The vast majority of interested onlookers expect Limerick to life the Liam McCarthy on Sunday afternoon, but you suspect that Waterford won't mind entering the final as underdogs.
Liam Cahill's side were written off right from the beginning of 2020, only to go on and put together a sensational run in the championship.
They have played some exhilarating hurling along the way. Their second half performance against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final was arguably the best best 35 minutes we have seen from any team this year, blowing Brian Cody's side out of the water with their pace of play and ruthlessness in scoring positions.
Stephen Bennett has been central to all good things Waterford do. He has notched a remarkable personal tally of 1-44 in their four championship matches thus far, including 1-10 in the win over Kilkenny.
What an incredible run and score this was from Stephen Bennett for @WaterfordGAA! #GAANOW will be at Croke Park to bring more in-game clips and highlights straight to your screens as Waterford v Limerick this Sunday! https://t.co/4cnl9gQ49Z pic.twitter.com/PtPOguwbH6
— The GAA (@officialgaa) December 11, 2020
His performance have put him firmly in the Hurler of the Year conversation and his team will require another big performance out of him on Sunday if they are to upset the odds one more time.
Speaking about Bennett at Centra's launch of this year's All-Ireland hurling final programme, Wateford legend Paul Flynn said the Ballysaggart man has long been thought of as a potential star for the county, even going back to U14 level.
Stephen - there’s no secret about him – he’s been earmarked for this for the last six or seven years. Okay he had a few injuries, which he’s sorted. I read something there that he was giving out about the way he runs, but I wouldn’t be giving out too much about the way he runs, he’s a born finisher.
He goes through you rather than around you, he knows exactly when to hit, how to hit, what I mean by that, you won’t see him go for a 50-yard shot under pressure. He’ll move it closer, where he knows that he can only hit the ball 30 yards under pressure, then he’ll get into that 30-yeard zone.
I’ve watched him since he was U14 and I was lucky enough to be with him U21 as a selector, just he’s incredible. He has an instinct. Most things come off for him, he’s thriving this season and people are saying ‘he’s going to be a marked man’.
I think though that the way we’re playing, when a team gets the ball to a player who wants the ball – only good things can happen. I think by playing him centre forward actually has brought him into the zone more and I think Declan Hannon has a decision to make on Sunday, does he come out and mark him or sit back. It’s going to be fascinating.
I’m absolutely delighted for him. He’s shown that he’s on top of his game he’s as good as anyone in Munster, and please God show at the weekend that he can lead Waterford to an All-Ireland, wouldn’t that be great?
Former Waterford hurler, Paul Flynn, pictured today following the announcement that this year’s All-Ireland Hurling final match programme will be available to purchase from Centra stores in Limerick and Waterford.
If Bennett can carry this run of form into the final, you wouldn't back against Waterford ending their 61-year All-Ireland drought.
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