John Mullane says Waterford will have to come up with something different if they're to end their All-Ireland famine this year.

The former Deise star was speaking after Derek McGrath's men suffered their third straight defeat in the Allianz Hurling League at the hands of Kilkenny in Walsh Park.

"Last year I'd have been totally supportive of the sweeper," he told Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. .

"I felt if ever they were going to win an All-Ireland with the sweeper, last year was the year.

"I just think we're three, four years with the sweeper now and it's becoming a small bit predictable. If you're the opposition manager you're looking at Jamie Barron, Austin Gleeson, Kevin Moran and Tadgh de Burca.

"You're saying to yourself, 'we'll home in on those four players, try and nullify the threat of those four players' and let's be honest about it, you'll go a long way to beating Waterford the way they are structured at the moment."

Mullane was also critical of Waterford's scoring return.

"You look at Tipperary (against Wexford)... they'd 1-15 on the board after 15 minutes of hurling," he added.

"(Waterford) are not going to come within an arse's roar of Tipperary with those scoring returns. 

"Today we were reliant on Pauric Mahony getting those eight or nine frees, but you're looking at the scoring return, we'd no forward who scored in the first 36 minutes of play in the first half. We're not getting returns. 

"If you're going to be relying on the likes of Kevin Moran, Brick Walsh, these lads are not getting any younger."

Tweet

Most Read Stories