Headline Makers - Waterford GAA 2012

January

Kelly steps out and steps in again

A couple of days into the New Year and the news broke that two time All Star Eoin Kelly was off the county panel for the league and championship. Manager Michael Ryan described the results of a fitness assessment as “disappointing”. Differences were resolved however and Kelly made his return as a substitute against Galway two months later.

Camogie stars collect Granville award
The Waterford camogie team were worthy winners of the WLR FM/Graville Hotel overall award for 2011 as they were recognised for their league and championship double.

February

Coláistí na nDéise dominate all Waterford semi final

Despite losing a player to a red card before the throw in for the second game in succession, Coláistí na nDéise raced 2-9 to 0-0 ahead by half time and left De La Salle in their slipstream. Goals from Michael Kiely and Michael Harney booked their spot in the final by 2-13 to 1-8.

Davy strikes first blood
Four months ahead of their championship clash, Clare served notice of their promise by running up 3-17 in a routine Crystal League win on a heavy sod at Walsh Park. Davy Fitzgerald watched the entire game from the stand but didn’t place too much emphasis on the result. “We are not reading a thing into that whatsoever. It was nearly like a challenge game, Waterford weren’t taking that seriously at all.”

WIT bow out of Fitzgibbon race
WIT were eliminated from the Fitzgibbon Cup at the group stage for the second year in a row after a Noel McGrath inspired UCD outfit chiselled out a three point win on a cold Valentines’ night at Carraiganore.

Four in a row for WIT camogie
The WIT camogie team kept their cool on home soil to collect their fourth Ashbourne Cup on the trot against UL. After a tense opening half, goals from Katrina Parrock and Marie Dargan along with a powerhouse display at wing back from Patricia Jackman paved the way for a ten point victory.

Lehane lights up Leeside
Cork and Conor Lehane in particular exploited a makeshift Waterford rearguard to get the Jimmy Barry Murphy era off to the perfect start at a jam packed Pairc Ui Rinn. With the injury list in double figures, keeping their heads above water in the top tier already looked like a tall order.

Harty Cup success
Nenagh CBS came into the final as favourites but Coláistí na nDéise outplayed their fancied opponents in Cashel and sprinted 11 points clear at the break. Cathal and Patrick Curran scored 2-11 between them in a complete team performance.

March

Strong Waterford influence as UCC take Fitzgibbon

For the third time in five seasons, the Fitzgibbon final went to extra time and several Waterford players were in the thick of it. Darragh Fives, Philip Mahony, Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Sullivan all started for UCC as they took the title on home soil against local rivals CIT.

Ferncombe bags hat trick
Aughrim is not the easiest place to visit at any time of year but Waterford achieved a notable 4-7 to 1-12 win in early March to revive their Division 4 campaign. Mark Ferncombe fired home a hat trick with Shane Ahearne also on target. Home defeats to Fermanagh and Carlow ultimately dented their promotion ambitions.

Backroom reshuffle
“We are just not up to the pace of the game, we don’t look sharp, we don’t look fit and we don’t look mentally focussed and that’s something the management must sort out.” That was Michael Ryan’s reaction after Tipperary inflicted a third league defeat at Semple Stadium. A turbulent time for the new management team and Nicky Cashin opted out before the trip to Galway with Ken McGrath filling the void after some persuasion.

Great escape starts in sunny Salthill
At a sun splashed Pearse Stadium, Waterford got back on track. Ken McGrath was now on the sideline with John Mullane and Eoin Kelly restored to the panel. Mullane provided the assist for the crucial goal with a searing run before Shane Walsh bravely got a touch ahead of James Skehill.

Cullinane steps into the breach
Further drama unfolded after the final whistle in Salthill as selector Brother Philip Ryan departed. Sean Cullinane was swiftly drafted in.

April

O’Brien swats the Dubs away

On April fools day at Fraher Field, there was no room for error and Waterford set about their task early on. Four crisply taken points from Gavin O’Brien sent the hosts into a commanding 0-12 to 0-4 lead at half time. Kilkenny steamrolled Galway at Nowlan Park to guarantee survival.

