@EndaEndamac95) July 23, 2017
Brick Walsh putting on a masterclass so far #WatvWex Waterford on top. Really up for this
— Milo Foley (@mickeyflew) July 23, 2017
Brick Walsh. Brain and brawn. Brilliant player for years and years in all positions. #waterford #wexvwat #SundayGame
— Jamie O’Keeffe (@jamieokeeffe73) July 23, 2017
Tadhg de Búrca's red card will have a massive impact on Waterford's season going forward, though there was a lot of dispute as to whether of not the his touching of a faceguard was worthy of a red card.
Brick Walsh. Brain and brawn. Brilliant player for years and years in all positions. #waterford #wexvwat #SundayGame
— Jamie O’Keeffe (@jamieokeeffe73) July 23, 2017
John mullane is going mad on the radio over de burca's red! 😂😂😂
— Niall Mulvihill (Niall Ó Maolmhichíl) (@Mulz1984) July 23, 2017
Love McGrath, "Classic Arsene Wenger now, I haven't seen it." - anyone see what de Búrca did? #GAA
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) July 23, 2017
No wonder players get frustrated when ref fails to protect them. DeBurca red carded for tangling. Ref is disgraceful
— Mike Bourke (@MikePBourke) July 23, 2017
Harsh on de Burca. Hope it gets overturned.
— Brendan Bugler (@brendanbugler) July 23, 2017
#SundayGame needs to properly analyse straight red for de Burca. "Interfering with helmet" as he was clattered/hung out of? Joke. #wexvwat
— Jamie O’Keeffe (@jamieokeeffe73) July 23, 2017
No way was that a red card. So wrong if a player misses an all Ireland semi final over that. Poor decision #wexvwat #gaa #gaaqualifiers
— Seánie Tobin (@Tellytobin) July 23, 2017
From Wexford's point of view, their season faded after their first win over Kilkenny since 2004. While not disgracing themselves in either the Leinster Final or today, they never built on that win and still have a distance to travel in Davy Fitzgerald's second season.
All over, deserved Déise win, 1-23 to 1-19, hope our neighbours go all the way now. Massive thanks to our players & managment. Next year!!
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) July 23, 2017
6 points down...less than 10 mins left...now would be a good time to stop playing that sweeper Wexford. Take a chance. Push on. #WatvWex
— Shane McGrath (@Shaneytweet) July 23, 2017
Waterford lose their sweeper with 7 minutes to go...Wexford allow another sweeper to take his place!!Now have 2 spare men out the field!!
— Stephen Mc Namara (@stephenmc13) July 23, 2017
Most of all, we'll miss Davy Fitz in his box.
David fitz head gear ...looks like he's either working for a formula 1 team or is about to work some plant hire .. #earmuff #🎧 pic.twitter.com/yOm5ThOMkV
— Eamonn O’ Hara (@EamonnOHara8) July 23, 2017
