Big three all claim comfortable wins - Waterford SFC Round 2 In Brief

Ballinacourty and Stradbally returned to winning ways in the second round of the football championship over the weekend. After falling to surprise defeats last time out, the 2011 county finalists made amends with a degree of comfort.

Courty struggled early on against St Saviours and only held a two point half time lead but drove on after the break to record a ten point win. The news that Gary Hurney suffered a broken jaw during the game will concern both club and county in the weeks ahead. At Fraher Field, Dungarvan caused Stradbally some problems in the first half as the Reds went in 1-6 to 0-5 ahead at the break with Christopher Casey finding the net. Casey added his second from the penalty spot and Michael Walsh completed the rout in the closing minutes.

At half time on Friday evening a good contest looked in store as The Nire and Ardmore went in all square. A second half double from Richard Fenton however swung the game in favour of The Nire and they cantered home thereafter. Elsewhere in Group 1, Rathgormack made it two wins from two at Walsh Park as they took care of Gaultier by a narrow margin.

On Sunday afternoon, An Rinn also maintained their unbeaten start as Donie Breathnach’s nine point scoring spree saw off Kilrossanty. They led 1-6 to 1-3 at half time with Liam Ó’Lonáin and Joey Veale trading goals. Veale struck home a second goal late on but Breathnach’s accuracy always left An Rinn in pole position. In the second game of the Fraher Field double bill, two goals courtesy of John Prendergast and one from Sean Fleming handed Clashmore their second win of the 2012 campaign against the Brickeys.

Round 2 Results:

Group 1
The Nire 3-14 Ardmore 0-7
Rathgormack 1-9 Gaultier 0-9
Ballinacourty 2-10 St Saviours 1-3

Group 2

Stradbally 3-17 Dungarvan 0-8
An Rinn 1-14 Kilrossanty 2-7
Clashmore 3-4 Brickey Rangers 0-8

Waterford SFC Round 2 Previews

27 April
The Nire v Ardmore (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Game of the weekend material here if both sides pick up from where they left off last week. The Nire’s full forward line of Jamie Barron, Shane Walsh and Shane Ryan fired 2-5 last time out and if provided with a similar supply of ball they can tilt the balance.
Odds: The Nire 1/8 Draw 12/1 Ardmore 9/2
Prediction: The Nire

28 April
Rathgormack v Gaultier (6.00 at Walsh Park) Group 2
Rathgormack need to back up their surprise result over the title holders with another win this weekend. They got their tactics spot on against Ballinacourty with Ronan Crotty given licence to roam around the field and link up the play. They could also call on the quality of Edmond Hogan and Gavin Nugent to nail the vital scores. Gaultier should improve on their below par showing against The Nire but Rathgormack carry the greater scoring potential.
Odds: Rathgormack 2/7 Draw 9/1 Gaultier 11/4
Prediction: Rathgormack

Ballinacourty v St Saviours (7.30 at Walsh Park) Group 1
After receiving an early wake up call the champions should get back to winning ways on Saturday evening. Injures and suspensions leave Saviours without a number of key players and they will do well to stay in touch.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/8 Draw 12/1 St Saviours 9/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty

Stradbally v Dungarvan (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Despite competing well in their championship opener, Dungarvan need to brace themselves for a Stradbally backlash this time around. Back to back defeats would be unthinkable for the Reds and they should reaffirm their status as title contenders with a big performance.
Odds: Stradbally 1/6 Draw 11/1 Dungarvan 4/1
Prediction: Stradbally

29 April
An Rinn v Kilrossanty (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
An Rinn needed all their experience to keep Dungarvan at bay in round one and will fancy their chances of picking up a second win here. Paul Whyte, Joey Veale and Kieran Power combined well up front for Kilrossanty to see off the Brickeys after some shaky moments early on. A tight call but Kilrossanty’s attacking threat can maintain their unbeaten start.
Odds: An Rinn 10/11 Draw 13/2 Kilrossanty 11/10
Prediction: Kilrossanty

Clashmore v Brickey Rangers (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The Brickeys started strongly against Kilrossanty but the absence of Conor McGrath eventually saw their challenge fizzle out. They won’t lie down easily in this one either but Clashmore bring forward serious momentum after taking care of Stradbally last Friday.
Odds: Clashmore 4/9 Draw 7/1 Brickey Rangers 2/1
Prediction: Clashmore

Ardmore v St Saviours Programme

Spectators attending last Sunday’s football championship action at Fraher Field were left to fill in the blanks as St Saviours failed to submit their team for publication.

