Derek McGrath expects Waterford to 'light up Walsh Park'
Thursday 2 May 2019 17:56, UK
Ex-Waterford manager Derek McGrath expects his former side to thrive in the environs of their home stadium Walsh Park.
The Déise did not enjoy any games at the venue last year and instead played their home matches at the Semple Stadium and the Gaelic Grounds - as the Waterford City Stadium was not deemed suitable.
However, this year, the 2017 All-Ireland finalists fought for home advantage and McGrath feels it could provide the team with a major bounce.
"There's so much emotion gone into the decision, I'd expect Waterford to light up Walsh Park," he said.
"Regardless of how they play or who they play, they're in their home town. They've fought for that. When you fight for something, you try to produce, generally.
"There is a buzz about the decision, the upgrading of Walsh Park, and the emotion that went into the decision last year."
Waterford host Clare on Sunday week, in their first championship game at the ground since 1996.
"I came on as a sub in 1996 in the championship against Tipperary, one of my only two fleeting championship appearances for Waterford," McGrath laughed. "A packed Walsh Park is different."
The De La Salle club man expects his native county to thrive in the narrow confines of the venue.
"I think the tightness will suit Waterford in that they'll be able to be very cohesive in their defensive unit," he added. The six of them will be able to be very close together.
"It's very hard for an opposition team to create space in Walsh Park when a team is honed, trained as they will be under Paraic [Fanning].
"I saw the dimensions of Parnell Park were mentioned by Nicky English a few weeks ago, I said to myself - 'Walsh Park is definitely smaller' - it's very, very hard to create space there.
"Clare love to create space, they love to come deep and do it. I don't see Waterford falling into that trap and following them if you like. I see them remaining cohesive and keeping that six together.
"The only team that are capable of mixing it up against Waterford in Walsh Park are Limerick because they might throw [Gearóid] Hegarty in on the edge of the square with Gillane - they can mix it and they can go long with Seamie Flanagan too."
McGrath, of all managers, knows the pitfalls of losing the first game under the new format.
"It's hugely important. The first game gives you momentum," he said. "If you look at our first game last year, we went to Ennis and were beaten comprehensively. We lost a number of key players in the game, it's very hard [to claw it back], things just spiral."
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