7. Waterford
Let’s be honest: the draw has been favourable to Waterford.
Cork will be backed to win their Munster semi-final, but Liam Cahill will be happy he doesn’t have to negotiate a quarter-final, or play heavyweights Limerick or Tipp on the first day out.
The 2018 and 2019 seasons under Derek McGrath and Paraic Fanning respectively were hugely disappointing, yet there seemed to be signs of improvement during the league. W
ins over Cork (after a disastrous start), Westmeath and Galway may have been tempered by defeats to the Treaty and the Premier, but the application was there.
Should Cahill find Austin Gleeson’s best position โ which may not be centre-back if you were to base it on the Tipp loss alone โ get Dessie Hutchinson up to speed, bring the best from Patrick Curran, and keep Jamie Barron on the ball for 70 minutes, then there is the bones of a serious team.
It is, however, a big ask to come from two winless seasons to the head of the pack. Not as far away from making an impact as some might suggest.
