Cork v Waterford
While this weekend’s Crystal Cup final between Waterford and Cork will be scarcely recalled when September calls it bears an important learning curve for the fresh faces on show and also builds momentum for the upcoming National League.
Waterford have attacked the competition with a mix of young and old primarily due to injury with Eoin McGrath the latest to join the walking wounded. The Fitzgibbon Cup and De La Salle’s club commitments have also tightened the numbers. Cork meanwhile, are in full experimentation mode. Denis Walsh is using the Crystal to field a development side while the main protagonists prepare for the league to commence. A few weeks back he stated that only a handful of the development side would eventually make the league panel. Two different approaches but both sides find themselves pitted in the final.
The Waterford form guide reads two comebacks in two weeks with the escape in Sixmilebridge last time out of particular note. The team is likely to be picked along similar lines this week despite the return to training of Ken McGrath and Tony Browne. Chris Ryan and Gavin Crotty made a difference when introduced against Clare and could force their way into the reckoning for starting places. Richie Foley with 2-19 in the competition so far will remain the chief source of scores. Cork’s run to the final included an extra time win over UCC and a semi final triumph against UL. Players like Mark Ellis, Conor Lehane, Jamie Coughlan and Brian Hartnett are making strong claims for inclusion for their league opener against Offaly. Denis Walsh is likely to keep the faith with many of these charges at least for this weekend.
While the young Rebels have earned respect in recent weeks the more experienced polish in the Waterford ranks should be enough for them to overcome the trip to Pairc Ui Rinn and retain the Crystal trophy.
Waterford Crystal Final
Cork v Waterford 5/2/11
Throw in 2.00 at Pairc Ui Rinn
Wexford v Waterford
In 2008 Wexford emerged from the football wilderness to claim an All Ireland semi final place with an astute young manager in the shape of Jason Ryan and a confident team that defeated Armagh and Down en route to that semi final against Tyrone. Three years on, Jason Ryan is still in place but the landscape has changed as they face into a Division 3 campaign starting with Waterford on Sunday.
The Slaneysiders enter this year’s league with more negatives than positives after a troublesome pre season. Their O’Byrne Cup campaign ended with heavy defeats to DIT and Dublin respectively. Over the two games Wexford conceded a total of 8-28 and scored only 1-12. Mattie Forde also announced his retirement from the game last month. The ace forward who secured the GPA player of the year and an All Star award in 2004 was forced to call it a day due to a persistent back problem. Aside from the void left by Forde, Ryan could be without up to ten of last year’s panel due to retirement, work commitments, injury and emigration. PJ Banville, David Fogarty and Damien Carter are among the absentees.
The question is can Waterford benefit from Wexford’s misfortune? In the most competitive division of all a positive opening would quell the nerves and ease any early relegation fears. Unlike their South East neighbours John Owens enjoyed a pre season where he unearthed new players and where his team competed well in defeating Tipperary and losing narrowly to Clare. Fresh talent introduced like Paul Whyte, Joey Veale and Sean Fleming will all be seeking forward positions with Brian Phelan providing competition in midfield. This offsets somewhat the absence of key players for Sunday. Tony Grey and Liam Ó’Lionain are both ruled out due to injury while the retirement of Stephen Cunningham and emigration of Conor McGrath also lessens the options available.
This is not the same Wexford side that reached the last four of the All Ireland three short years ago. Despite possessing quality footballers like Redmond Barry and Ciarán Lyng, they are a side low on morale with a defence that can be sliced wide open. John Owens believes promotion from Division 3 is attainable for his side and with the home outfit filled with doubts Sunday provides the opportunity to prise two vital league points away from Wexford Park.
National Football League Division 3
Wexford v Waterford 6/2/11
Throw in 2.30 at Wexford Park
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