Waterford SHC Round 2 Previews

12 May
Fourmilewater v De La Salle (6.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
The championship will be decided in the autumn but these two sides already look primed for knock out hurling. Fourmilewater’s need is greater as they seek to announce themselves as true title challengers and they will look to an inside line of Shane Ryan, Shane Walsh and Jamie Barron to break down the De La Salle rearguard. On the other side, Jake Dillon and Jack Kennedy terrorised Mount Sion last Friday night as they took a firm grip early on. They will seek to do the same here and wipe away any lofty ambitions that Fourmilewater hold. John Mullane is also unlikely to be kept under wraps for a second week running.
Odds: Fourmilewater 9/4 Draw 10/1 De La Salle 4/11
Prediction: De La Salle

Tallow v Roanmore (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Evan Sheehan and Robert O’Sullivan rose to the challenge for Tallow last time out as the likes of Thomas Ryan and Paul O’Brien enjoyed quieter outings. Roanmore meanwhile, looked way off the pace on day one and if Tallow can get everyone firing they should collect their second win.
Odds: Tallow 2/9 Draw 12/1 Roanmore 10/3
Prediction: Tallow

Abbeyside v Passage (7.30 at Walsh Park) Group 1
Possibly the most difficult game to predict of the weekend. Passage come into it on the back of a positive start and the advantage of playing in Walsh Park but can they eradicate their inconsistent form of recent years? Their opponents lacked the firepower to defeat Ballygunner but still showed signs of progression from the last two seasons.
Odds: Abbeyside 11/10 Draw 8/1 Passage 5/6
Prediction: Passage

13 May
Dunhill v Mount Sion (2.00 at Walsh Park) Group 2
Dunhill showed the necessary appetite for the senior grade last weekend and that sort of attitude will be required once more against opponents looking to bounce back. Martin O’Neill carried the scoring burden for Sion against De La Salle and more of their younger players need to step up in a similar manner to contend at the tail end of the year.
Odds: Dunhill 5/1 Draw 14/1 Mount Sion 1/8
Prediction: Mount Sion

Ballygunner v Dungarvan (3.30 at Walsh Park) Group 1
An up and coming Dungarvan side will want to build on the fright they gave to Lismore last weekend. While the Gunners never hit top form against Abbeyside, they always appeared in control especially with Stephen Power’s accuracy. This clash may prove close for large parts but expect the champions to navigate a safe passage by the final quarter.
Odds: Ballygunner 1/4 Draw 11/1 Dungarvan 3/1
Prediction: Ballygunner

Lismore v Ballyduff Upper (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Lismore answered every question posed against Dungarvan especially when it counted in injury time. Another defeat for Ballyduff will leave them contemplating the “R” word so they should come here with all guns blazing but how can they contain Maurice Shanahan?
Odds: Lismore 4/7 Draw 8/1 Ballyduff Upper 13/8
Prediction: Lismore