Hurling Chart Toppers 2014 - Mahony leads the way

Waterford League & Championship Scorers

Pauric Mahony 2-87
Austin Gleeson 1-10
Brian O’Sullivan 0-12
Shane Walsh 2-5
Colin Dunford 2-4
Ray Barry 0-9
Jake Dillon 0-8
Seamus Prendergast 0-6
Ryan Donnelly 0-5
Kevin Moran 0-5
Maurice Shanahan 0-4
Darragh Fives 1-1
Stephen Molumphy 0-4
Jamie Nagle 0-3
Gavin O’Brien 0-2
Philip Mahony 0-2
Stephen Roche 0-2
Shane O’Sullivan 0-2
Jamie Barron 0-1
Tadhg De Burca 0-1
Richie Foley 0-1

Waterford SHC Top Ten

Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) 0-67
Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) 1-60
Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore) 4-47
Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) 3-47
Martin O’Neill (Mount Sion) 0-52
Maurice Shanahan (Lismore) 4-35
Owen Connors (Passage) 1-38
Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner) 4-28
Patrick Curran (Dungarvan) 3-29
Jake Dillon (De La Salle) 1-32

Football Chart Toppers 2014 - Whyte & Ryan reach number one

 

Waterford League & Championship Scorers

Paul Whyte 3-38
Shane Ahearne 1-15
JJ Hutchinson 0-16
Liam Ó Lonáin 3-8
Shane Briggs 0-5
Tony Grey 0-4
Declan Allen 0-4
Michael O’Gorman 0-2
Conor Phelan 0-2
Lorcan Ó Corraoin 0-1
Wayne Hutchinson 0-1
Oran Keevers 0-1
Tadhg Ó hUallacháin 0-1
Michael Curry 0-1
Tommy Prendergast 0-1

 

Waterford SFC Top Ten

Shane Ryan (The Nire) 6-28
Donie Breathnach (An Rinn) 1-34
Mark Ferncombe (Ballinacourty) 5-19
JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier) 2-26
Shane Ahearne (Stradbally) 1-23
Patrick Hurney (Ballinacourty) 2-17
Michael Sweeney (Stradbally) 3-12
Liam Lawlor (The Nire) 2-14
Bilí Breathnach (An Rinn) 2-14
Robert Ahearne (Stradbally) 2-14
Gavin Nugent (Rathgormack) 0-20

GAA Christmas Crackers 2014 – Quotes of the Year

“We will let them have a pint tonight, I don’t believe that it’s the worst thing possible that you can do in GAA to let fellas have an aul pint after being off it since Christmas!”
Anthony Daly allows the Dubs celebrate survival in Division 1A after a 4-13 to 1-17 play-off win against Waterford at Walsh Park.

“I just said to him he was lucky he got it because he made a balls of the first goal!”
Waterford minor bainsteoir Derek Lyons forgives goalkeeper Billy Nolan for an earlier error as the Roanmore stopper produced a wonder injury time save against Clare.

“He’s a better player than Cooper, he is one of the greatest I have ever seen. In my opinion, Cooper is a two trick pony.”
Following Kerry’s quarter final win over Galway, Martin McHugh got carried away with the scoring exploits of James O’Donoghue.

“I don’t know. I have no real phenomenal feelings. You want to win, you want to lose. We neither won nor lost. I am as I am, to be honest.”
Despite the 54 score thriller that unfolded at Croke Park, Brian Cody remained composed in the post-match press conference.

“They were handed an opportunity which was a complete wrong decision. We didn’t speak about it the last day but it was criminal what was done the last day. And people can say that I am whinging and moaning all they like but I am telling the truth.”
On a Sunday morning in City West, following Kilkenny’s replay triumph, Cody blasted Barry Kelly’s late call against Brian Hogan in the drawn game.

“Father Cullinane, he couldn’t make it but he has been unbelievable for us. We had a good mass this morning, he mentioned the match an awful lot during the mass and it was brilliant!”
Manager Adrian Meagher describes 8 am mass in Ballysaggart to accommodate the All Ireland semi final trip to Tullamore. The blue and navy hammered Sligo champions Calry/St Josephs by 4-13 to 0-8.

“In Conor Gleeson, I believe that The Nire have the best minor footballer in Munster never mind Waterford. If he could come in under the radar against Stradbally, he could punish them. He can score off either foot and he has got a great football brain.”
The words of former Waterford football manager John Kiely in Saturday’s Examiner prior to the county final. Man of the match Gleeson shot five from play and the Conway Cup returned to The Nire.

