At half time on Sunday in Sixmilebridge the Waterford management team gathered outside the dressing rooms seeking a master plan to reverse their fortunes. After making a bright start they had shipped 2-7 in the last fifteen minutes of the half, stood eleven points behind and staring into an embarrassing defeat. To turn around that deficit into a one point win shows commendable character and spirit in Davy’s troops even if it is only freezing January fare.
It all looked rosy for the home side in the opening period. At centre field Nicky O’Connell and Domhnall O’Donavan mopped up everything and were ably backed up by James McInerney at centre half back. It all resulted in the Waterford forwards being starved of possession and Clare feasting at the other end. Waterford started well and used the ball intelligently but this short passing game broke down by the tail end of the half. A poor clearance from Frank McGrath was sent back with interest and it led to Cathal McInerney hitting the net. Clinton Hennessy will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out but the shot had enough power to beat him. The second goal resulted from Richie Foley getting blocked down in midfield and the delivery found the lively Cathal McInerney. His run through the middle split the defence and he passed right to Fergal Lynch who smashed it to the top corner. Clare were rampant at this stage with Conor McGrath living up to his billing as the Banner’s next big thing with some high quality score taking. To add insult Eoin McGrath found himself carried off with a suspected ankle injury.
So how did Davy turn the tide in Waterford’s favour? The most pressing concern at midfield was remedied with Richie Foley picking up Nicky O’Connell and Stephen Molumphy upping his level of performance from an anonymous opening half. Seamus Prendergast proved to be the next part of the master plan with his move to full forward and Brian O’Halloran shifting to number 11. Prendergast wreaked havoc against Cian Dillon scoring a point, setting up others for scores, earning the free that started Waterford’s comeback and also earning the free that resulted in victory. Shane Casey was another who stepped up and finished with a tidy contribution of 1-3. The star turn for the second week running however was Foley who again converted a vital 21 metre free to the net and his accuracy from placed balls (1-8 from frees and two 65s) as well as a booming second half score inspired those around him.
There were mixed results for the young players looking to make a breakthrough. Corner back Frank McGrath found himself under severe pressure in the first half with Chris Ryan introduced in his place at half time. The Mount Sion man lined up at wing back and put in a solid display alongside Shane O’Sullivan and Michael Walsh. Gavin Crotty benefitted from Eoin McGrath’s injury to get on the score sheet and also create problems in the Clare full back line. Brian O’Halloran and Pauric Mahony failed to score but showed glimpses of promise. Mahony started strongly catching a great puck out and delivering good ball into the corners. O’Halloran became more prominent in the second half but his pace would be of more use closer to goal. Jerome Maher grew into the role of full back as the game wore on in the absence of the injured Liam Lawlor.
All in all plenty to please Davy Fitzgerald ahead of the Crystal League Final against Cork next weekend which provides the ideal run in to the National League. This game also proves that an eleven point lead is nothing in hurling!
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