WATERFORD LEGEND KEN McGrath says it’s “nearly a bit sad” that people from the Déise seem “half-happy” despite shipping a 13-point defeat to Cork in the Munster SHC.
Páraic Fanning’s side continued to struggle in the competition over the weekend, shipping their fourth defeat in as many games.
Speaking after the loss to the defending provincial champions, McGrath remarked that people in the county seemed to be satisfied with the “pride” that was shown by the players.
But he added that the expectations in Waterford should be higher.
“It’s strange,” he said on the Sunday Game.
“You hear people saying ‘at least the team showed pride and a bit of heart.’ But that should be a given when you put on the Waterford jersey.
I think it’s nearly a bit sad that we got beat by 13 points and people are half-happy down in Waterford that we had 100% commitment, which the boys did show. That should be a given every day you put on that jersey.
“This isn’t all Páraic Fanning’s fault by any means. We’ve won four out of 20 Munster championship games in the last nine years. If that happened in Tipperary or Cork there’d be uproar.
Ken McGrath finds it 'sad' that some Waterford people were 'half-happy' after the display against Cork pic.twitter.com/ta447JXA0r
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 9, 2019
“We loved playing Cork and you’re going up and getting beat by 13 points and you’re kind of like ‘I don’t know where we are.’”
McGrath went on to state that Waterford’s problems extend to underage level too, and while he says he’s not calling for a change of management, he stresses that addressing structures could be the key to unlocking their potential again.
“I just can’t see it changing very fast. We’re winning very little games at underage. We didn’t win a game at minor again this year, I think it’s two wins since we last won minor in 2013.
“We’re under a bit of pressure big time and something needs to happen. I’m not talking about a change of management.
I’m talking about structures at underage and find out where it’s going wrong – how are we not getting the quality player that will make a difference at inter-county level?
“That’s the big question really [and] how are we going to get that back? Right now we’re averaging a loss of around 13 points in the championship this year. I think our average loss last year was eight points.
“This is happening going back a few years as well. There’s a perception out there that we were very successful the last 10 years [but] we haven’t won a Munster championship since 2010 so I don’t know where the success is.”
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04:06 here in Canada. Come on Ireland!
Silly Mask
I like your mask
Just watched the whole thing in mute on a tiny screen in work and it was still fucking FANTASTIC
18.40 in tokyo , cmon Ireland
fantastic match and result….
red arrow all you like but do WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH GEORGE HOOK???????? god i can’t STAND that man. Talk about loving your own opinion…………. .. ok rant over LOL
Kingston, Jamaica calling! It’s 4.23 here…COME ON IRELAND!
well done to all involved
The best 4AM start EVER :) Lets start from here!!
Come on Ireland keep at it ..you can do this …Is Donal Lenihan the most mournful commentator you have ever heard..he is depressing me…Optimist Donal ..think positive ..you are upsetting me I have had to change channels …..
Score for Ireland YES
Drop goal for Sexton …imagine what OGara could do were he on the field!
(Would you guess I am an OGara fan)
George Hook is an awful tool!
Match commentary and panel much better on ITV can’t stick RTE any more
wooooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
God it could have been a real hammering if sexton got his game together, but at least we won Well done lads!!
Whoop whoop whoop!!!!
Ireland keeping Aus in the game with stupid penalties
And by leaving Sexton on the pitch
As much as it pains me to say it we need Sexton’s defense
Orsome !!!!!!!!!!
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Great reports. Really enjoying them
"Neil and the lads …" – You’re dead to us!
Rugby is a game of Inches, Clawing there way back to regain there lost respect from recent times, The squad representing these Four Proud Provinces, Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, throw Caution to the four winds Like the Four provinces, With every try we shall Rise like a swell in the Ocian to give strength to our brothers as they clash with the world. PS! Ask Hook what country dose he come from.