After lying in the shadows of the Nire and Stradbally in recent seasons, 2011 presents an ideal opportunity for Ballinacourty to deliver a county title. Although they did claim county honours in 2007 against Ardmore they have fallen down against the big two in subsequent deciders.
To disrupt the Old Firm of Waterford football will be a stiff task but last year’s final should stand to them as a learning curve for this campaign. They started like an express train with Mark Ferncombe in red hot form. As the game progressed however the challengers wilted and Stradbally used all their experience to squeeze over the line with a late point. Courty possess too much talent in all areas of the field to be satisfied with second best however and will regroup for another shot at the title. Ferncombe with senior inter county recognition now under his belt joins Patrick and Gary Hurney in a sharp forward line with Shane Briggs and John Hurney the stars in defence.
Stradbally grew as the campaign entered the knock out stages last time around and are gradually blending the Ahernes, Tommy Connors and Luke Casey with the side that claimed five in a row in the last decade. With three in a row up for grabs they will again be the team to beat. The Nire exited at the quarter finals to Stradbally in 2010, an unusually early departure for them. With a strong base of players like Brian Wall, Liam Lawlor, Shane Walsh and the O’Gorman twins they have a point to prove this year. As they introduce fresh talent some of their hard edge of old has been lost and they will need to regain that steel when an inevitable battle arrives against Stradbally or Ballinacourty in the knock out rounds.
Bubbling under the top three are Kilrossanty, Ardmore and An Rinn who can cause an upset but not on a consistent basis to be legitimate title challengers. Kilrossanty look the best bet of this trio to make an impact under the stewardship of former Waterford manager John Kiely and displaying the attacking talents of Paul Whyte. Surprise packets Ballinameela and Gaultier will find it difficult to replicate a semi final place this year but should be able to survive in the senior ranks. Intermediate champions Clashmore could secure a quarter final slot with St Saviours, Rathgormack and Brickey Rangers all destined for a relegation scrap.
There’s little to separate the top three teams in the county but Ballinacourty’s time has come to get one over on their rivals in a final. Three finals in four years is a mark of consistency but one win out of those three appearances is a record they will seek to address. At the other end of the scale St Saviours may well slip into the intermediate grade for next year.
First round previews
14 April
Ballinacourty v St Saviours (7.30 at Leamybrien) Group 2
With an array of inter county men at their disposal this presents an easy opener for last year’s runners-up. Saviours will look to Nicky Jacob as they seek another year of survival.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/7 Draw 9/1 St Saviours 5/1
Prediction: Ballinacourty
Brickey Rangers v An Rinn (7.30 at Ardmore) Group 3
An Rinn promised much in the group stages last year defeating eventual champions Stradbally. They disappointed in the quarter finals but if Liam O’Lionain returns to action here they can get this season off on a high note. Brickeys will be severely weakened by Conor McGrath’s decision to emigrate.
Odds: Brickeys 7/2 Draw 9/1 An Rinn 2/9
Prediction: An Rinn
Gaultier v Ballinameela (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 3
Two of last year’s surprise semi finalists meet here and both will fancy their prospects of advancing from the weakest group of the three. Ballinameela will rely on Eamonn Walsh, Brian Phelan and Eoghan Walsh but Gaultier may prove too strong with JJ Hutchinson to call upon.
Odds: Gaultier evens Draw 6/1 Ballinameela evens
Prediction: Gaultier
15 April
The Nire v Rathgormack (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Rathgormack survived the drop in 2010 and will seek improvement in this campaign. They drew with the Nire last year but the Ballymac side should make no mistake this time around.
Odds: Nire 1/6 Draw 9/1 Rathgormack 9/2
Prediction: The Nire
Stradbally v Kilrossanty (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Sunday’s game in Dungarvan promises to be the tie of the opening round. Kilrossanty’s rising stars Tommy Prendergast, Joey Veale and Paul Whyte should put it up to the Reds who begin the quest for three in a row. Their class will eventually come to the fore to ensure a narrow win.
Odds: Stradbally 1/4 Draw 8/1 Kilrossanty 10/3
Prediction: Stradbally
Clashmore v Ardmore (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
This marks the return to senior football for Clashmore and they will target a win here with Cillian O’Keeffe and Sean Fleming to lead their charge. With the experience of the Hennessys and the Prendergasts however Ardmore appear to have enough to shade this one.
Odds: Clashmore 13/8 Draw 6/1 Ardmore 8/13
Prediction: Ardmore
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