Déise have nothing to lose but their hoodoos . . .Hoodoos have been, well, shadowing the Waterford senior hurling panel and management for almost half a century.
At least, that is, until recently.
John Mullane, Ken McGrath, Dan Shanahan and co have been working their own kind of magic of late, making years of excuses for the Déise redundant.
Ten excuses in fact (11 if you count the hoodoo hoodoo). We reckon the Waterford team have so far knocked six hoodoos for, ermm, six - with four left on the table.
And come the All-Ireland semi-final clash with the reigning champions, Cork, next weekend, there's an opportunity to put another one to bed.
Could it be 10 out of 10 before the season is over? Cork will have something to say about that next weekend.
Here's Waterford's "hoodoo watch" chart.
The Munster Championship hoodoo ...done
The All-Ireland Championship hoodoo ... not done
The Tipperary hoodoo ...done
The Tipperary in a Munster final hoodoo...done
The Kilkenny hoodoo...not done
The Cork hoodoo...done
The Cork in a Munster final hoodoo...done
The Croke Park hoodoo...done
The Favourites hoodoo...not done
The All-Ireland semi-final hoodoo...not done
Curve ball takes several new twists...
September Road has managed to get its hands on a sensational and top-secret photograph - taken, needless to say, at a secret location, regardless of risk, and by dint of extremely long lenses.
The photograph (right), taken at the weekend, is of a Cork official - who shall remain nameless - engaged in field testing of the prototype sliotar the Rebels plan to introduce to the action at judicious intervals during next Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford in Croke Park.
You don't believe us?
Okay then, just watch out for some bizarre movements by the sliotar on Sunday whenever Paul Flynn or John Mullane goes for goal.
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Waterford Hurling
We believe it could be significant that all we see in those two words is. . .
On Rightful Reward
Quote of the Weekend: "He hit a slap on someone's privates, which happens 10 times in very match. If that deserves a four-week suspension then it's time to wise up." - Donegal's Brian McIver on perceived injustice to Paddy Campbell.
What a Difference a Day Makes: Sam Maguire Cup
(Odds at start of weekend)
Dublin15/8
Armagh11/4
Kerry3/1
Cork9/1
Mayo9/1
Laois12/1
Galway16/1
Donegal28/1
Fermanagh40/1
Offaly150/1
Westmeath150/1
Longford250/1
(Odds at end of weekend)
Dublin13/8
Armagh3/1
Kerry3/1
Laois9/1
Cork10/1
Mayo11/1
Donegal12/1
Westmeath66/1
Odds from Paddy Power
Next Weekend
Saturday
All-Ireland SFC - Quarter-finals
Cork v Donegal ... Croke Park
Armagh v Longford ... Croke Park
All-Ireland IHC - Semi-final
Kilkenny v Galway ... Tullamore
Sunday
All-Ireland MHC - Semi-final
Cork v Galway ... Croke Park
Christy Ring Cup - Final
Carlow v Antrim ... Croke Park
All-Ireland SHC - Semi-final
Cork v Waterford ... Croke Park
