John Martin: Is a soft centre holding Waterford back?

BAD DAY…It was ne to forget for Stepphen O’Keefe and his Waterford teammates

GAELIC Life hurling columnist John Martin has suggested that a soft centre is possibly the reason why Waterford can’t move to the next level.

Writing in today’s edition, Martin said that there is growing evidence that they are missing the mental toughness to claim provincial and All-Ireland honours with the defeat to Cork the latest example.

“The question that has to be asked is whether this Waterford team has a soft centre?

“Despite being outplayed, Waterford were only a couple of points behind on the hour mark. But with a one-man advantage, there was no drive to step up a gear and take control. If anything they retreated further.

“This isn’t the first time of course – they failed to get over the line twice last year against Kilkenny and had two unsuccessful bites of the cherry against Clare in the league final the year before.”

The full column is available in today’s Gaelic Life, in shops now or available here.