“That bloody knee of mine is giving me trouble with years. I just got a bit of a twist. I got a reminder that I shouldn’t be out in the middle of the field. Fair is fair. Dessie even said: ‘you eejit why don’t you run around the pitch’. He’s dead right!”
The Nire manager Benji Whelan saw the funny side after he injured his knee while delivering instructions during the county final. Referee Dessie O’Leary ushered him to the far side of the field.

“I just want to make one point clear, I’m only doing this interview for Billy Joe Padden.”
Armagh boss Paul Grimley breaks the media ban to speak with a former Orchard county player on Newstalk.

“It’s not a centre of excellence, there’s two fields there, how is that a centre of excellence? If I was a club person I would be looking for a review of that. That’s going to turn out as a centre of mediocrity.”
Dónal Óg Cusack criticises plans for the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh as Cork limp out of the championship to Tipperary.

“Joe Brolly told us the production line was finished in Kerry. Well Joe Brolly, what do you think of that?!”
A newspaper article earlier in the season prompted an emphatic reaction from All Ireland final goalscorer Kieran Donaghy.

Banner takeover in tale of two halves - Clare 2-20 Waterford 0-17

In a challenge game of two halves on Wednesday night at Fraher Field, an unfamiliar Clare side zipped the ball about with confidence and sprinted clear of their hosts. They shot a jaw dropping 2-14 in the second half as opposed to just four points.

Clare punished Waterford’s wastefulness during the first period. They spurned six chances over the opening twenty minutes. Shane Bennett missed two, Kevin Moran struck the post, Thomas Connors saw his shot saved by Donal Tuohy while Jake Dillon and Martin O’Neill sent their efforts astray. Waterford had also recorded eight wides by the time they reached the dressing rooms. David Reidy and Darach Honan made no mistake at the road goal after the break. Bobby Duggan was a danger from start to finish and scored eight points (five frees and three from play). Aaron Cunningham walloped three in the second half.

Waterford practically fielded two different teams as only Barry Coughlan, John Morrissey, Austin Gleeson and Donie Breathnach lasted the full seventy. Martin O’Neill, Donie Breathnach and Austin Gleeson gave a good account of themselves but the eleven substitutes appeared to disrupt a positive first half and it was hard for the new recruits to stand out.

49 different players were used between both sides (26 for Waterford and 23 for Clare). Davy Fitzgerald started with seven All Ireland under 21 winners but turned to the likes of Patrick Kelly, Brendan Bugler, Nicky O'Connell and Darach Honan in the second half. Eleven of Derek McGrath’s fifteen had previous senior championship experience. He emptied an inexperienced subs bench after the break.

The home side only scored seven points from play compared to Clare’s 2-14. Two of the six starting forwards registered (Thomas Connors and Tom Devine). Substitutes Tommy Waring, Eamonn Power and Pa O’Donovan all got on the scoresheet but they weren’t on long enough to perform a decent audition. Kevin Moran and Michael Walsh started in the half forward line and the latter spent time at full forward. He distributed the ball around yet looked uncomfortable when turning to shoot. Tom Devine lined out at fourteen and made a couple of good contributions but couldn’t win the ball cleanly.

A fabulous display of free taking from Martin O'Neill powered Waterford into a commanding position by half time (0-13 to 0-6). Clare duo Bobby Duggan and Cathal O’Connell sparkled early on with two points apiece before O’Neill took centre stage. The Mount Sion marksman was particularly impressive from distance. He fired in five frees, four 65s and one from play. A nice point tight to the sideline by Thomas Connors opened up a five point gap (0-9 to 0-4). Clare went 18 minutes without a score before Duggan grabbed two back. O’Neill finished the half with three in a row to bring his personal total to ten and Tom Devine charged through the centre to blast over.

Waterford should have rattled the cobwebs at least once by that stage as they showed an appetite for goals instead tapping over easy points. Shane Bennett's shot was blocked in the second minute after a Jake Dillon pass. A flowing move started by Austin Gleeson featured contributions from Donie Breathnach and Thomas Connors before Dillon shot wide. Bennett fed Kevin Moran but his rasper struck the left hand post. Connors then forced Donal Tuohy to save. These four chances occurred inside the first ten minutes. Bennett approached from the right wing on 12 minutes but fluffed his lines and the sliotar scuttled harmlessly wide. Martin O'Neill was at the end of opportunity number six and his effort whizzed narrowly wide.