Title favourites caught napping - Waterford SFC Round 1 In Brief

The 2012 football championship began in unpredictable fashion as both of last year’s county finalists stumbled at the first hurdle. Clashmore, priced at 66/1 to win the title outright, held the upper hand throughout their meeting with Stradbally on Friday evening and came away with a surprise four point triumph. Then on Saturday evening, Edmond Hogan’s early goal and five unanswered points in the closing stages helped Rathgormack get the better of reigning champions Ballinacourty.

The Nire experienced no such problems against Gaultier as Shane Walsh pulled the strings from full forward. He kicked four first half points with Jamie Barron and Shane Ryan adding goals to ensure a comfortable victory. Meanwhile, An Rinn sneaked by newly promoted Dungarvan as Billy Breathnach, Ciaran Toibin and Liam Ó’Lonáin all found the net.

On Sunday afternoon Ardmore cruised past St Saviours by eight points as the Eastern side lost two players to straight red cards. Kilrossanty rounded off the weekend’s action by seeing off Brickey Rangers on Sunday evening. Goals from Paul Whyte and Joey Veale proved the difference between the sides as John Kiely’s men started on a winning note.

Round 1 Results:
Group 1
The Nire 2-10 Gaultier 1-4
Rathgormack 1-10 Ballinacourty 1-7
Ardmore 2-7 St Saviours 0-5

Group 2
Clashmore 1-9 Stradbally 0-8
An Rinn 3-7 Dungarvan 2-8
Kilrossanty 2-8 Brickey Rangers 0-8

Can Ballinacourty put together back to back titles? – Waterford SFC Preview

“We know all about winning county titles. It was thrown at us that we couldn’t play in the rain but by God we showed them today.” That was the emphatic reaction of Ballinacourty chairman Tony Mansfield after last year’s county final.

It exemplified the steel and determination that was required to topple Stradbally on that miserable day in October at Fraher Field. Through the wind and rain and mud, they had emerged from the battlefield with a one point win to savour against a side that had claimed seven of the previous ten titles. Gary Hurney sang from the same hymn sheet in his post match comments. “People have said that we can’t do it against them (Stradbally) on a wet day. We proved that we can mix it on soft ground, on hard ground or on any sort of a ground. We’re Ballinacourty and we are here to stay.” If Courty continue to display that resolve they will be difficult to dislodge this time around.

Undoubtedly they possess the firepower to complete two in a row. An attack containing Mark Ferncombe, Gary Hurney and Patrick Hurney will be difficult for any defence to keep a handle on. The strength of their side is probably best reflected in terms of their inter county representation. Six players currently occupy places on John Owens’ senior panel and all six could start their championship opener with Limerick on May 20.

As always their sternest opposition will come from Stradbally and the Nire. The Reds didn’t play up to their usual high standards for large parts of last year’s championship yet still only came a point short on final day. While an experienced core remain, they must continue to freshen up their side with some new faces to keep pace. No one will like to face them at the business end of the season. The Nire put themselves in pole position to reach the final against Stradbally in 2011 but fell away in the closing minutes. After missing out on the last two deciders they will seek to re-establish their credentials at the top table but need to discover a sharp inside forward to deliver on a consistent basis.

Kilrossanty joined the big three in the semi finals last year and if injury victims Tommy Prendergast and Paul Whyte return to the fold they can replicate that achievement. With Clinton Hennessy and Declan Prendergast no longer part of the inter county hurling set-up, Ardmore’s progress will be worth following as they can mix it with the top teams when they hit form. Clashmore, An Rinn and Rathgormack can also cause an upset on their day and all three will expect to advance to the quarter finals. Brickey Rangers surprised many observers last time around by reaching the knock out stages but they may find the going tougher on this occasion as will Gaultier. At this juncture Dungarvan and St Saviours appear to be the likely candidates for the drop down to intermediate.

With the twelve clubs now divided into two groups of six it will be interesting to observe how the public embrace the new format. Certainly the standard of football on display must improve on previous years if the crowds are to flock to Fraher Field this weekend. Without the entertainment factor, attention will drift away as the group stages progress. Despite these changes, the Conway Cup will be contested between the big three when the knock out stages roll around and while little separates them, Ballinacourty have earned the tag of favouritism.

