Jackie Tyrrell likes this Waterford team. He wouldn't mind his sister bringing one of them home. They'd probably have a nice chat while Tyrrell sips on a cup of tea and the Deise man a protein shake.
That's also a problem he was with Derek McGrath's side - he believes they're too nice, unable to do the nitty, gritty things that get teams over the line in big games. Tyrell thinks Waterford lack some 'dirt'.
In his Irish Times column today, the nine-time All-Ireland winner has a few tips for Waterford. He feels they need to add an 'intimidation factor' - the type of on-field characteristics that might make a mother wary about the young man dating her daughter.
Waterford take on Cork this weekend in the Munster semi-final. After their surprise win against Tipp, Cork are on a high. Tyrrell feels Waterford need to give them a reality check - Austin Gleeson and Co. need to burst the Rebel balloon and bring them crashing back down to earth.
Whatever Waterford defenders are marking Shane Kingston and Luke Meade on Sunday, they should be letting them know they don’t belong on this stage, right from the handshake. Be relentless. Put the doubts in their minds from very early on. Ye all played great the last day – how likely is it that ye’ll all do the same again? Don’t let them settle into it. First ball, second ball.
If the physical approach doesn't work, Tyrrell feels a little bit of good-natured trash-talk aimed at the callow Cork team might do the trick.
Verbalise it, if you think it will work. Tell them they’re only young lads who should be up in the stand. Ask them how they got on in Maths Paper One during the week. Drill it into them that what they got against Tipperary wasn’t how this thing works. This is man’s stuff, come back in two or three years. You think we’re a nice team? Not this year.