It was a different tale from the start of the second period as Fitzgerald’s men bagged 1-4 without reply. Six minutes in, Ian O’Regan got a stick to David Reidy’s shot but couldn’t keep it out and the ball nestled in the bottom corner. Duggan followed that up with a sweet point straight off his stick as Clare took over and implemented their short game. O’Neill lit up the first half but didn’t reappear and the host of changes appeared to weaken the home team.

A fine brace from Aaron Cunningham allowed the Banner hit the front and substitute Mikey O'Malley also helped himself to two points. Eamonn Power and Pa O'Donovan briefly interrupted but Clare were utterly on top as Brendan Bugler launched one from midfield and Bobby Duggan continued to pick off his scores. Seven minutes from the finish, Darach Honan pounced on a spillage by substitute goalkeeper Eddie Lynch and his goal settled the outcome emphatically. Waterford's challenge petered out yet the glut of missed chances and the chopping and changing undertaken in the second half skewed the final score somewhat. Certainly if the first half team stayed on the field, it would have been a lot closer at the end.

The management team looked at 36 players over the four December games and attempted to mix and match the old and the new. Martin O'Neill's prolific outings against Galway and Clare and Michael Kearney's input of 1-3 versus Dublin made a persuasive case for more minutes in 2015. Apart from those two, it was very hard to pick out other players that will shake up the panel. How many newbies will be integrated into the first team and where McGrath will accommodate the various pieces will create plenty of discussion into the New Year especially when players like Tadhg De Burca, Philip Mahony, Jamie Barron, Colin Dunford and Stephen Bennett are available for selection. One of these conundrums is the positioning of Michael Walsh. Combinations must be settled upon ahead of the trip to the Gaelic Grounds in February and understandings will have to develop. More tweaking can be expected when Davy Fitzgerald visits Waterford on January 11 with his LIT side for the preliminary round of the Crystal Cup. Results will mean a lot more at that stage.

Scorers for Waterford: M O’Neill 0-10 (5fs, 4 65s), D Breathnach 0-2 (1f), T Connors, T Devine, T Waring, P O’Donovan, E Power 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: B Duggan 0-8 (5fs), D Reidy 1-1, D Honan 1-0, A Cunningham 0-3, C O’Connell, D Keane (1f), M O’Malley 0-2 each, B Bugler, N O’Connell 0-1 each.

Waterford: I O’Regan; S Fives, B Coughlan, J Morrissey; G O’Brien, A Gleeson, S O’Sullivan; M O’Neill, D Breathnach; K Moran, T Connors, M Walsh; S Bennett, T Devine, J Dillon.

Subs used: M O’Brien, DJ Foran, M Harney, P O’Donovan, T Waring, C Curran, P Walsh, M Flynn, C Murray, E Power, E Lynch.

Clare: D Tuohy; D O’Donovan, C Duggan, S McNamara; G O’Connell, C Cleary, P Flanagan; E Enright, S O’Halloran; D Keane, B Duggan, C Malone; C O’Connell, D Reidy, A Cunningham.

Subs used: P O’Connor, B Bugler, N O’Connell, D Honan, S Golden, M O’Malley, P Kelly, D McInerney.

Referee: M O’Brien (Waterford)

Galway 0-22 Waterford 0-20 - Senior Hurling Challenge

A rainy and gloomy Saturday afternoon in Rathkeale was the setting to get a first glimpse of the Waterford senior hurlers in action. No shelter to shield the elements at the secluded Limerick ground as these two teams commenced the experimentation for the 2015 season.

It’s hard to wrap your head around challenge matches when Christmas songs are on the radio. This game felt too far away from any of the competitive stuff to make any concrete judgements on new players or fresh combinations. Very early to judge if Gavin O'Brien will stake a claim in the half back line, if Martin O'Neill will become first choice free taker or if the three All Ireland minor medallists (Shane Bennett, Cormac Curran and Michael Kearney) will make the cut. Curiosity is the main attraction of these affairs with observers searching for clues rather than results. The odd socks and shorts in evidence also gave the impression that everyone was only waking up to the idea that the inter county campaign has started all over again. Referee Fergal Horgan only interfered when absolutely necessary.

