Another failure for the Waterford hurlers to progress from Munster, but any green shoots may be hard to find given the Deise production line looks to be under serious pressure, according to former Limerick hurler Niall Moran.
After opening with a win and a draw against Cork and Tipperary respectively, Davy Fitzgerald's side looked well placed to make a mark in this year's championship, but that failure to see out the game against the Premier County proved costly by the end of the provincial business.
Defeats in the final two rounds against Clare and Limerick extinguished another disappointing campaign that began with a sizzling display in the early summer sunshine against the Rebels.
Had Davy Fitzgerald's side closed out against Tipperary when in a strong position in round two, the subsequent defeats would not have been so costly; they would have edged out the Rebels on the head-to-head.
As it is, the Deise hurlers will be operating in a watching brief only for the remainder of the championship.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Game On, Moran said that for Waterford supporters reflecting on the year – their only win in the Allianz Hurling League came against Offaly - there is a glass half-full or empty dilemma to consider.
"They definitely fluffed their lines against Tipperary coming down the home straight, up four points at home, and game sewn," he said.
"That ultimately would have been enough to see them through.
"With the league that they had, and the number of injuries they had, the performances in championship definitely exceeded expectations."
Moran says that while there is clearly talent at Fitzgerald’s disposal at present, he has concerns for what is coming through the county given their dire underage record in recent years.
Since 2015
Read more on rte.ie
rte.ie
