End of the road for a good Decies side?

While it was heartening to see Clare put in such a good performance in today's Munster hurling championship game it was sad to see how far back Waterford have gone in just a season.
Last year's Munster champions looked to be on the verge of going all the way to the All-Ireland final where most neutrals were licking their lips in anticipation of a shoot-out between the Decies and the Cats.
The wheels came off the wagon however, after winning a replayed game against Cork and a flat, tired looking Waterford were turned over by a battle hardened hungry Limerick team they had already beaten in Munster.
I don't think that the Decies have recovered from that hammer blow to their All-Ireland hopes.
I believe that last year was the one where Waterford's veterans, some of whom have been chasing an All-Ireland title since they signalled their return to the top table of hurling in 1998, felt this was 'the year' they had to make the breakthrough.
The first signs that the wheels were coming off the wagon was in the National League where they 'enjoyed' a very average campaign.
The accepted wisdom was that the Decies were trying to keep their powder dry, preparing instead for the All-Ireland campaign.
But the injuries to four All Stars, Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn, Eoin Murphy and Eoin Kelly has left their resources threadbare and last year's Player of the Year Dan Shanahan has also struggled against injury and it showed today.
However, despite the loss of these top players what was unforgivable was the fact that they threw in the towel with 20 minutes left.
Another major concern must be the fact that Clare were so much fitter than the Decies who looked lack lustre and were second to almost every ball.
The space given to the Clare forwards was reminiscent at times of a training game and the Waterford tackling lacked any purpose or bite.
So where do they go from here?
The good news for Waterford is that they have a few weeks to get over this licking.
They must hope that the limbs of their lost leaders will heal but more importantly that their hurt pride will help them regain some momentum through the back door.
The good news is that they are likely to face Antrim when that campaign resumes and this gives them every chance to get back on track.
However, when it comes to the big tests later in the summer I can't see the Decies stand up to top sides.
It's a long way down but I think we have seen the best of the Decies for a generation.