Editor’s note: John Mullane is the brand ambassador for JJ Kavanagh & Sons and will be bringing his thoughts after all hurling Championship games!
So John, has the 2016 Munster Hurling Championship faired out as expected?
Yes it has. Outside of Waterford and Clare, which was 50/50 game, I think all the others have gone to plan results wise. Obviously it might have been expected that Tipperary would have beaten Limerick by more with the quality of hurlers that they have but the result was pretty much expected. In my opinion the Munster Championship has been fairly disappointing with one sided games. However, I’m very much hoping that the game on Sunday will lighten up nicely as the two best teams from Munster at the moment are in the final.
Over the Munster championship Derek McGrath has mentioned the term ‘work ethic’ and how Waterford have crafted this into the panel. He feels this supersede every other winning trait. Do you agree with this?
Yes I would, Derek McGrath is trying to build a similar ethos to what Brian Cody has built with Kilkenny. He wants to put his own stamp on this Waterford team which I feel he is succeeding in doing. There is serious team spirit in this Waterford team which is very similar to Kilkenny. The team is more like a club team that all fight for each other and battle it out until the very end. They have a high work rate and play the game with manic aggression. If Waterford continue to keep up this work rate everything else should fall into place for the rest of the championship and will hopefully lead onto more silverware.
Where will be the key battles on the field be next Sunday?
I think the midfield area will have key battles. Kevin Moran v Brendan Maher is a mouth watering match. Others such as Callanan v Barry Coughlin, Shane Bennett v Padraig Maher and Noelie Connors v John McGrath, who for me has been the find of the season.
These will be all huge battles that could win or lose this game for either county.
Where do you think the game will be won and lost?
The middle third, as I said, will be crucial without a doubt. Tipperary will try to mirror what Waterford do with Austin Gleeson and bring Noel McGrath out the field. I also feel that Bubbles was the winning of the game for Tipperary last year, he will be a huge loss this Sunday.
After that I think that the go to men for Waterford and Tipperary are Austin Gleeson and Seamus Callanan. Both will have major parts to play. If either of them perform to what they can, their team will without doubt be in with a shot of winning this game!
What’s your view on the change of venue for the match?
Twelve months ago I would have said that Waterford should have no fear and take them on in their own grounds. However, after losing to them last year in Thurles, I think the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick brings a level playing field. I think the tight pitch will suit Waterford’s game down to a tee!
What’s your verdict on this year’s Munster Hurling Final?
I firmly believe that Waterford need to win this to kickstart their success like the Waterford team of ’02 did when we beat Tipperary in the Munster Final. The team playing Tipperary Sunday are in a really good place at the minute and are a lot better equipped than the team who played Tipperary twelve months ago. I have to say that I’m very confident going in this final and think that Waterford will go the whole way. I’m predicting a scoreline and a win to Waterford of 1-21 to 1-17.
If you’re a Waterford Supporter join them and travel with JJ Kavanagh & Sons to Munster Hurling Final in Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday 10th July
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