Dan Shanahan: Cork aggression gap gives Waterford edge

Dan Shanahan feels Cork lack a "small bit of aggression" as the Munster Championship clash with Waterford looms this afternoon.

The Rebels visit Walsh Park (Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1) as they try to avoid an early exit from the competition having lost two from two so far.

Speaking on The Championship, Waterford great Shanahan said that if his county can equal the aggression levels Cork muster, then it will be a victory for Liam Cahill's Allianz League winners.

"They play to a system that they trust. The one thing I think when you play Cork, they lack a small bit of aggression in the tackle," he said.

"They don't seem to come out with the ball but other teams, when you mix it with Cork they seem to wither a small bit.

"I don't like saying that either because they could come out on Sunday and really tear into Waterford which I expect them to do anyway.

"But if Waterford can match that intensity from Cork, I do think they will come out on top."

While Shanahan feels Sunday's venue may not be perfectly suited to Waterford's approach, he still expects them to have the edge.

"It's a great game for Waterford to go into because Cork aren't playing well at the moment," said Shanahan, who was a selector under Derek McGrath.

"They've had three weeks to prepare for this. The three-week break was very important for Liam and his players. The break will do them good.

"But I think it's a massive game. Walsh Park, it doesn't suit the Waterford style of hurling but we haven't been beaten in Walsh Park since Liam has come in.

"Waterford are in a good place, have a home game with a massive crowd definitely, weather is going to be dry, what a place to be on Sunday."

Describing the Walsh Park playing surface as "unbelievable", Shanahan