02-05-2025
Stephen Frampton hails Waterford's shock win over Clare as boss Peter Queally makes his mark
AVOIDING the spotlight helped Waterford make such a bright start to their Munster SHC campaign.
That is according to Stephen Frampton, who is hoping
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Stephen Frampton hailed his former teammate Peter Queally for his leadership of Waterford
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Waterford and Peter Queally stunned Brian Lohan's Clare in the Munster SHC semi-final
Waterford have yet to qualify for the
But they could hardly have dreamt of a better beginning to their 2025 bid than a toppling of the
Frampton was thrilled for his former team-mate
Queally, who served as a selector to predecessor
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He achieved his first aim by steering his side back to Division 1A of the National League, before going on to oversee last weekend's victory against the Banner.
And ex-Waterford wing-back Frampton said: "He's been around the block with a number of teams so he's gained great experience.
"It was one of those things where each time he was going for the job, there was another strong competitor there looking for it as well.
"He was very unlucky in that sense but he's grabbed the bull by the horns now and he's really making a great fist of it so far."
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Having competed in the second tier of the league, Waterford were also on a bye for the opening weekend of the Championship.
Queally's charges subsequently came in somewhat under the radar, which Frampton believes stood to them when they hosted Clare at Walsh Park.
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Reflecting on the eight-point win, the Ballygunner man said: "It was badly needed from a Waterford point of view.
"Expectation levels going into the match were low, which is great in Waterford because we're just so hungry for success and craving it that there can be a frenzy at the start of every Championship.
'The fact that the lads played in Division 1B this year, I suppose there was less of a spotlight on the team and I think it really helped things."
Frampton is keen to see Waterford make home advantage count again tomorrow when they aim for a first Championship win over Limerick since 2011.
While redevelopment work was carried out at Walsh Park in 2023, the Déise played their home Championship games in Thurles.
They returned to their own backyard last season, beating Cork and drawing with Tipperary.
HOME FORTRESS
Frampton, who served as a selector during Liam Cahill's term in charge, said: "Peter alluded to it after the game last weekend and I know when I was involved a few years ago.
"We wanted to make Walsh Park an ugly place to go for teams.
'Hopefully when all the work is done it will remind me of the likes of Ennis with how tight and compact it is. The crowds are so close and it creates a massive atmosphere.
'If things aren't going well for an away team, it can probably be quite intimidating.
"It would be great if we could keep creating that type of scenario in Walsh Park because it should be our fortress and it should give us an advantage.
'It certainly seemed that way last Sunday. The team gave the crowd something to shout about and they got behind the team as well."
