Waterford veteran Frankie Walsh suggests that the county should adopt a more adaptable approach to their crucial Munster championship tie with Tipperary in Cork on Sunday. He suggests a much faster transfer of the ball from the half backs to the forwards and a greater use of the wings.

Walsh captained Waterford in an historic replay victory over Kilkenny in 1959 and keeps a very close eye on developments in Waterford hurling ever since. Married to Eileen Grimes, sister of the late Philly Grimes who played at midfield in those historic matches, he suggests that Waterford's forwards must improve on recent performances and adds that this can be done by giving the attackers the ball "fast and low" to give them advantage against defenders coming from behind. Defenders have the advantage when the ball is coming in high. That is why I believe that low, fast ball, even along the ground, will give our attackers a better chance of scores. "I also believe that young Ken McGrath should be played on the wing. In my view he is a bit young yet to play as a centre forward should be given an opportunity to mature. He is a brilliant hurler and a very likeable young man, but he needs a little more space in order to allow him to make the most of the enormous talent which he possesses.

"I believe that there should be far more variety in our approach to the game. We are driving straight down the middle at the moment and that doesn't put the right kind of pressure on the opposition because they know what is happening all the time. We should use the wings more," says Walsh. "We have made great strides in recent years and I believe that we can get the breakthrough that we need if we vary our approach. We are over-using the solo and hand-pass. We should spread things out in order to keep the other team on their toes and uncertain about what is going to happen next.

"As well as that we are not covering back much as I would like to see. I suggest that Tony Brown should drop back to cover when the half backs move up.

"As things stand at the moment I expect that we will get a very tough time from Tipperary, but the team has been well prepared and I give them a very good chance of getting through," Walsh says. He remembers the 1959 final and replay vividly when he was marked by Paddy Buggy and when Eddie Keher, still a minor, came on as a substitute in the replay. He longs for the day when the McCarthy Cup comes back to Waterford.