Where’s Aidan Walsh and Austin Gleeson?
‘The league is the league’, as the saying goes, but there is no escaping that Waterford’s under-the-radar approach to 2015 has been blown away after their Allianz title success last month.
Derek McGrath’s side are not just potential All-Ireland winners, but can be considered the side with the most momentum coming into Championship.
Pauric Mahony’s loss is incalculable, but we’ll get to see on Sunday how his team-mates cope in his absence as they face Cork in the Munster Championship.
Ahead of the game we’re looking to see what players from either side would fit into a combined XV that would compete with the best in Ireland.
Goalkeeper
Anthony Nash
Hard to argue that he’s not the best goalkeeper in Ireland at the moment. Stephen O’Keefe won’t have many complaints.
Right corner-back
Shane O’Neill
Cork’s defence is far from their strong point but O’Neill has been better than most of his colleagues. A natural fit in the corner.
Full-back
Noel Connors
The name that comes up time and time again when players are asked who’s the toughest marker they’ve faced. Comfortable in the corner too.
Left corner-back
Shane Fives
Waterford’s defensive stability is down to workrate and talented individuals. Very rarely beaten and has the edge over Stephen McDonnell.
Right half-back
Brian Murphy
We might be cheating here slightly but the returning Corkman is a serious addition to any defence. Experience and a wonderful hurling brain. Gets the better of Austin Gleeson by virtue of his CV.
Centre-back
Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh
The best No 6 in Ireland and the most natural leader you could ask for.
Left half-back
Philip Mahony
He has returned from double leg break better than ever. Key part of McGrath’s defensive structure and gets the nod ahead of Cormac Murphy.
Midfield
Daniel Kearney and Kevin Moran
Aiden Walsh’s alarming loss of form since the loss to Tipperary last season means his teammate gets the nod. The Waterford captain has led from the front with McGrath’s style and is one of the country’s finest and fittest players.
Right wing-forward
Pauric Mahoney
The first name on a team-sheet. Sad to think we won’t see him in the Championship this season, the crowd hums every time he gets the ball.
Centre-forward
Seamus Harnedy
Another for whom injury could rob for at least a part of the Championship, the Youghal man is worth at least 0-3 every game. A firm favouite of JBM’s and the Cork public. In our traditional line-up he takes the No 11 jersey but can almost play anywhere up front.
Left half-forward
Conor Lehane
One of the most talented hurlers around and the chief link man for the Rebels. Equally as talented as Mahony on the other wing with just the right amount of Cork arrogance.
Right corner-forward
Maurice Shanahan
Will take ball any way it is put into him with a wonderful touch. Always a willing outlet and just beats Jake Dillon and Pa Cronin for a role in the team.
Full-forward
Patrick Horgan
Hits double figures every time he features,a wonderful hurler, who is not only deadly from placed balls but is unselfish as well.
Left-corner forward
Stephen Bennett
Alan Cadogan can feel hard done by but Bennett has taken the form that marked him as an outstanding minor and made the step-up to senior.
If the team were to line out on Sunday as a combined XV it might look something like this:
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