Waterford manager Derek McGrath says performances are more important than points in the national hurling league.

The 2017 All-Ireland finalists entertain Wexford in their Division 1A opener on Sunday and, even though defeat could leave Na Deise looking over their shoulders at Division 1B, McGrath is takng the fixture in his stride:

"I remember down in Clare last year, feeling under genuine pressure to get the points down in Ennis that would stave off a relegation dogfight. I think I am over that, in terms of our approach," he told The Irish Independent.

"It is not about gathering points. It is about going out next Sunday, giving everything we have and seeing where it takes us.

"I don't think the whole psychological scar of being in a relegation play-off would be a scar as it was in year one. If we were to under-perform in the championship because we got relegated, it wouldn't be because of that, it would be because we under-performed.

"We can live with, as a squad, just getting the best out of ourselves every week because the intensity levels of the Walsh Cup final last Saturday would clearly show you that Wexford are prepped, mentally and physically, for the league. There are absolutely in a good place."

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