Opportunity knocks for Courty - Munster quarter final preview

 

Despite making three Munster final appearances in the last decade (2004, 2006 and 2007), it’s hardly been a rich return for Déise sides in this company. Since the turn of the millennium, Waterford clubs have won five, drawn two and lost eleven out of eighteen provincial ties. Stradbally were the last team to record a win back in 2010 (0-7 to 0-4 over Doonbeg). Taxing and physically exhausting county finals haven’t helped their cause. In 2003 and 2008, the championship didn’t finish on schedule to meet the Munster deadlines. Ballinacourty are better placed to boost that record.

With a fortnight to retune the dial, Courty should arrive with a fresh appetite to kick on for the rest of the winter. Eight wins out of eight in the county by an average margin of eleven points breathes confidence. The forwards have reached the dizzy digits of around 19 points per game and the backs are letting through less than nine on average. A wholesome team performance knocked Stradbally over by seven. Eight different players split the uprights and they only conceded two points in 54 minutes of football. The bite was back in their play and that really showed in how they scoffed the breaks and surrounded the Red shirts in numbers. John Hurney’s suspension is the only minus mark ahead of the weekend.

Drom Broadford have collected seven out of twelve on Shannonside (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013) and lifted the Munster cup in 2008. In their latest triumph over Monaleen, they emerged as two point victors but bossed the game for the majority. New recruit Killian Phair from Cavan, was responsible for 1-3. He previously won county crowns in his native county and in London. Man of the match Gareth Noonan and Seanie Buckley are their only two current county representatives. Jason Stokes and evergreen attacker Michael Reidy soldiered under Liam Kearns when Limerick narrowly lost back to back Munster finals against Kerry in 2003 and 2004. They will start without full back Tom McLoughlin on Sunday.

This quarter final will be settled around the centre. Seanie Buckley resides there for the visitors and his creative influence will need to be curbed. Courty clearly studied Stradbally’s kick outs and they used Gary Hurney’s height to gain a leg up. They are unlikely to exert a similar vice like grip on this occasion and their hunger for dirty ball will have to be as high as two weeks ago. With Dr Crokes and Castlehaven on the opposite side of the draw and the Clare championship in disarray, a Munster final appearance is within the grasp of Sunday’s victors. Courty’s midfield (helped by attack minded half backs and hard running half forwards) can provide the platform to get around awkward opponents.

Ballinacourty 4/6 Draw 7/1 Drom Broadford 6/4

Prediction: Ballinacourty

Waterford's Munster club football record (2000-2012)

2000 quarter final

Moyle Rovers 2-2 The Nire 0-7

2001 quarter final
Drom Broadford 2-9 Stradbally 0-9

2002 quarter final
Monaleen 1-12 Stradbally 2-6

2003
No Waterford representative

2004 quarter final
Stradbally 0-11 Loughmore Castleiney 1-7

2004 semi final
Stradbally 1-12 Bishopstown 0-12

2004 final
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-9

2004 final replay
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-8

2005 semi final
Nemo Rangers 1-14 Stradbally 0-10

2006 semi final
The Nire 1-6 Aherlow 1-6

2006 semi final replay
The Nire 1-10 Aherlow 0-6

2006 final
Dr Crokes 2-5 The Nire 0-8

2007 semi final
Ballinacourty 2-6 Kilcummin 0-8

2007 final
Nemo Rangers 1-10 Ballinacourty 1-7

2008
No Waterford representative

2009 semi final
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-6

2010 quarter final
Stradbally 0-7 Doonbeg 0-4

2010 semi final
Nemo Rangers 1-12 Stradbally 1-5

2011 quarter final
Dr Crokes 3-13 Ballinacourty 0-7

2012 semi final
Castlehaven 1-5 Stradbally 0-7