Waterford are through to the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final, after seeing off Cork on a scoreline of 4-19 to 0-20.
The Déise were full value for their win, after trumping the Rebels in the majority of individual battles all over the field. It was neck and neck up until the sending off of Damien Cahalane, before Waterford raced clear.
It is apparent that Derek McGrath has instilled a culture of trying to win every single battle on the field.
During the game, rival selectors Dan Shanahan and Diarmuid O’Sullivan engaged on the field, and the referee had to talk to them.
Speaking after the game, the former Déise forward explained how he wasn’t willing to give an inch.
“It was a bit like our playing days… To get these things, you have to try and win every battle. There was no harm. It was just tit-for-tat.
“I’ve the utmost respect for the man [Diarmuid O’Sullivan]. He was doing his job, I was doing my job. He was watching his players, I was watching my players.
“That’s the way it’s always been with me and Sully, and with everyone.
“I shake hands with all the Cork players, I wish them the best before matches. I shook Sully’s hand the last day they beat us in the Munster Championship.”
Shanahan went on to reveal what the referee told them after the altercation.
“‘Any more of that and the two of ye will be up in the stand!’ The officials are probably saying that to me all the time anyway!
“Derek, behind me, is roaring for me to get on the field, and the fourth official is roaring at me to get off the field! It’s wicked hard, there were 72,000 there today. It’s very hard to get your points across!”
Waterford now march onto the All-Ireland final in three weeks time, where they will take on League and Leinster champions, Galway.
Read More About: Cork, dan shanahan, diarmuid o'sullivan, GAA, Hurling, waterford
