The smell of cut grass in the nostrils, with the sun finally showing itself over the past week, heralds the start of the various Munster hurling championships. The senior hurlers continue their preparations at SETU Arena ahead of their warm-weather training camp in Portugal over Easter.
Last week, manager Peter Queally had the opportunity to assess the strength in depth of his panel, with his second string getting a run-out against Wexford in a rearranged challenge game. The much-anticipated return of former Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson materialised, with the Mount Sion man showing plenty of promise in his 50 minutes or so of game time.
Joe Booth, James Power and Daniel Lalor were others to catch the eye in this low-key encounter. The availability of currently injured players Conor Prunty, Patrick Fitzgerald, Stephen Bennett, Iarlaith Daly and Peter Hogan is also sure to occupy the thoughts of the Waterford bainisteoir. The good news is that April 19th, the date for the trip to Ennis, is still some distance away, so hopefully the majority of the walking wounded will be ready for the opening round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.
The first team into the Munster hurling fray is the U20 side, who also travel to Clare (Sixmilebridge) next Wednesday at 7pm for their opening round game. James O’Connor and his management team are now in place for a three-year term, with the aim of building on the success of last season’s All-Ireland-winning minor (U17) team.
There is likely to be considerable change from the minor team of three years ago, with a number of “Joxer’s” young players set to be promoted. James Comerford, Conor Lynch, Hugo Quann and Shane Power are all in contention for starting places, while Bradley Penkert, Tommy Kennedy and Gearóid O’Shea- fresh from their schools’ All-Ireland victories – are also believed to be in the mix. O’Shea, who won the Man of the Match award in St Kieran’s Croke Cup victory on St Patrick’s Day, will surely get the nod for this crucial opener.
The U20s will, of course, include Fenor’s Seán Mackey, who has made such a positive start to his senior inter-county career in this season’s National Hurling League. Mark Hartley, Cathal O’Sullivan, Tom Ahearn (Ballyduff Upper) and David Comerford (St Molleran’s) all featured in the corresponding minor (U17) fixture three years ago and remain central to this U20 panel. Joe McDonnell has also come of age and is likely to man the pivotal centre-back position this Wednesday.
It is interesting to observe the evolution of the panel over the years, with very few remaining from that minor game at Fraher Field in 2023. Given the success of last year’s minor team, it is no surprise that a number of younger panel members are likely to see game time this week and throughout the championship.
It is remarkable that since the U21 All-Ireland win in 2016, Waterford at U20 (and previously U21) level have failed to win a single championship game (with the exception of victories over Kerry). That is not a case of failing to win a title or reach a final, but not securing a single win at this grade. If there are concerns about the depth of the current senior panel, the roots of the issue can be traced back to this barren period at U20 level, particularly in comparison to their Munster rivals.
Progress at U20 level is essential for the future of Waterford hurling, with many of those involved this Wednesday likely to feature at senior level in the near future. The addition of the All-Ireland minor medal winners should strengthen their prospects over the coming weeks.
James O’Connor and his management team will be hoping to lay the foundations for future success once again. Best of luck to all involved.
