Waterford started in such a flurry that my prediction concerning their sharpness after a six-week break took a nosedive. But like against Galway, Clare started to wear down Waterford and put pressure on them, writes Eamonn Cregan, Hurling analyst

Again, Waterford were playing to a set plan, moving the ball wide and quickly.

But they needed their key players to perform and Sean McMahon had complete control of Ken McGrath and when he moved he found it hard to get into the rhythm of the game and shot a couple of demoralising wides in the second half.

Tony Browne played in fits and starts and Paul Flynn faded. However, there's too much expected of Ken McGrath. He is one of the top forwards in the game but all the hype affects a player, especially in an inexperienced team.

At the start everything went over the bar from Waterford but bit by bit Clare subdued them physically and mentally and they're now in an All-Ireland final - deservedly, because they were far better yesterday.

All credit to them. Once they had survived the difficult opening period they ground it out. McMahon was superb. As well as dominating his position, he hit a couple of great 65s in the first half, as they cut back the lead.

There were some critical moments at this time in the game. At one stage Mullane and Prendergast were both going for the same ball. Unfortunately for Waterford it was Prendergast who took it on rather than Mullane who might have flicked it into the net.

Before the match I was talking to someone about the Galway footballers and how they had suffered as provincial champions because of the long break. I still think that had something to do with yesterday. I believe the championship structure will have to be looked at because at the moment provincial champions are being penalised.

Clare had also played the pitch before, which was another advantage. I think that there are still questions about its suitability as a hurling pitch.

It's hard for players to keep their footing and the bounce of the ball is definitely different than on a traditional pitch. I don't know what can be done at this stage but it should be reassessed when the season is over.

Waterford started hurling as well as they had done against Tipperary but the score went from 0-7 to 0-2, 0-7 to 0-3, 0-7 to 0-4, 0-7 to 0-5. I was surprised Flynn went for the goal from that free at that stage but Waterford needed the break because Clare were starting to dominate and their forwards were beginning to move.

Instead of being lifted by the score Waterford ended up conceding a goal themselves and trailing by a point at half-time - and I'd say were glad to get to the interval. It was like being saved by the bell. They needed to regroup and recover.

I was a bit surprised that Justin McCarthy didn't try Seamus Prendergast at centre forward a bit earlier because something needed to be done to break Sean McMahon's stranglehold. But nothing worked.

Twenty four minutes into the second half, Clare had scored four points and Waterford two and in that period Waterford showed their inexperience. Certain players began to try and do it themselves. Waterford needed leaders but it didn't happen for them. They were trying harder and harder but nothing was going right.

For example, at the end when Paul Flynn was running in from the endline. He had two players inside but tried to do too much on his own and lost possession. And even at that stage Clare people were worried. The ones in front of me were biting their nails.

But the plan for the second half didn't work.

Waterford kept playing the right corner but by then Clare were prepared. Frank Lohan had started to read Mullane's ability to get to the ball and played in front of him for the second half. Beside him his brother Brian won nearly everything that came his way as the match wore on and had an outstanding second half.

So Waterford's frustration grew. You could see them talking among themselves. Mullane was throwing his hands up because other players weren't picking each other out but playing individually.

Clare were also able to bring in Ollie Baker, who has been a great impact sub for the team. He brings strength and experience at vital times in matches.

When you compare yesterday with the Munster final, the difference is clear. Waterford's performance was hardly 60 per cent of that against Tipp. Then they played the wings and wide all the time and the middle players played in the middle. That broke down yesterday as they lost composure.

For instance, when a team gets a free 70 or 80 metres out, the big danger is in front of goal but the number of times that such frees ended up with Frank Lohan in the corner was marked. He either won the ball or stopped it and Clare had the advantage in the scramble that followed.

You couldn't say Clare's attack functioned well but they did get good scores at critical times. Alan Markham got 1-1 before the break, Jamesie got the points that kept them in touch early on, David Forde got vital scores near the end - taking on his man, turning him and taking the point. And although he had a terrible day with his shooting, Niall Gilligan created plenty of opportunities and upped his work-rate.

Limerick played Clare in a league quarter-final back in April and you certainly wouldn't have picked them as All-Ireland finalists that day. I suppose, though, they have great experience and know that they are giving it one final shot.

You could tell from the joy after they beat Galway how much it meant to them to be within 70 minutes of an All-Ireland final. Now they're there. They may have scraped through matches and they're certainly not going to win an All-Ireland without improvement. But they can do it.