Waterford selector Dan Shanahan has compared Michael 'Brick' Walsh to Ken McGrath following his successful move from defence to attack.

The three-time All Star centre back has taken to his new wing forward role like a duck to water and Shanahan enthused: "I couldn't speak highly enough of the man to make that transition from midfield to centre back up to the forwards. There's not many people who can do that, maybe only Ken McGrath or Austin Gleeson.

"I know this man since I started hurling. Some people said that he didn't have one of his best games against Tipp. I would advise them to look at the DVD. He doesn't get on the scoresheet much, but what he gives you is hooking and blocking and laying off ball.

"At the start of the year, he asked us could he play in the forwards and we just tried him out in a few of the games. He has been very consistent."

Looking ahead to Sunday's Allianz League final, Shanahan admits Cork's attacking options are a concern for the Deise.

"Paudie O'Sullivan came on and got a goal the last day (against Dublin), who's to say he won't start on Sunday. Conor Lehane got four points from play, Patrick Horgan hit 17 points. They might be frees, but he still has to put them over the bar," the former Hurler of the Year continued.

"They pose a serious threat. We know that. We played Cork last year in big games, and they taught us a lesson the second day; we ran out of fitness a bit the first day, but they showed what they can do the second day.

"It's a new year, they've brought in some new lads and so have we, so we won't be looking back, but we know what they're capable of doing. They've had a massive league, though some Cork people thought they were gone after losing the first league game against Kilkenny."

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