The Tribesmen fared better facing into the breeze and only for six late wides, they would have won by a more comfortable margin. Ten different maroon sources chipped in with scores. Established names like Conor Cooney, James Regan and David Collins made their presence felt and we may hear more from bolters Dean Higgins, Brian Molloy and Eanna Burke.

20 players togged out for Derek McGrath’s side. Martin O’Neill was the standout performer with eleven points (seven frees and four from play). He operated along the half forward line and stroked over a few massive singles. Wing back Pa Walsh from Passage picked out his passes and looked comfortable in possession. Shane Bennett and Mikey Kearney were enthusiastic in the corners and kept trying things even if some didn’t come off. Ian O’Regan could be pleased with his clean sheet and denied Brian Molloy and James Regan at the start of the second half. His puckouts were faultless throughout. Cappoquin’s Munster final hero Conor Murray made a difference around the middle as a second half sub and finished off a lengthy solo run. Colligan duo John Morrissey and Mark Flynn did a tidy job in the full back line when introduced. Eamonn Power and Eoin Madigan also got game time. Thomas Connors (three points) and Brian O’Halloran (two points) did their best work during the first half.

With wind assistance, Waterford led by 0-14 to 0-12 at half time. The scores came at a typical challenge game speed initially. Ten over the first ten minutes and 18 by the twentieth minute. Waterford zipped 0-7 to 0-3 ahead. Shane Bennett sent over an absolute beauty from 60 metres tight to the sideline. Martin O’Neill and Thomas Connors grabbed two each with Brian O’Halloran and Cormac Curran also accurate. Galway’s early efforts held up in the breeze but they quickly acclimatised. Conor Cooney’s free taking along with fine points by Dean Higgins, Brian Molloy and Jason Flynn narrowed to two. Substitute Molloy (who featured in the 2013 minor All Ireland) accounted for three sharp scores before the break and wing back Colm Flynn struck from distance. O’Neill ended the half with his first from play out on the left flank.

Galway centre back David Collins charged forward for the opening point of the second half as Anthony Cunningham’s side took control. Ian O’Regan stopped certain goals from Brian Molloy and James Regan. The second of those was a spectacular flick away for a 65. The scores arrived at a slower pace with both sides lacking that touch of precision with the shot or final pass at times.

A rapid double from Regan regained the lead for Galway (0-15 to 0-14). All Ireland medallist with the St Thomas club Eanna Burke and wing back Gearoid McInerney stretched that out to three as Waterford introduced five substitutes at the same time. After sixteen minutes without a score, O’Neill judged a huge point from 65 metres. He was striking the ball with confidence and added two more to level the match. He maintained Waterford’s interest as he answered points from Eanna Burke and Cathal Mannion to leave it 19 points each entering the final ten minutes.

Galway had plenty of opportunities to gallop towards the winning post. After Mannion edged them in front, they amassed six wides in a row. Eventually, Dean Higgins gave them some comfort and Conor Cooney settled the outcome. Eoin Madigan was unfortunate with a goal chance for Waterford on 65 minutes and Conor Murray got a cracking score after a rapid dash from midfield.

On this blustery day, in an unglamorous venue, those on the fringes gave a good account of themselves and several rookies also left a positive first impression. Not much more to learn from these odd challenge matches in December. It's not the most wonderful time of the year for inter county hurling but those few hints make it worthwhile nonetheless.

Scorers for Galway: C Cooney 0-6 (2fs), D Higgins, B Molloy 0-3 each, C Mannion, E Burke, J Regan 0-2 each, D Collins, C Flynn, G McInerney, J Flynn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: M O’Neill 0-11 (7fs), T Connors 0-3, B O’Halloran, S Bennett 0-2 each, C Curran, C Murray 0-1 each.

Galway: C Callanan; D O’Donoghue, J Hanbury, S Morrissey; G McInerney, D Collins, C Flynn; K Hynes, J Cooney; D Higgins, C Cooney, C Mannion; J Regan, P Mannion, J Flynn.

Subs used: B Molloy, E Burke, J Kennedy, G Kelly.

Waterford: I O’Regan; S McNulty, B Coughlan, P Prendergast; G O’Brien, T De Burca, P Walsh; K Moran, S Fives; M O’Neill, T Connors, B O’Halloran; S Bennett, C Curran, M Kearney.

