Despite the strong wind and incessant rain that swept across Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, Waterford claimed the first silverware on offer in 2011 with a performance of many bright spots ahead of next weekend’s league opener against Dublin.
The win came in predictable fashion with Denis Walsh clearly putting a second string outfit into the fray. Proof of this was that the Cork first team played a challenge game against Clare later that evening. It will be difficult to leave out Conor Lehane however who shot seven outstanding points from play, three in the first half and four in the second. Aside from Lehane and Cian McCarthy however, they failed to match Waterford’s firepower. Richie Foley’s accuracy improved from a few first half misses and with the aid of a strong breeze in the second period victory was assured.
Eamonn’s Murphy contribution on his first competitive start in the senior side along with the emergence of other promising young players made the Crystal Cup campaign a worthwhile exercise. Murphy played at centre forward for the minor team in 2010 and scored 2-9 from play during the Munster championship. His fearless attitude, his willingness to take on his marker and accuracy during last year’s campaign clearly alerted Davy Fitzgerald and company. Murphy deputised for late injury victim Shane Walsh on Saturday and seized the call up at corner forward. Not only did he claim two first half points but his vision to pick out a colleague in a better position and his persistence to win possession caused endless difficulties for the Cork defence. He looks a solid bet to play some role in Sunday’s game at Walsh Park.
Indeed Murphy’s hunger and eagerness was noticeable in all of the new faces on show. Darragh Fives again put in a good seventy minute shift at corner back highlighted by a goal saving block on Eoghan Murphy in the second half. Pauric Mahony and Gavin Crotty both got on the score sheet but their appetite for work and unselfish play proved just as important. Chris Ryan and Seamus Hannon in the wing back positions encountered difficulties against Conor Lehane and Cian McCarthy but they responded to the challenge and can be satisfied with their displays.
The quality of ball delivered into the full forward line proved an effective tactic with the inside men scoring seven points between them. Seamus Prendergast in particular reaped the rewards of this approach. Prendergast looks to be in lean condition and at full forward he can cause his opponent headaches because even if he doesn’t score himself he will break ball for others or win frees. After a dip in form in recent seasons the Ardmore man looks ready to attack 2011.
The injury to Brian O’Halloran spoiled a good afternoon’s work. Davy Fitzgerald conceded after the game that the Clashmore forward could be out for four to five weeks. He joins a growing list of casualties with Declan Prendergast, Aiden Kearney, Liam Lawlor, Mark O’Brien, Eoin McGrath and Shane Walsh already on the sidelines. Tony Browne and Eoin Murphy return to training this week but are unlikely to see action against Dublin with Eoin Kelly and Ken McGrath also short of match sharpness.
All of these factors combined means the promise of the young players trialled during the successful Crystal campaign will now be put to the test of league action.
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