Doing things the Déise way: Waterford craving All-Ireland camogie success

Sean Power has spoken about not wasting energy swimming against the tide. Waterford is a passionate sporting county, insanely so when it comes to Gaelic games and people are desperate for success.

Hype has been blamed for the failure of the county's senior hurlers to get over the line in All-Ireland finals and semi-finals in the past 15 to 20 years. Too many interviews, thronged open nights, the outstanding local media’s wall-to-wall coverage seeping through.

But that’s Waterford. And the players and management are Waterford. They know the score. The modern game demands a structure and game plans but at their best, they are free-styling within that, off the cuff, producing moments of brilliance that take the breath away. Revelling in the freedom of expression.

And mingling with their own is part of that. It’s also imperative for growing camogie in a county that has flourished at all levels in the past decade.

Power has navigated this type of landscape successfully on two occasions previously, as manager of the Déise’s All-Ireland-winning U21 and minor teams. He prefers to embrace what should be an enjoyable part of qualifying for a final. And it is clear that the players love that.

Clodagh Carroll recalls being in Croke Park seven years ago with another of her team-mates today, fellow Gailltír woman, Annie Fitzgerald.

"I first heard Waterford were coming when they won the Intermediate in 2015," said Carroll. "I was up there watching it with Annie Fitz, Shauna Fitz and the girls. I think I was only U14 at that stage but even just seeing those girls. The likes of Beth [Carton], [Lorraine] Bray and all the girls like [current selector] Shona Curran, that would spur you on.

"They say you can’t achieve it if you are not seeing it