Gavin Cummiskeyhears from Ken McGrath about the mood in the Waterford camp as Davy Fitzgerald's charges prepare to face Offaly

WE HAVE Ken McGrath on the rack - peppering him with questions about the arrival of Davy Fitzgerald to Waterford training for the first time.

What did he say?

Was training different from before? Can you give us some specifics, Ken?

The line of enquiry occasionally veered off in a different direction, but who could blame us for seeking further insight into the strange merging of the multi-decorated Clare goalkeeper and this underachieving Waterford band of brothers, at least in an All-Ireland context?

McGrath was not really on the rack. He has battled for 13 seasons in the most demanding environment imaginable for an amateur sportsman, keeping the door shut on the great attacking hurlers in the modern game. The string of queries about Fitzgerald are swatted away with the affability that has been long associated with the Waterford centre back.

But McGrath has taken a leave of absence from the number-six club. After years sitting comfortably behind the distinctive red helmet of Brian Lohan, Fitzgerald clearly felt his first big call as an intercounty manager required the shoring up of the Waterford full-back line.

Kevin Moran got the bullet, and McGrath was confined to the unfamiliarity of the square's edge.

"It was grand but I'm only learning the position. He's trying something different and hopefully it will work. I'm willing to have a go at it. I've no problem with it.

"I've never played there in my life, to be honest," he adds, and that is a surprise.

How does it differ from his normal free role behind midfield?

"You have to stay around the square and hold your position. I'd be inclined to follow the ball a bit, especially out the middle of the field. That takes a bit of getting used to, but I suppose he is trying it and I am willing to have a go at it. We'll see how it goes against the bigger teams."

Waterford and Fitzgerald got a break last Sunday when Offaly came out of the draw. Despite their being crowned Munster and National League champions in 2007, the lacklustre display against Clare on June 1st confirmed rumours of a team in decline on Justin McCarthy's watch.

The annihilation of Antrim (6-20 to 1-10) on June 28th was of little benefit to anyone - apart from McGrath as he got a run out at full back - but if they can reach their expected heights, Offaly will struggle to contain them.

"A new manager has to have a different approach. It is a lot fresher. The fellas are having a go off it again and everyone feels they have a chance of playing. That's why you have 36 or 37 lads pushing for a place on the team.

"They all feel they are trying to impress a new man. That has to help. Everyone is going for it at training. The matches are a lot more intense."

So tell us more about the Sixmilebridge man as a coach?

"We are nothing but impressed with Davy; his whole attitude too, his focus. He is one hundred per cent in the job. What he is trying to do. We couldn't say anything more about the man. Up and down from Clare every second night. The lads are responding.

"It was like starting a new job. Fellas were nervous themselves. After five minutes out on the pitch we realised this fella was good.

"After the first night he had the respect of the players because his first session was great. He won over the players straight away. From then on we were tuned in.

"He has the All-Ireland medals in his pocket. He has done it with LIT as a coach and different teams. He has a great attitude to hurling and the same attitude to life. He goes for everything and I hope he puts more belief into our players so we can achieve what we are trying to do."

Waterford's hurlers still possess the tools to win an All-Ireland. That is what they are trying to do.