GAELIC GAMES:Waterford are a coming team but won't be able to deal with Tipperary's old heads on young shoulders, writes NICKY ENGLISH

TIPPERARY HEAD into tomorrow’s Munster final as clear favourites – and rightly so – but also acutely aware that Waterford will take some beating. In fact, history will serve as a reminder and a warning to Declan Ryan’s team that Waterford through the years have a tendency to rise to the occasion in provincial finals when facing the current All-Ireland champions: it happened in 2002 and, further back, in 1963.

That Waterford win of 2002 is obviously the more noteworthy one in terms of tomorrow’s match because a number of their players who were so impressive that day will again be important players: John Mullane was in the early stages of his career and showed signs of the greatness that he has gone on to, and Tony Browne was also outstanding.

So, there is a genuine throwback with Mullane and Browne going as well as ever, particularly so in Mullane’s case.

Waterford traditionally play in a cavalier fashion – as that day in 2002 exemplified, even if they failed to take that form with them on to Croke Park – but, under Davy Fitzgerald’s management, they’ve become somewhat less cavalier and more workmanlike. Certainly, Waterford won’t lack for effort. They always work extremely hard and really reflect Fitzgerald’s mantra.

It’s a big call by Fitzgerald to bring in Jerome Maher into the defence, although nobody can be entirely surprised that change was needed. Wayne Hutchinson had a torrid time on Kevin Downes in the match against Limerick. Any time Limerick got the ball around the Waterford full-back line they caused real trouble. Only the Waterford players and Fitzgerald know how Maher has been going in training but it is a big step to introduce him, particularly if he is going to have to play on Lar Corbett.

Michael “Brick” Walsh had to move back to full-back in that Limerick game and he is a player Waterford possibly need in too many positions. Ideally, you’d love to have him playing further out than in defence but he has been quite outstanding for them at centre half back. In the past, he has consistently had trouble with Noel McGrath exploiting Brick’s tendency not to man mark.

I also think Waterford introduced some really good young forwards the last day: Paudie O’Mahony was really impressive against Limerick, an excellent player, and Brian O’Sullivan was also good. But the forwards are light and young and I think a fine day in Cork would suit them more than the conditions in the Limerick match.

Although Waterford are the reigning Munster champions, they are a team in transition and, going forward, are going to be around for a while. But the impression is still there that they are relatively young and inexperienced against a young Tipperary team but who are quite experienced.

Tipperary have massive scoring potential. It’s been well-documented they experienced some defensive frailties against Clare and Cork, particularly on the right hand side. I think John O’Keeffe’s move to wing back suits him best, although he is possibly a more natural number seven than a number five, and this is a chance for him to make his name and possibly his last chance in this campaign because Brendan Maher is a certain starter when he is right.

The Tipperary forward line is absolutely on fire these days and they are also interchangeable, so you can have Corbett, John O’Brien, Eoin Kelly and Noel McGrath switching and changing. They have fantastic skills and have great physiques as well, with Bonnar Maher really important and Séamus Callanan is really back to form and is now fulfilling the promise he showed a number of years ago.

The Tipperary defence has been under the spotlight and that is probably a good calling card for Declan Ryan to get his defence to come out and improve on their last couple of games. One concern I have with Tipperary is they have been playing in bursts and not consistently over the 70 minutes. Against Clare, for instance, they allowed them into too big a lead; if that happened against Waterford, they would be more difficult to pin back. In those circumstances, you could see a repeat of 2002.

However, in the last couple of years Tipperary have improved as the season has gone on and I see that trend recurring. With the Waterford changes at full back and the fact they seem light – albeit very talented – in attack, I think it is hard to look beyond Tipperary winning.

But I expect a high level of talent and skills and a really entertaining game. I think Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a beautiful venue when the players are out on the pitch. The off-pitch facilities for both spectators and players are not up to current standards, but the pitch is gorgeous and it is still a great amphitheatre in which to play hurling.

The All-Ireland qualifying matches are more difficult to call. Take Galway-Cork. If you were asked two weeks ago who’d win, you would have had no hesitation in saying Cork. In the meantime, Clare have fallen badly to Galway, who looked impressive.

You just wonder how much that was down to Clare? I think Cork have shown the better form all year. They were solid during the league and, although I didn’t see the match against Offaly, based on the result it couldn’t have been a good performance. But Galway were poor against Dublin and, although they looked to have improved against Clare, I still have my doubts: maybe they are timing their run well and getting ready to rock, but if Cork turn up with the form they showed against Tipperary, then Cork will win.

Limerick face an awkward match against Antrim in Parnell Park. I actually thought Limerick had a chance of beating Cork if the draw had gone that way – but Antrim burst Dublin’s balloon at this stage last year and will be difficult opposition. Still, I see Limerick as an improving outfit and I expect them to come through.

Waterford are a coming team but won’t be able to deal with Tipperary’s old heads on young shoulders