by Daragh Small

Waterford forward Stephen Bennett says young players need to learn to say no to managers and coaches before they get burnt out like he almost did.

The 23-year-old Ballysaggart clubman had already gone through two double hip operations by the time he turned 20.

Bennett, whose brother Shane is out with an ankle injury and other brother Kieran is back training with Waterford, had his surgeries in Christmas 2012 and 2015.

“You’re playing Harty Cup from second year, you are playing U-15, U-16,16-and-a-half, Harty, then you have soccer and other things so I probably did too much when I was too young,” said Bennett.

“You know your body. A lot of times I knew I shouldn’t train or play, but you still do it because there are managers expecting, even underage. 

“You just need to know yourself that you need a week off, just take this match off, training three times in two days when you are younger you might feel you are good, but you need to listen to your body really.

“As you get older you learn. When I was younger that would have been annoying. When you play bad you know yourself. 

“Now it is exciting trying to get in to play a few matches.”

Waterford were edged out by Galway in the 2017 All-Ireland hurling final but last season they were relegated to Division 1B of the NHL and failed to progress from the new Munster round robin.

In 2017 they began their Munster championship on 18 June, this year they played their final game on 17 June.

It’s been a long wait and Bennett cannot wait to get out in Division 1B of the NHL under the guidance of new manager Paraic Fanning.

“You need to be 100 percent or you are going to lose games in Division 1A,” said Bennett.

“We were relegated last year. I don't see it as any disadvantage playing in Division 1B, it could actually be good even for newer fellas coming in getting game time, they might adapt to it a bit easier.

“In 2015 when we won the league we came from Division 1B. You can get on a run of two or three wins, it is actually nice, you can keep going. 

“Limerick and Galway both won All-Irelands from Division 1B, so the teams are just as competitive. Dublin are down there, Galway, Offaly, Carlow, Laois, they will all be good games to get back into. 

“Hopefully we can go on a good run to qualify.”

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