May

Curran settles a minor cliffhanger

A terrific contest on a Wednesday evening back in May as Waterford and Clare were separated by the odd score in 37 after 80 minutes of action. Stephen Bennett, Micheal Harney and Darragh Flynn all sparkled up front but Cathal Curran emerged as the hero. He was substituted earlier in the game but returned to the fray and grabbed the winner from a tight angle.

Footballers rue penalty miss
Trailing by a point at half time in this Munster quarter final, Waterford were awarded a penalty on the resumption. Mark Ferncombe’s effort was saved however and they paid a heavy price for it. Ian Ryan got Limerick motoring and they produced a powerful finish to run out winners on a flattering scoreline of 2-12 to 0-7.

June

Waterford hold their nerve

Experience once again gained the upper hand over youth as Waterford advanced to their fourth Munster final in a row. After a questionable penalty call, Eoin Kelly lashed the sliotar home and Shane Walsh then pounced on a defensive error.  They rode their luck in the second period as Clare sent a number of frees wide of the mark and Stephen O’Keeffe marked his championship debut with a spectacular save from Conor McGrath.

Tipp minors run riot
Tipperary amassed 2-25 in a one sided semi final in Semple Stadium and displayed their All Ireland credentials. Waterford were within four points at the interval but Tipp stepped on the gas with John McGrath and Tadhg Gallagher leading the rout. Only the heroics of Seanie Barry in goals prevented the Premier from adding to their hefty total.

Wicklow go the extra mile
Fourteen man Waterford were minutes away from repeating their league heroics at Aughrim in this All Ireland qualifier but the hosts snatched an equaliser and pushed on in extra time.

July

Owens bows out

After three years at the helm, John Owens left the Waterford football set-up in late July.The undoubted high point was achieving promotion to Division 3 and bringing the team to Croke Park for the league final in the process.

Tipp take their chances
Pride restored after 2011 but a lingering sense of regret all the same. Kevin Moran drove the team forward in the second half and Tipp were there for the taking before Shane Bourke took full advantage of a break around the goalmouth to ease their nerves. Missed frees and a couple of spurned goal chances left the Waterford faithful frustrated. Five points in the second half and sixteen overall was never going to be enough.

Under 21s fail to fire
From the opening minutes, Clare were exploiting alarming gaps in the Déise defence and only some miraculous goalkeeping from Stephen O’Keeffe kept the score respectable. The Banner men racked up 1-11 in each half to overwhelm a disorganised Waterford outfit at Cusack Park. Selector Michael Walsh couldn’t quite comprehend what he had just seen. “We were second from the word go, that’s the reality.”

Strength in depth stands to the Rebels
Cork outscored Waterford by seven points to one in the last ten minutes to advance to the All Ireland semi final. After an uncertain start, John Mullane took over at centre forward to drag his side back into contention and put them in a winning position. A combination of factors resulted in Waterford’s downfall. A couple of missed opportunities, Shane Walsh’s injury and most of all, Cork’s superior substitutes saw this game slip through the fingers. Michael Ryan said: “They had a very strong bench and they were playing with the wind. It’s about momentum really. They hit the front at exactly the right stage of the game.”

August

Queen of the Cooleys strikes again

On her seventh visit to the Cooley Mountains since that maiden voyage in 2006, Patricia Jackman took home her fourth All Ireland title in a row. It’s an event that flies under the radar but keeping hold of an All Ireland title and fending off the attentions of the chasing pack year after year is an outstanding achievement. This time around, Jackman completed the two and a half kilometre course in 29 pucks.

Intermediates fall short
A fortuitous Emma Kilkelly goal dashed Waterford’s dreams of achieving back to back promotions in the intermediate camogie championship after Galway emerged from their semi final clash by 1-14 to 0-13 at the Gaelic Grounds.

September

Kelly calls it a day

At the age of 29 with 46 championship appearances under his belt, Eoin Kelly felt his inter county days were over. He was left on the bench for the quarter final defeat to Cork. He reflected: “Looking back at the last couple of years, I have only been a bit player. It was time to call it a day. Maybe I’m taking a younger lad’s place on the panel that might have more to offer.” Declan Prendergast and Eoin McGrath also departed the inter county stage during 2012.

Croker calling for Waterford ladies
A well taken Michelle Ryan penalty and a slick Shona Curran goal gave Waterford the initiative in their All Ireland semi final clash with Fermanagh in Birr. They absorbed a second half revival to reach their second intermediate decider in three years.

