Push for progression and promotion – Waterford v Clare preview

A judgement call could be made on the Waterford footballers’ season by April 6. To move forward from that close shave in Salthill, winning momentum must be built from the league. They only managed three in that column between league and championship during 2013. 

At the very least, they will strive to sustain an interest in promotion by the closing rounds. That hasn’t been the case in the last two campaigns which concluded with underwhelming sixth and fifth placed finishes respectively. Bright spots certainly like the Aughrim ambush in 2012 and two opening triumphs in 2013 but more than a whiff of inconsistency overall. Fermanagh, Carlow, London, Limerick and Offaly all drove home with points banked from visits to the Déise. Four home games this time around present the possibility of a sustained push at the sharp end. Clare, London, Leitrim and Carlow comprise the travelling party.

Carew has settled on a tight knit panel willing to exert everything . No half measures accepted. “It took a full year for players to realise what commitment it takes to play at this level. Any of the lads that have dropped themselves off the panel or if I have dropped them it’s for reasons all to do with commitment and work does take over for a lot of lads. Unfortunately, Gaelic Football has to be top of the list. Everything else has to come second and third and that includes work unfortunately.” The management team, boosted by former Kildare campaigner Ronan Sweeney, are much happier with their lead in to the league than twelve months ago.

Carew throws three newbies into the first round on Sunday (Dean Crowley, Declan Allen and Wayne Hutchinson). The selected fifteen shows five changes in all from the one point qualifier loss to Galway. Tom Wall deputises for Stephen Enright. John Kiely routinely sang his praises and in the 2009 league, he allowed only a single goal past. Wall started for the junior team in their run to the Munster final last year. Debutant Dean Crowley of St Saviours and the returning Kieran Connery flank Thomas O’Gorman in the full back line. Carew praised Crowley for his recent performances on the challenge trail and that clearly twisted his arm. Declan Allen, a bossy presence at midfield for Clashmore, starts at number 12. He was introduced with a handful of minutes left in Salthill. Wayne Hutchinson is named in the corner but is more likely to drift. A strong ball winner for Gaultier during the club championship, at either midfield or centre forward, he kept them clear of the trap door. Enright, Niall Walsh, Maurice O’Gorman, Andy Doyle and Gary Hurney make up the missing men. 

Despite battering away annually, Clare cannot negotiate an escape route from Division 4. They haven’t given up hope with Cratloe’s Colm Collins now in charge. They also include three fresh faces in Pierse Deloughrey, Martin O’Leary and Jamie Malone. Three Kilmurry Ibrickane members are listed in defence. Midfielder Gary Brennan is a Railway Cup regular and can pop points also. He looks certain to slug it out with Tommy Prendergast. Speed merchant Sean Collins returns to the big ball at wing forward. David Tubridy’s threat requires no introduction. He scored 1-31 in last year’s league. Podge Collins is listed among the substitutes.

In inconvenient weather and without competitive McGrath Cup game time, expect a low scoring encounter. Fergal Kelly’s implementation of the new rules will also be monitored as these two acclimatise. If Thomas O’Gorman can tie up Tubridy and Paul Whyte receives enough ammunition, Waterford can begin to look onwards and upwards.

Waterford: T Wall; D Crowley, T O'Gorman, K Connery; C O'Keeffe, S Briggs, C Phelan; T Prendergast, S Ahearne; T Grey, B Wall, D Allen; W Hutchinson, P Whyte, L Ó Lonáin.

Clare: P Deloughrey; D Ryan, K Harnett, M McMahon; S Hickey, E Coughlan, M Murphy; C O’Connor, G Brennan; S Brennan, S McGrath, S Collins; M O’Leary, D Tubridy, J Malone.

Referee: F Kelly (Longford)

Odds: Waterford Evens Draw 15/2 Clare Evens

Recent clashes with Clare

2013 League at Miltown Malbay
Waterford 1-9 Clare 0-11

2012 League at Cusack Park
Clare 1-17 Waterford 0-12

2010 Championship at Fraher Field
Waterford 1-10 Clare 0-9

2010 League at Fraher Field
Waterford 0-20 Clare 2-5

2009 League at Cusack Park
Waterford 0-15 Clare 0-12

2008 Championship at Cusack Park
Clare 0-9 Waterford 0-7

2008 League at Fraher Field
Waterford 1-13 Clare 0-10

2007 Championship at Fraher Field
Waterford 1-6 Clare 0-7