Only a short number of weeks ago, Waterford were on top of the world after a late smash and grab against Limerick in the Munster Semi Final. This writer, not a particularly good loser in any walk of life, was devastated, disgusted, and inconsolable. The theory being that qualification for the Munster final by virtue of closing out a tight game, would stand Limerick in greater stead than any qualifier route, and that Donal O’Grady had finally rid Limerick of the age old curse of not closing out tight games.

Even Limerick’s greatest wins in hurling history have been built upon squeaky bum time moments, as the clock ticked down and various teams down through the years almost tried their best to blow the victory. The 1980 Munster Final being a classic example. O’Grady intimated on ‘The Sunday Game’, that his preference would also have been to go through the front door and his disappointment was obvious. Time however is a great healer, and Davy Fitz of Sixmilebridge in County Clare might ponder the ‘what ifs?’ in relation to the dire consequences of John Mullane’s late winner in that game. Without question, Waterford would have won the games that Limerick have come through. Would Limerick have taken a similar hiding as Waterford in the Munster final? Preferably not, though a heavy defeat seems likely.

Waterford cannot but enter this Sunday’s quarter final against Galway in a fragile state of mind, their only consolation being that their opponents carry more baggage than an average Irish politician and his wife on a long haul junket to some part of the world. The naïve defence of Waterford against Kevin Downes, signposted what might arise in the Munster Final. In his championship games to date, Downes has gained a lot of possession away from goal near the sidelines in either the right corner forward, or left corner forward positions. Waterford left him saunter in for goals unopposed, but Wexford and Antrim in subsequent games whipped Downes down at source, out on the sideline, unconcerned about frees or yellow cards.

Lar Corbett scored 4-4 last Sunday, but the talk this week is about how much of that could have been prevented with a ruthless cynical and streetwise approach. Would either of the Lohans in their prime have allowed Corbett make the 40-yard dashes to receive the pin-point passes? He might not have been held scoreless, but he wouldn’t have scored 4-4. If Corbett’s run was stalled for only two seconds, the whole move goes out of synch - like the timing of an engine.

Many believe that there are two ways to throw the Tipperary gameplan out of synch (a) Focus on the delivery, putting pressure on the striker, and (b) Stall the receiver. Teams need to create situations where, instead of winning the ball first time, Lar Corbett overruns the pass, or through pressure further up the field the delivery is forced and therefore overhit or underhit. It’s the second game in a year where Waterford have tried to outmanoeuvre Tipperary tactically and have been blown out of the water.

The one saving grace that Waterford can cling to with their fingertips is that Galway have never beaten Waterford in championship hurling. For some strange reason, as with Kerry vs Down in football last year, the ‘Biddy Earley’ thing is more relevant in the GAA than it should be, but it’s what makes our games the way they are. In their most recent championship joust two years ago, Galway had winning momentum coming into the game, were in control throughout game but blew it in the dying minutes after the introduction of Dan Shanahan for a brief few moments. An injury to Shane Kavanagh had finally allowed Portumna’s Eugene McEntee to claim the full back shirt and he did nothing out of place, and seemed to be offering a lot of vocal leadership until the entry of Dan. Dan touched the sliotar twice in those moments, and it cost Galway the game. It’s a defeat that haunted Galway, and stalled their progress, perhaps through last year and into the Dublin game this year, and it’s really only at this juncture that they can say they have recovered somewhat. However, that defeat to Dublin is again only a few short weeks ago, and they cannot take any run for granted. Galway have strengthened personnel wise since the Dublin game.

On all known form, one would have to say that Galway should be winning this game convincingly, given their current discovery of form, but they could do anything ... from turning up thinking the game has been won beforehand... to freezing on the day, .... to blowing the game when it appears won.

Waterford, on the other hand, have nothing to lose and as said by Paul Flynn on TV last week, should abandon the complex tactics that have not worked, and just go out onto the field and hurl with abandon. If there is any pride in Waterford there will surely be a kickback in them this weekend. If they were facing anyone other than Galway, they wouldn’t even have a chance, but of the six teams remaining in the championship, Galway are precisely the team that Waterford would want to face in these circumstances.

It would help if they picked their best players in their best positions. It may well be the time to re-introduce Eoin Kelly, restore the Brick Walsh to his natural midfield habitat, and if fit, recall Aidan Kearney to the full back position where he handled Joe Canning well two years ago. Galway have the forwards to wreak havoc like Tipperary did, but they do not play with the same application, method or teamwork. There are six forwards that play as part of a Tipperary team, whereas the Galway forwards often play more like individuals. That makes it easier to defend against them and has to make the Waterford defensive job that easier.

Verdict: Galway