By Cian O’Connell

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Stephen Bennett has become accustomed to dealing with injury issues in recent years, but the promising Waterford attacker has been demonstrating his ability on the Allianz Hurling League stage this spring.

It has been an interesting 2017 for Waterford so far earning wins against Kilkenny and Dublin while losing to Tipperary and Cork.

Manager Derek McGrath, though, is adamant that the fact that Bennett is getting a run in the team is one of the main positives for the Deise. “Yeah, it is,” McGrath admits. “He's getting a good run in the team. He was due to play the first day against Kilkenny and he pulled up the week before it. Other than that, he's been fairly ever-present. 

“It's important for him to get a run. Last year he lit up the Under 21 Championship, played for us against Joey Holden and Kilkenny in the semi-final replay, and now it's his first sustained run in the team if you like. 

“Look, Stephen is a good player, he just needs to continue to work as hard as everyone else and he will do that. I don't want to be using the word process, but he's going to have ups and downs along the way. He's going to have tough days as well. It's how he deals with them I suppose.”

McGrath has never had any doubt about Bennett’s class, but feels it is vital that Waterford protect him for the future. “Yeah, he's in a good place physically which is, not unusual, but it's the first time you could say he's in a good place in a couple of years where he's getting that sustained run,” McGrath says.

“If he can get a bit of confidence from getting some game-time and us showing more faith in him - last year we were trying to manage his injuries and the beneficiaries were probably the Under 21s. 

“I remember even in the Munster Final last year being pummelled down in Limerick and not bringing him on because he was playing on Wednesday night in an Under 21 match. And then he lit up the Under 21 Final. Look, he's definitely an asset to us when he's right.”

The Bennett brothers from Ballysagart are producing at the highest level for Waterford now and Sunday’s crucial Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Ennis encounter with Clare offers another opportunity to shine.

Being clinical and consistent is key for Waterford according to Bennett. “We have stopped talking about results, we have talked about putting in a performance for 70 minutes,” Bennett states.

“We haven't really done that yet so we need to come back to being a bit more consistent, playing well for a full 70 minutes.

“On Sunday, the same as the last few times we just want to go out to try to be better. One or two performances this year haven't been up to scratch so we just need to go back to the basics, working hard, trying to get a performance. The results then can look after themselves as such.”

The Clare contest is an ideal environment for both teams to test themselves ahead of the challenges which await in the summer. “Five teams left are able to qualify or be out which just shows how competitive the League is,” Bennett remarks.

“It is great because it adds a bit more of a Championship feel to them, it is nearly knockout games as such, it is great to get them this early in the year.

"It is nice to get these type of games because they are the only thing that are going to bring you on - Championship type games, Sunday is going to be another one of them. We are just going there looking to put in a good performance for 70 minutes. Hopefully the result will happen for us then.”

Waterford have made significant progress during the past two years, but Bennett feels the team can develop further. “Yeah, definitely, but as far as we have come it is still disappointing not to get over the line some days.

"We have lost two Munster Finals and two All Ireland Semi-Finals that we could have won. To stay where we are is important, but we have to try to push on maybe one step further.”

While Waterford are edging closer to their intended destination Bennett is completely aware that several other outfits are also embarking on journeys too. “You know you aren't a million miles away, but you can't start thinking you are that close either because it is very easy to fall behind,” is Bennett’s assessment.

“You have the likes of Clare, Cork, and Limerick they are going to be so good and improved this year, you need to keep beating every team not just thinking you need to beat Tipp or Kilkenny. Everyone is going to be so competitive this year and you need to improve or else you are going to fall behind.”

Things can alter quickly when momentum is generated. “Exactly, any one of six teams really, Tipp maybe are that bit ahead and maybe Kilkenny, but everyone else is so close.

“A bit of a run can kickstart a big year, we need to improve very much so on the last year or two or else we aren't going to be competitive.

"You can even see that this early in the League, the League is so competitive with everyone beating each other. You really can't say who is going to win matches anymore so it is just about improving and buying into what the boys are telling us.”

McGrath’s deep influence on the Waterford panel remains. “Definitely, there was a huge emphasis put on team bonding, everybody does get on so well, even the backroom team and the players.

"Everyone does buy into what we want to do, that makes it easier because everyone is working for the same thing.” The Waterford adventure continues.