First round previews
20 April
Clashmore v Stradbally (8.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The Reds usually coast through the early rounds and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t happen again. Brian O’Halloran, Sean Fleming and Cillian O’Keeffe should test their rearguard on Friday night but not many teams can cope with the intensity that Stradbally bring to bear.
Odds: Clashmore 11/2 Draw 12/1 Stradbally 1/10
Prediction: Stradbally

21 April
Dungarvan v An Rinn (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Dungarvan make their return to the senior ranks and they will target games like these to preserve their status. An Rinn can blow hot and cold at times but in Liam Ó’Lonáin and Donie Breathnach they pack the firepower to make a positive start.
Odds: Dungarvan 13/8 Draw 7/1 An Rinn 4/7
Prediction: An Rinn

The Nire v Gaultier (6.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
The Eastern side will need to offer more support to JJ Hutchinson in attack to stand a chance of an upset here. Facing the experience of the O’Gorman twins, Shane Walsh and Brian Wall to name a few, they will need to step up their performance levels all over the field. Although considering that this will be the first day out, the result may be closer than some expect.
Odds: The Nire 1/8 Draw 11/1 Gaultier 5/1
Prediction: The Nire

Rathgormack v Ballinacourty (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Not a straightforward opener for the reigning champions but they should still come away with the spoils. With some promising young players on board and the accuracy of Edmond Hogan to rely on, Rathgormack will pounce on any rustiness in the Courty ranks.
Odds: Rathgormack 5/2 Draw 8/1 Ballinacourty 1/3
Prediction: Ballinacourty

22 April
Ardmore v St Saviours (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Don’t expect too many fireworks in this one but if St Saviours can replicate their heroics against Ballinameela at the tail end of last year they may give this one a rattle.
Still, hard to back against the experience of the Hennessys and the Prendergasts on the Ardmore side.
Odds: Ardmore 4/6 Draw 7/1 St Saviours 11/8
Prediction: Ardmore

Brickey Rangers v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
A repeat of last year’s quarter final where it took twenty minutes for the first score to arrive. If Kilrossanty’s big names return to the fray they can edge another low scoring battle with the Brickeys.
Odds: Brickey Rangers 11/8 Draw 7/1 Kilrossanty 4/6
Prediction: Kilrossanty

Waterford’s hurling league stats 2012

Players used: 31
Scores for: 4-79 (Average 18 points per game)
Scores against: 5-97 (Average 22 points per game)
Most appearances: Michael Walsh, Philip Mahony, Kevin Moran, Gavin O’Brien (5)
Top scorer from play: Maurice Shanahan 1-10

Results:
Cork 3-17 Waterford 0-18 @ Pairc Ui Rinn
Kilkenny 2-21 Waterford 1-15 @ Walsh Park
Tipperary 0-31 Waterford 2-15 @ Semple Stadium
Waterford 1-14 Galway 0-15 @ Pearse Stadium
Waterford 0-17 Dublin 0-13 @ Fraher Field

Scorers:
Maurice Shanahan 2-12 (1-2f)
Pauric Mahony 0-18 (16f)
Martin O’Neill 0-14 (11f)
Gavin O’Brien 0-9
Shane Walsh 1-4
John Mullane 0-4
Stephen Molumphy 1-0
Tony Browne 0-3 (1f)
Kevin Moran 0-3
Jamie Nagle 0-2 (1f)
Eoin McGrath 0-2
Seamus Prendergast 0-2
Shane O’Sullivan 0-2
Thomas Ryan 0-1
Shane Casey 0-1
Paul O’Brien 0-1
Eoin Kelly 0-1

Waterford’s football league stats 2012

Players used: 31
Scores for: 6-99 (Average 15 points per game)
Scores against: 4-99 (Average 14 points per game)
Most appearances: Tony Grey, Sean O’Hare, Cillian O’Keeffe, Sean Fleming, Kieran Connery, Wayne Hennessy (8)
Top scorer from play: Mark Ferncombe 4-7

Results:
Clare 1-17 Waterford 0-12 @ Cusack Park
Waterford 0-21 Kilkenny 0-2 @ Fraher Field
Waterford 4-7 Wicklow 1-12 @ Aughrim
Fermanagh 0-15 Waterford 0-12 @ Fraher Field
Waterford 1-18 Limerick 1-14 @ Gaelic Grounds
Carlow 1-15 Waterford 0-12 @ Fraher Field
Leitrim 0-15 Waterford 1-8 @ Carrick On Shannon
Waterford 0-9 London 0-9 @ Fraher Field

