Interprovincial SH Final:There's a real danger in sport that the more obsessive you become about winning, the more success feels like destiny, and the more likely you are to fail, but the Waterford hurlers are prepared to take their chances.
After coming painfully close to this year's All-Ireland final, and touching the void of the 48 years since their last title, their only thoughts now are about next year, about giving it one more go.
Manager Justin McCarthy has already signed up for another season, and according to defender Eoin Murphy, every one of the Waterford players are thinking the same way.
"The will is there to go again, definitely," says Murphy.
"Every year when we finish up short we're written off, by supporters, the media, the pundits, saying that was our year. But I've been listening to that now since 2005. And again in 2006, and sure this year we came very close.
"But the majority of this team will be there again next year. We know it's close. I can nearly smell it. We've been in contact with each other, and we feel we have to reap the harvest while the players are there. I remember during the 1990s, and walking out of first round matches in Thurles, very disappointed."
Murphy made his senior debut back in 2001, in the Munster semi-final, when Waterford famously blew a huge lead to allow Limerick sneak an unlikely win. Since then he's endured more heartbreak and joy, and yet all that has only strengthened his determination to carry on for another year.
Even the more seasoned players like Ken McGrath and Tony Browne feel the same way.
"We have to be realistic as well," adds Murphy, "and just try to do the best with the players we have. But I do think this is a great bunch of players, one of our strongest panels, and getting stronger every year. It's about the 20 players now. We're very close, and definitely we'll leave no stone unturned again next year."
Murphy was speaking ahead of Saturday's M Donnelly Interprovincial final in Croke Park, where he'll line out for Munster in the hurling final against Connacht, alongside several Waterford team-mates, including John Mullane, Michael Walsh, Eoin Kelly and Dan Shanahan.
"I was lucky to play with Munster two years ago, in Boston, when we beat Leinster, and it was a great experience. Of course there's great rivalry when you're playing against the counties, but when you put on the Munster jersey it's a different scene, and we all bonded very well."
There is, however, a real concern that Saturday's finals will be completely lost in the vastness of Croke Park, especially with ticket sales so slow, and yet Murphy is behind the latest idea to boast the flagging competition.
"There is that fear that Croke Park is too big for this," he admits, "but unless you try it, you'll never know. Personally, and for all the players, it's great that the event is in Croke Park. And playing under lights makes it special as well, and hopefully the supporters will get in behind it.
"And for me, to be asked to play for Munster was a huge honour. And I know other players on the team, like Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, John Gardiner and Dan Shanahan are all mad to play.
"The enthusiasm is there from those players. Maybe they pushed it back a small bit with regards to timing, because the club scene is still taking precedence right now. But this medal would mean a lot to me, and I know it would for the other Waterford players as well."
ULSTER (v Munster Interprovincial SF final): James Reilly (Cavan); Barry Owens (Fermanagh), Kevin McCloy (Derry), Karl Lacey (Donegal); Ciarán McKeever (Armagh), Conor Gormley (Tyrone) capt, Kevin Cassidy (Donegal); Owen Lennon (Monaghan), Dan Gordon (Down); Dick Clerkin (Monaghan), Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Paul Finlay (Monaghan); Thomas Freeman (Monaghan), Paddy Bradley (Derry), Enda Muldoon (Derry). Subs: Paul Durkin (Donegal), Shane Goan (Fermanagh), Barry Monaghan (Donegal), Dessie Moen (Monaghan), Justin Crozier (Antrim), Ambrose Rodgers (Down), Christy Toye (Donegal), Colm McFadden (Donegal), Stevie McDonnell (Armagh), Gerard Pierson (Cavan).
