Crowd the defence all you like, this man doesn’t care.
If Conor Whelan has proven anything this season, it is that he’s up for the challenge. He’s got skill and ability of course but, Christ, the young fella is game.
He has that dog in him that you need to operate on the sort of level he’s operating on. Talent will take you so far but a bit of dog sets you apart. Are you up for the fight? Are you ready to get stuck in, roll up the sleeves and get your hands dirty? Are you willing to take the hits and the knocks, take the unlucky breaks and laugh them off so you can go even harder after the next ball?
Galway’s Conor Whelan is.
The soon-to-be Young Hurler of the Year has helped propel the Tribesmen this season and, against Tipperary in the semi-final, he ran bloody riot.
The Kinvara club man hit four points in their narrow win over the champions the last day out but it was one particular score that stood out and one which he could definitely repeat in the decider on Sunday – he might have to with that Waterford defence.
It’s no secret that the Deise are going to swarm the backline. Everyone knows that any breaks are going to be gobbled up by Tadhg De Búrca so winning first-time ball is a must in the decider.
But Whelan has already given a glimpse that he is well able for it.
In the semi-final, Joseph Cooney drilled a ball straight into the full forward line where Whelan was completely isolated.
Look at the predicament Whelan finds himself in as the ball comes in.
As the sliotar bounces in front of the Galway forward, Whelan literally has a man hanging off him, surrounded by blue jerseys.
He shakes off one man though and lines up another.
He powers through to work an inch of space and let fly.
But he lets fly high and over the block with genius improvisation.
Whelan can win ball first time, he can shake off men jumping on his back, he can break second tackles and he can score with no space to work with.
He’s ready for Waterford – he’s never not been ready for any challenge a hurling game has thrown up for him.
If he can score in a scenario like this under extreme mental and physical pressure…
He can score anywhere. He can score in an All-Ireland final and lead Galway home.
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