Jack Neville: Styles clash as Waterford look to take on Limerick at their own game

A previous saying goes, “everybody desires to be diamonds, however, few are prepared to get minimize,” and this sentiment will apply to Liam Cahill’s Waterford try and cease the Limerick juggernaut within the All-Eire semi-final this Saturday.

Up towards the Deise will probably be John Kiely’s assortment of prized rocks who’re aiming to turn into the primary ever Limerick facet to retain their title

With two wins from two, the Shannonsiders are half approach in the direction of that goal.

Limerick has been just about the usual bearers in hurling since their ascension to a primary All-Eire title in 45 years in 2018.

Since then it has been a case of different making an attempt to repeat the fashion perfected by John Kiely and Paul Kinnek.

The large work rate has to turn into the norm with the total ahead lines now the undisputed first type of defense and defenders anticipated to make their mark on the scoreboard.

Possession is king and Limerick is hardly ever prepared to half with it.

This Saturday, the Deise will current their case because the staff most able to upsetting Limerick and can come to Croke Park as arguably one of the best staff suited to taking down the Treaty.

In his maiden yr in cost, Waterford picked up a primary championship victory three years earlier than ultimately reaching Munster and All-Eire finals.

And whereas they failed to achieve the provincial decider this time period, the Deise are extra rounded staff in 2021.

After successive wins over Laois, Galway, and Tipperary, Cahill’s males have a transparent system to their gameplan, one which mirrors that of Limerick.

Shaun O’Brien’s save on John McGrath within the dying moments of the Tipperary conflict is one which Nickie Quaid has to turn into famed for in recent times.

In entrance of him is a teak robust trio with Conor Prunty the shape full again within the nation.

On the different finish of the sphere, Austin Gleeson is able to profitable it any approach as is Aaron Gillane whereas Dessie Hutchinson’s motion is arguably unrivaled, his Limerick counterparts included.

Nonetheless, it’s within the center third the place the groups are most comparable, with an enormous emphasis on profitable the breakdown battle.

Cahill’s half-back line is way modified with Calum Lyons the one constant. The Ballyduff Decrease flyer is now partnered by Bennett brothers Kieran and Shane with each retreating into defense after profitable spells within the forwards.

Lyons is the closest factor to Kyle Hayes you could possibly get with the duo revolutionizing how wing-backs are judged.

Kieran Bennett is extra akin to Diarmuid Byrnes with each able to lengthy vary scores, as is Shane who has taken with ease to center-back.

In midfield, Jamie Barron is the heartbeat of the Waterford facet and his battle with Will O’Donoghhue will probably be essential. The Fourmilewater man might have grabbed his third All-Star in 2020 however towards O’Donoghue he was hardly ever seen with the Na Piarsaigh native dominating each contest.

Equally to Barron, Cian Lynch is the person to make it tick for Limerick, with the 2018 Hurler of the Yr poised for one more particular person accolade if he continues his present type. At 11, Lynch is sort of unmarkable along with his reverse man on Saturday, Jack  Prendergast afforded equal freedom for Cahill.

And in Tom Morrissey, Gearoid Hegarty, Stephen Bennett, and Jack Fagan, you may have 4 prototype wing forwards, as able to profitable main possession as they’re discovering the goal.

Limerick is the staff to beat but when anybody is to face toe to toe with Kiely’s facet, it’s the males from Waterford.