Unless results go Waterford’s way in other games on Sunday, momentum and a something resembling a settled fifteen will be on the agenda for the remainder of this year’s league campaign. Facing an injury ravaged Offaly on Sunday, a team who have only managed one win in five thus far, a win would also maintain a steady campaign and Waterford’s standing as the one of the teams that will chase Tipperary and Kilkenny later on in 2011.
Waterford enjoy an uncomfortable league relationship with the men from the Faithful county. In 19 league meetings Offaly maintain a 10-7 advantage with two draws. Waterford did claim the 2010 spoils but needed a late spurt to squeeze through by 1-19 to 1-16. In 2006 and 2007 however, Offaly upset the odds. The 2006 game in Birr saw Joe Bergin strike 2-3 against makeshift full back James Murray. Suffice to say that experiment started and ended on that day. By half time the home side built up an eleven point lead before eventually settling for a 3-14 to 0-15 win. They repeated the trick the following year at Walsh Park by 3-15 to 1-19. Remarkably these two sides have only come across each other twice in championship. In the 2005 qualifier Waterford won by eleven in Carlow but the 2008 edition at Thurles was only settled by two Eoin Kelly goals. Even though Offaly have left the top table of hurling they can cause unease on any given day as Galway experienced last summer. They certainly hold no fear of Waterford.
The weight of relegation has been lifted off Joe Dooley’s shoulders after last week’s win over Wexford. They looked in trouble before then after suffering three heavy defeats on the trot. In their home games against Galway and Dublin they went down to 14 men and collapsed by 14 points and 13 points respectively. The discipline issue cropped up again last Sunday when Colin Egan became the third Offaly man to see red in this campaign. The long term injuries to James Rigney, Brendan Murphy, David Kenny, Paul Cleary and Joe Brady will also leave Joe Dooley satisfied with survival.
In attack they are sprinkled with names that wouldn’t look out of place in any of the top sides. 2010 All Star nominee Shane Dooley hit two high pressure late frees against Wexford after looking off colour in the opening rounds. He has recovered from the injury he suffered against Dublin and with 1-10 to his name last weekend he is regaining form. Joe Bergin and Brian Carroll can also give a stern examination of opposing defences with 1-25 scored between them so far. Newcomer Colin Egan and Derek Molloy’s return from injury provide other exciting options in attack. Despite these talents in the scoring department, Joe Dooley will be far from happy with the scores leaked at the other end. So far they have shipped 6-103 in five league games which is an average of 24 points per game. This is where a misfiring Deise forward line can regain some confidence.
Clinton Hennessy is likely to return to Waterford goalkeeping duties after serving his four week suspension. Adrian Power and Stephen O’Keeffe have probably not done enough to dislodge the dependable Ardmore man in an area where Davy can marvel at the riches he can choose from. Eoin Murphy and Tony Browne are also close to a return to action. The problem is who to drop from a defensive effort that has been a pleasing aspect of the league to date. It is a delicate balance between blooding young players and giving everyone, including the experienced players, a fair crack of the whip. Given the form of Darragh Fives at corner back Murphy in particular has a battle on his hands. Aiden Kearney, Declan Prendergast and Liam Lawlor are all on the mend to increase the competition further in defence. Shane O’Sullivan is available again in midfield to join up with top scorer Richie Foley and with John Mullane preparing for his wedding at least one change in attack can be anticipated. If Eoin McGrath or Eoin Kelly receive that opportunity they will need to offer more than they did in Nowlan Park when introduced. Brian O’Halloran remains cursed by injury after a promising Waterford Crystal League. The Clashmore man is an exciting prospect but without a consistent run of games under his belt he is falling down the championship pecking order.
The actual naming of the Waterford team remains an issue for media and supporters. Not only is the team not announced on a Thursday or Friday evening, which would give time for national and local media to preview the game, but even the team listed on the match programme cannot be relied upon as being accurate. In the last two league games the fifteen players named to start are not the same fifteen that have lined out on the field. The matter was raised by the clubs at a county board meeting a number of weeks ago but little headway has been made. In the meantime the guessing game continues.
A loss here would turn a solid league campaign into a worrying one as the championship looms large. Despite a resurgent effort from the home side, Waterford should escape from Tullamore with something to spare.
National Hurling League Division 1
Offaly v Waterford
Throw in 2.30 at O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Referee: Johnny Ryan
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