Winning a Championship game, that is Waterford’s brief according to manager Tom McGlinchey.  Without a victory in Munster since 2010 Waterford, who did defeat London in a 2011 All Ireland qualifier, have encountered plenty of demoralising results in the intervening years, including a severe 1-24 to 0-5 loss against Tipperary last year.

When asked whether Waterford can recover if they are beaten again by Tipperary McGlinchey replied.  “Well realistically Waterford aren't going to win an All-Ireland,” McGlinchey said.

“Let's be realistic about it. But let's just say if we lose to Tipp, some of our players have never won a Championship game.

“I know from playing club football, your year is all around your Championship and winning a Championship game and then go on to the next round and then you just never know.

“Tipperary didn't win the All-Ireland last year, but they had a nice run in the qualifiers. Wexford were beaten in the Leinster Championship last year, but they beat Down in a qualifier game.

“I heard Westmeath saying they had a bad League last year, but then they got a great run in the Championship. I think when you win one or two Championship games, for a team like Waterford you can look back and say, 'Yeah, that wasn't too bad, let's see can we progress again next year'.

“It's different for the Kerrys and Corks and Dublins, they're looking at winning an All-Ireland. But for Waterford it's about winning a Championship game.”

That is the mission Waterford’s players are embracing, and McGlinchey is hugely respectful of the diligent way his panel continue to work.  “The 26 lads that I have involved with Waterford, they are unbelievable, especially when they have the pressure of club hurling because club hurling is considered stronger than the county senior football team,” McGlinchey commented.

“Like the desire, the commitment, the attitude, their effort is second to none and you have to laud them for it because when you're down at the bottom rung of the 32 teams, you're down at the bottom rung, it's easy to throw in the towel, but these lads, they're fantastic and if they win a game it'll be great for them.”

Can Waterford close the gap on Tipperary?  It's going to be a hard task,” McGlinchey accepts. “Tipp were playing Division Three, we were playing Division Four.

“We didn't get out Division Four and that's the reality of it and that's the thing about the National Football League, it's the most level competition we have.

“The four divisions are fairly even and Tipp are playing at a higher level, but we'd be hopeful that we have a few new players in this year, they've played well, they made their debuts in the League, but again, Championship is a different kettle of fish.

“Tipperary have, over the last four or five years they've been there or thereabouts. They started very well against Kerry last year, they had a good run in the qualifiers until Tyrone beat them so they're going to be a tough, tough task.”