Blues rewrite the history books
After 61 years spent in the wilderness, Dungarvan shook up the hurling championship by booking their spot in the county final. Fourmilewater were the only unbeaten team remaining and had previously taken the scalp of De La Salle but they couldn’t handle the youthful Blues in the second half. Jamie Nagle got a grip at midfield and Darren Duggan performed miracles between the posts in front of a raucous home support. 

October

Orchard county power to intermediate glory

The Armagh ladies displayed their strength and experience in the intermediate final to keep a battling Waterford outfit at bay. Only six years previous they had contested the senior decider and they were eager to regain their status after recent demotion. A goal from Hannah Landers and energetic displays from the likes of Elaine Power and Aileen Wall offered hope for the Deise ladies but they couldn’t get close enough.

Three is the magic number
De La Salle set out their stall for a third county title from the throw in. Jake Dillon’s early green flag quenched any faint hopes Dungarvan had of getting their hands on the News & Star trophy. De La Salle quickly established superiority in the half back line and midfield with Kevin Moran once again providing an assured presence at centre back. He got them out of the woods in a tight semi final and with John Mullane also upping his game for the knock out rounds, Derek McGrath’s men romped home.

An Rinn & Ballinameela back in the big time
After recently sampling the senior grade, An Rinn and Ballinameela will get a second shot after earning promotion in 2012. After a couple of narrow wins in the West, An Rinn blew Portlaw away in the county final. It was a closer affair in the football as Ballinameela got the better of De La Salle with only a point to spare.

De La Salle pair recognised
A mixed bag of a championship still produced some strong individual performances and two All Star awards. Kevin Moran received his first accolade while John Mullane collected his fourth in a row and a fifth in all.

November

Reds come good in replay

The Nire started the drawn game and the replay in purposeful fashion but couldn’t slam the door shut on Stradbally. Michael Walsh lifted the troops in both games when The Nire threatened to pull away. In a riveting replay, Ger Power’s goal gave Stradbally the impetus and David Grey stroked over an injury time winner.

Provincial losses for Waterford clubs
Stradbally could count themselves unlucky to lose out to Castlehaven in the Munster semi final but the overall provincial picture was bleak. Ballinameela and An Rinn lost out narrowly in the intermediate grade but Butlerstown and Kilmacthomas suffered horrendous hidings at junior level.

Sarsfields flourish in free flowing final
After slugging it out with Newmarket in the last four, De La Salle had to adapt to a more expansive affair against Thurles Sarsfields. The dismissal of John Keane hampered their cause although Eddie Barrett emerged with his reputation enhanced. Thurles will take beating with that lethal attack in the spring.

Carew answers the call
Over a hundred days passed and candidates appeared thin on the ground for the vacant Waterford football job. In November, some white smoke eventually appeared. After stepping down as selector with Kildare, Niall Carew jumped at the opportunity to take his first plunge into inter county management. The early signs are positive. “The lads, in fairness to them, have all bought into it so far. They are very eager and you couldn’t but be impressed with the response I’m getting from the players.”

December

Convention time

The Waterford county board recorded a loss of €212,271 in their 2012 accounts and secretary Timmy O’Keeffe outlined the situation in his report. “The management of the finances of the Board continue to be a serious challenge for the county. All costs have to be scrutinised carefully.” The coffers were badly hit in the area of fundraising as they incurred a loss of €16,662 for the year. The season ticket scheme, a pub quiz in February and a greyhound night in May are among the initiatives organised for 2013 to boost the finances.

Mullane weighs up his options
The Irish Examiner revealed over the Christmas that John Mullane is uncertain about his inter county future. He said: “I’m not the kind of fella who can go into something without being 100% committed. If I don’t feel 100% right within myself I won’t do it – it’s all or nothing.” A county holds its breath.

Farewell to Frankie
Captain of the 1959 All Ireland winning team Frankie Walsh was laid to rest on the last day of 2012 after a short illness. He was held in high esteem throughout the country as GAA followers from near and far came to pay their last respects to the Mount Sion man. He scored five points in the drawn final of 1959 against Kilkenny and followed that up with eight in the replay.