Scorers:
Gary Hurney 0-33 (16f)
Mark Ferncombe 4-12 (5f)
Patrick Hurney 0-14
Shane Ahearne 1-7 (4f)
Sean Fleming 0-8
Conor McGrath 0-8
Sean O’Hare 0-5 (2 45)
Joey Veale 0-3
Liam Ó’Lonáin 1-0
Shane Briggs 0-2
JJ Hutchinson 0-2
Tony Grey 0-2
Kieran Connery 0-1
Wayne Hennessy 0-1
Eamonn Walsh 0-1

Long road ahead but pieces beginning to fit - Waterford 0-17 Dublin 0-13

A fortnight ago most Déise followers would have settled for this scenario. Doomed for the drop before the trip to Salthill, the return of John Mullane and Eoin Kelly along with the backroom reshuffle appears to have done the trick as Waterford resembled a much more organised and focussed bunch on the last two Sundays. Not quite the great escape considering the opposition but an impressive turnaround nonetheless that injects a much needed dose of confidence into the camp.

In front of a packed house they went about their business with purpose in the opening thirty five minutes. From a tactical point of view Waterford outmanoeuvred Anthony Daly and company by dropping their half forward line deep to leave space inside. The movement of the forward line was also a deliberate ploy and everyone appeared to be on the same wavelength. It took a makeshift Dublin outfit a while to counteract and the quality deliveries into the full forward line posed plenty of problems. Gavin O’Brien benefited most and struck over four crisp points from five efforts in the first half. Last year’s minor star looked razor sharp and only needed a minimum amount of space to punish the Dubs. His third white flag provided the highlight of the afternoon as he controlled a Tony Browne pass one handed on the hurley straight into his hand and over the bar. Maurice Shanahan also continued his rich vein of form as the home side dominated most areas of the field.

The game threatened to peter out on the turnover when Kevin Moran put Waterford nine points to the good. The De La Salle combination grafted all afternoon and Dean Twomey in particular enjoyed a productive game. He offers a physical presence around the middle but does so much hard work throughout the field and distributed the ball much better on Sunday than he did seven days before. Despite the mix and match nature of Dublin’s starting fifteen they began to find their feet after Moran’s point. They clogged up the space that O’Brien, Shanahan and Mullane thrived on in the first half and clawed their way back to within four at one stage. Dean Curran’s puzzling dismissal and careless shooting however undermined their efforts to mount a comeback that would sow a seed of doubt. 18 wides over the seventy minutes (nine in each half) must trouble Daly especially when key players like David Treacy and Ryan O’Dwyer throw away easy opportunities. A Mullane special and a wonder point from Kelly on the scoreboard side stopped the rot and secured another year at the top table in 2013.

Apart from Waterford’s attacking prowess in that first half, the transformation in defence is also worth mentioning. Three clean sheets is a rare feat especially in this company and no goal chances of substance have been coughed up in the last two outings. A half back line of Browne, Walsh and O’Sullivan could be championship material and behind them the full back line is taking shape. While unfamiliar with the surroundings of the full back line, Philip Mahony again showed his eagerness to do a job wherever he is picked. Now well established as first choice number three Liam Lawlor also provides assurance and stability to a problem position. Lawlor limped out of the fray early in the second half with a knee injury and his presence along with that of Noel Connors will be needed when championship comes around.

Plenty of praise to be dished around for escaping the trapdoor but there’s still elements to work on and ample time available to iron the creases out. The absence of a goal scoring opportunity will occupy the forwards as will the 17 point total which may not suffice come summer time. The occupant of the number eleven shirt in June also remains open for debate. Pauric Mahony played a lot deeper at the weekend than he is accustomed to, in a similar fashion to Noel McGrath, but he may be better suited to the wing. The level of intensity in Waterford’s game, compared to helter skelter Tipperary v Cork tussle for example, also presents an issue. The lengthy break between league and championship may prove a hindrance to get the team tuned to the level required.

So back on the right track after a shaky start and the players look like they are enjoying their hurling again. Maintaining that positive feeling will be the challenge over the next eleven weeks as well as avoiding injuries to key players.