Browne upbeat for Waterford progress

Waterford defender Tony Browne has admitted the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers should be particularly well suited to his team, especially given the way their season has run.

After being drawn in the less difficult of the two qualifying groups, Waterford look a good bet to make the quarter-finals at the end of July, and if everything works out they could be another good bet to progress beyond them.

That task begins with Sunday's opening game against Westmeath in Mullingar. Waterford are then at home to Galway on July 1st, and finish up in Laois on July 8th, at which stage forward Eoin Kelly will be back from suspension, and ideally Waterford's various injury problems will also have cleared up.

"I definitely think the qualifiers will really suit this Waterford team," said Browne, "just because of the stage we're at right now. We're hoping to get a couple of good results under our belt, get a little more consistency going, and get all our players back, and hopefully get to Croke Park and perform to our best.

"And we're looking to get an awful lot out of these qualifier matches, maybe peak then for the quarter-finals, and see how it goes from there. The spirit in the camp is still very good, and even leading into the Tipp game the training was going very well. We've a great physical trainer in Gerry Fitzpatrick and we're positive about things at the moment, that the qualifiers will help us peak now at the right time.

"And it is great we've three games to look forward to now. We were actually hoping we'd get into the stronger group. But maybe Westmeath and Laois will have something to say about that yet. Westmeath are a tough prospect, because you just don't really know what to expect."

Browne was one of several players carrying an injury into the Munster semi-final against Tipperary. Ken McGrath and John Mullane also played through their injuries, and while Tipperary came out eight-point winners, Waterford apparently haven't lost any heart.

"Training has been going very well again. Even though we lost to Tipperary we did take a lot of positives from that game. We'd an awful lot of chances, and if we'd taken even a few of them it could have been a different story. Having Eoin Kelly back will be another plus. All teams needs their players like the calibre of Eoin Kelly."

If Waterford can top their qualifier group they'll most likely face the losers of the Leinster final - either Kilkenny, or more likely Wexford. With that would come the prospect of another day out in Croke Park - and possibly even that All-Ireland final appearance which this Waterford team craves.

"Of course it would be a big thing for me to reach an All-Ireland final. But to get there is still very hard. A few small things came against us over the past few years, but we'd still be hopeful enough to get back there. Maybe time is running out for me, but I think this team is only starting to come. If you look at the average age, the likes of John Mullane and Eoin Kelly are only coming into their prime, even Ken McGrath, and younger lads like Kevin Moran and James Murray are still very bright prospects."

While Waterford are relishing these qualifiers, talks are already under way to revamp the championship structure yet again, and possibly even do away with the provincial championships.

"That would be a little drastic," adds Browne. "I'd have to see what else they come up with, but to take away a Munster championship would be a little drastic . . . for a lot of lads winning a Munster title is as good as winning an All-Ireland."

That sentiment is shared by Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald: "Personally I think the Munster championship is still a great title to win. I'd love to win another Munster medal, and very disappointed I'm not getting the chance to play Tipperary. My 1995 Munster final medal is my biggest one. Even Leinster still has great merits. I'd just love to see Galway thrown in there. I think that would make it a great championship, and would really add to it."