Subs used: J Morrissey, M Flynn, E Madigan, E Power, C Murray.

Referee: F Horgan

Kearney wrapped up in Modeligo mission

At 27 years of age, Pa Kearney leads Modeligo into their first ever Munster final. Another exciting challenge for both club and coach.

The switch to management mode was a straightforward decision for the former Waterford hurler after a car accident in 2009 cut short his playing days. “When you miss the game and you can’t play it anymore, it’s the next best thing.”

Opportunities arose quickly for the Ballyduff Upper man. He linked up with the Waterford minor hurlers in 2012 as selector and also assisted his local club in both hurling and football. He answered Modeligo’s call this season. “I had a tremendous experience with the minors a few years ago and a bit of coaching with my club alongside Maurice Geary which was a great experience for me also. Places like Modeligo show you the real value of a small club. Everyone getting on with you down there and taking you in can really help you throughout the year.”

Kearney crossed the bridge immediately and left a promising playing career behind. He represented the county at minor, under 21 and senior grades. In 2007, he helped restore the Reds to number one. The corner forward netted a first half goal in the county final against Ballygunner. A senior call-up followed from Justin McCarthy a year later and he was a member of Davy Fitzgerald’s squad that reached the 2008 All Ireland final.

His love of the game remains untainted. Modeligo’s march on Munster has provided plenty of thrills. “Nothing beats being right in the thick of it, whether it be a player or a sub or part of the backroom team. Everyone gets sucked into it, whether it be a first round game or a county final. Hurling is a great game and it’s a big part of my life. You would get sucked in. For me alone and Modeligo, the feeling after the last few victories has just been unbelievable.”

Kearney agreed that the Munster semi final against Feohanagh-Castlemahon posed their toughest test of 2014. After a free flowing first half, they trailed by 1-11 to 0-10. “It was the first time we were behind all year to be honest about it. Anyone who was at it could see it was a fine hurling game. It was tit for tat. It was just the unfortunate goal that we left in before half time that gave them the edge. Looking back at the first half as a whole, we were every bit as good as them so we knew we would get chances. Thankfully we got them early in the second half, which was vital.”

They looted 2-7 on the resumption but Kearney diverted attention to the backs for strangling the life out of the home attack and limiting them to just two scores. “We got the 1-2 early enough and went ahead. We managed to tack on a few scores and keep them at bay at the back. Our half back line and full back line stood strong at that time and they didn’t end up scoring until the last minute of the second half which was exceptional out of our set of backs. That doesn’t happen every day but we have to give them credit for that day alone anyway!”

The five week gap between the lop-sided county final versus Bonmahon (2-25 to 0-8) and provincial semi final proved a bit troublesome beforehand. “Against Bonmahon we got the upper hand. When we got a lead, we kept it so it wasn’t a full blooded sixty minute match. Looking into a five week break, it was a long time to keep people going especially with the change of weather, people in colleges and it’s very hard to get challenge games. We were lucky enough that we got two challenge games. It was only the second time that Modeligo were playing in the Munster championship so there was a hunger to get a win.”

Modeligo started the season from a position of strength. They nearly derailed the Ballysaggart train last year. The blue and navy needed a replay before defeating the green and white at the semi final stage of the Western championship. Kearney made subtle alterations to their playing style. “They had a pretty good year last year. They were slow starting but they ended it very well and were a bit unfortunate. Coming in, it was just to bring a new voice, somebody young to work with them I suppose and get them to buy into it. Along with the selectors, we agreed that we might try and impose a type of game. It’s gone well so far. They were good hurlers already, it was just some fine tuning.”

Final opponents Castlemartyr wriggled out of the Cork junior championship for the first time in 50 years. In the county final, they outscored Ballinhassig by thirteen points to nil in a remarkable second half turnaround. Modeligo acknowledge the potency of inter county pair Brian and Barry Lawton who compiled eleven points out of 1-16 in the recent win over Kenmare. “One is a Cork senior hurler and one is a Cork intermediate hurler and they have been playing with Imokilly who are a Cork senior team also. They are definitely of a high standard. At this stage, everyone knows what to expect to a certain degree out of every team. We will have an idea and they certainly will have an idea. It’s just about who clicks and what team it goes right for on the day and hopefully it will be us.”

Totally immersed in Modeligo and ready to greet Munster final day. Kearney is right where he wants to be. Back in the thick of the action.