Tactical Take
Waterford
Since his appointment Derek McGrath has developed a sweeper system that has paid dividends for his side. The defensive set-up has come in for sustained criticism from hurling purists but it has been effective and McGrath certainly won’t change it at this juncture.
Tadhg de Burca, suspended for the semi-final, returns to the sweeper role with Darragh Fives a candidate to track Galway dangerman Joe Canning.
Elsewhere, Noel Connors and Barry Coughlan look likely to shadow the dangerous front pair Conor Whelan and Conor Cooney.
At the other end of the field, the Deise have tended to ignore their full-forward line and blaze in shots from distance. Pauric Mahoney has led the way in the scoring stakes with 39 points while Maurice Shanahan will be used as an impact sub once again.
Galway
MANAGER Micheal Donoghue has used Joe Canning in a centre half-forward role this year behind his front two of Whelan and Cooney.
At the back, Daithi Burke has been the defensive lynchpin at full-back and ahead of him Gearoid McInerney’s mobility and intuitive reading of the game have been impressive throughout this campaign.
Oranmore clubman McInerney is the son of Gerry McInerney who won two All-Irelands in the 1980s and he could be the man used to pick up Waterford dangerman Austin Gleeson.
The Tribesmen have come up against a sweeper system repeatedly this season and have had no problem matching it with Aidan Harte fitting seamlessly into a roving role in defence.
Men of the moment
Joe Canning (Galway)
ARGUABLY the best player never to have won a Celtic Cross, the Portumna maestro is now 29 and, let’s face it, the clock is ticking.
But Canning has lost none of his sparkle. Playing at centre half/forward he has been in sublime form this season, notching nine points against Dublin, seven against Offaly, 10 against Wexford and 0-11 in the semi-final against Tipp and his breath-taking last gasp winner in that game will go down as one of hurling’s greatest scores.
If he finds his ‘A’ game tomorrow, Canning can finally end his nine-year wait and snare an All-Ireland title.
Austin Gleeson (Waterford)
THE sublimely-gifted Gleeson is perhaps lucky to be playing after an alleged faceguard infraction against Cork’s Luke Meade in the semi-final win.
The reigning Hurler of the Year is big, strong and has all the skills.
Capable of jaw-dropping moments of brilliance, Gleeson will be stationed in the half-forward line and he can’t afford to go off the boil tomorrow because Waterford will need him at his best. After a quiet (by his standards) start to the season he has improved with every Championship game and could be the match-winner tomorrow.
Key battle
Joe Canning (Galway) v Tadgh de Burca (Waterford)
WATERFORD will believe that if they can keep Canning quiet they can win this game.
That may sound like a straightforward equation but Canning has been wrong-footing defenders from U8 blitzes to All-Ireland finals throughout his career and he will fancy his chances of getting the better of de Burca tomorrow.
The Deise defender was shown a red card in the quarter-final victory over Wexford for deliberately interfering with the helmet of Harry Kehoe and his absence was used as a motivating factor in the semi-final win over Cork.
The Clashmore-Kinsalebeg clubman returns for the big one but he’ll need a calm head to keep Canning quiet. The Galway star is quick and strong and needs half-a-yard of space to split the posts.
Whoever wins this battle could win the war.
Paths to the final
Galway
Leinster SHC quarter-final: Galway 2-28 Dublin 1-17
Leinster semi-final: Galway 0-33 Offaly 1-11
Leinster final: Galway 0-29 Wexford 1-17
All-Ireland semi-final: Galway 0-22 Tipperary 1-18
Waterford
Munster semi-final: Waterford 1-15 Cork 0-23
All-Ireland Qualifiers round one: Waterford 1-35 Offaly 0-14
All-Ireland Qualifiers round two: Waterford 4-23 Kilkenny 2-22 (AET)
All-Ireland quarter-final: Waterford 1-23 Wexford 1-19
All-Ireland semi-final: Waterford 4-19 Cork 0-20
Last 10 Championships meetings
2011, All-Ireland quarter-final: Waterford 2-23 Galway 2-13
2009, All-Ireland quarter-final: Waterford 1-16 Galway 0-18
2006, All-Ireland qualifiers: Waterford 1-25 Galway 2-20
1998, All-Ireland quarter-final: Waterford 1-20 Galway 1-10
1966, Munster championship: Waterford 2-16 Galway 1-9
1960, Munster championship: Waterford 9-8 Galway 4-8
1959, Munster championship: Waterford 7-11 Galway 0-8
1957, All-Ireland semi-final: Waterford 4-12 Galway 0-11
1948, All-Ireland semi-final: Waterford 3-7 Galway 1-6
1938, All-Ireland semi-final: Waterford 4-8 Galway 3-1
Last Championship meeting
All-Ireland quarter-final 2011: Waterford 2-23 Galway 2-13
SHANE Walsh led the way with 1-4 from play and the Deise faithful sang a redemption song after the Davey Fitzgerald-managed side powered past the Tribesmen to reach an All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny.
Their win was impressive in light of the fact that, just a couple of weeks’ earlier, Tipperary had handed Waterford a 7-19 to 0-19 beating in Munster.
“We went out and showed what we are really about,” he said.
“I am just delighted for the boys. It’s nothing to do with me; it’s the boys who went out on the field and did the business. They played with heart and courage and hats off to them.”
Weather Watch
The chances of a bit of precipitation are a whopping 90 per cent, so bring a coat, or an umbrella, or both.
Who’s the ref?
Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)
This is the Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams clubman’s first All-Ireland final at senior level.
He took charge of the minor decider back in 2014 has had a busy 2017.
Horgan officiated in the Munster decider between Cork and Limerick, the Leinster semi-final between Wexford and Kilkenny and the All-Ireland quarter-final between Kilkenny and Waterford.
Betting box
Galway 8/15
Waterford 9/4
Draw 10/1
