Waterford selector Dan Shanahan has stressed that their main focus in the NHL is to stay up in Division 1A.

Despite being the defending NHL champions, Shanahan is adamant that their first year back in the top flight is all about consolidation.

Waterford came from Division 1B to win the title last year and the former county star stated to the Waterford News & Star that it will not be easy to stay up.

On Sunday, they host Kilkenny at Walsh Park and Shanahan feels that the Cats will have a point to prove after last year's league campaign.

"Our first priority is safety. To stay in this division would be massive for Waterford. You saw last year that Kilkenny struggled to stay up and they won't want to repeat that. It's our aim to stay up," said Shanahan.

"If we get one or two results, we can push on from that. There's good teams in 1B as well with Limerick, Wexford, Clare and Laois, but if you asked those teams, they would rather play Kilkenny, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Tipperary.

"That's a big bonus we have for this year. It will really test us for later on in the year. We have added a few lads to our panel and we hope to take a look at them during the league. Our priority in the league is safety because if you look at the other teams, they are probably ahead of us already. To remain in Division 1A is very important."

Tweet

Most Read Stories