Harty Cup Semi Final
Coláistí na nDéise v De La Salle
4/2/2012 Fraher Field 2.30
The muscle of De La Salle comes face to face with the flair of Coláistí na nDéise in an intriguing all Waterford semi final in Dungarvan on Saturday afternoon. The two time champions rely heavily on Darragh Flynn’s ability from frees and will need a greater return from the rest of the attack to prevail here. The most noticeable characteristic of the city side is their height and strength around the field. While they may lack an ace or two in attack they make up for it in defence and midfield. Goalkeeper Mark Sheridan performed superbly in the quarter final to keep a clean sheet and Paul Coughlan also provides solid cover in front of him. Adam O’Sullivan, Austin Gleeson and Sam O’Neill form their strongest sector in the half back line while Chris Breheny and Shane McNulty provide a skilful partnership at centre field. If Coláistí na nDéise are to continue on their remarkable journey, Cathal Curran, Michael Harney, Kevin Daly and Colin Dunford will all need to put their solider to the wheel after their heroics against Flannan’s. They will look to use their pace and stick work to expose any weaknesses in the opposition. Their attack is also better balanced than that of De La Salle and rarely waste opportunities in front of goal. In the last Harty meeting between the sides four years ago De La Salle came out on top by 5-11 to 0-6. On this occasion, Coláistí na nDéise come in with the greater momentum and are now regarded as favourites for the competition. They may find De La Salle’s teak tough defence, size around the field and uncompromising style as a bridge too far however.
Odds: Coláistí na nDéise 4/7 Draw 8/1 De La Salle 13/8
Waterford Crystal Quarter Final
Waterford v UCC
5/2/2012 Carriganore 2.00
The first opportunity for the vast bulk of the Waterford faithful to cast an eye over the progress of Michael Ryan’s charges comes on Sunday at the Carriganore complex. Davy Fitzgerald always held this competition in high regard and back to back titles in 2010 and 2011 serves as evidence of that. Ryan will also be eager to build up some early momentum while continuing to experiment. Soon the sizeable panel will be cut down to more manageable levels with Dean Twomey, Paudie Nevin and Gavin O’Brien looking most likely at this early stage to break onto the thirty man panel while the return of Brian O’Halloran also offers another viable attacking option.
The students commenced their Fitzgibbon Cup programme with a facile win against DCU on Wednesday evening and given the fact that they host the finals weekend in March, all attention will be focussed on making no mistake in the group stages. Darragh Fives, Philip Mahony, Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Sullivan could all feature here for the Cork college along with other inter county players like William Egan (Cork) and Shane Bourke (Tipperary). Home advantage and UCC’s Fitzgibbon commitments should tilt the balance towards a first competitive win for the Ryan regime.
NFL Division 4 Round 1
Clare v Waterford
5/2/2012 Cusack Park, Ennis 2.30
In a savagely competitive bottom tier there is little room for error and even in the month of February this fixture is arguably one of the most important of the year for John Owens and his squad. Even with eight absentees from last year’s panel and shorn of a third of the team that lined out against Cork in the Munster championship Owens has reason to feel optimistic. Newly appointed captain Gary Hurney is looking sharp in pre season along with Liam O’Lionain. Gavin Nugent has also made an early impression and could break into the starting fifteen. The defensive gaps left by the O’Gorman twins will prove more difficult to fill and in a tight game like this Clare can use this to their advantage. David Tubridy continues to carry the scoring burden for the Banner men but the likes of Gary Brennan and David Russell can also step up the mark and take the opening pair of league points.
Odds: Clare 4/5 Draw 7/1 Waterford 5/4
All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Semi Final
Lismore v Ardrahan
5/2/2012 Fraher Field 2.30
The carrot of a trip to Croke Park for the All Ireland final is on offer for the winners here as the Waterford champions enjoy the familiar surroundings of Fraher Field for this last four clash. Lismore slipped up against Eoghan Rua of Derry at this juncture last year and with a sizeable contingent of Waterford’s All Ireland winning side on board they can go a step further this time around.
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