Waterford will be approaching Sunday's Allianz Hurling league final "as if it's the be all and end all", according to team selector Fintan O'Connor.

The Deise men take on Clare in Thurles looking to retain the Division One title they captured last year with victory over Cork and O'Connor says they'll be looking to make the most of the occasion once more.

"It's like the Cork situation last year where at the back of your mind you knew you were going to be playing Cork and then you're facing them in a league final," O'Connor told the Irish Examiner.

"League finals don't come around that often either. We'll definitely be gearing up for the league final as if it's the be all and end all."

O'Connor admitted that the Banner men have been of special interest to Derek McGrath's men, as the two sides get set to battle it out in the Munster championship in June.

"We always had a half interest in the Clare results and the way they were playing," he stated. "When you're in 1A, the tests are such that you're trying to give your best every week so you don't have the comfort of looking at your opposition in the championship because you're so worried about the opposition for the following weekend. That's what we've been doing all year. We've been keeping an eye on Clare but not overly so."

Throw-in for Sunday's decider at Semple Stadium is at 3.30pm.

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