Waterford ready to build on first impression

Waterford have won the last nine league engagements with Laois. 1984 was the last time that the O’Moore County got the better of the Déise in a play-off game played in Carlow. They won by 1-12 to 1-3 on that occasion as their opponents drifted away to Division 2.

Waterford are rated as 1/8 to collect another win against the Midlands men. Derek McGrath is wary of a backlash however following the results from round one. “We have a massive game particularly given the fact that Offaly have won. Amongst themselves, Laois would have said that they underperformed against us in Walsh Park. It’s my honest view that there is nothing between any of the teams in 1B.”

The performance and the result in the Gaelic Grounds puts their name in the hat for promotion. They could have won it but nearly lost it. McGrath’s side looked purposeful in possession last weekend and tailored their deliveries to suit the type of forwards inside. Their accuracy from distance was a striking feature of the seventy. They also had a lean and mean appearance when contesting possession. Management want to see no surrender in their demeanour this year and they didn’t throw in the towel when faced with adversity last Saturday. “We just want to continue to work hard and get the people of Waterford behind us,” McGrath explained. “Someone said to me that there is a bit of apathy out there for Waterford hurling at the moment. I can assure you that these lads, the 34 or 35 that are on the panel, are working hard for Waterford, for each other, for their families and clubs. We are playing and fighting for each other and fighting for the jersey on our backs. That might sound old school but that’s what we are doing every time we go out on the field.”

The fact that WIT didn’t tog out this week will work in their favour with five panel members tied up with the Fitzgibbon Cup. Although Waterford have announced an unchanged line-up, Paudie Prendergast and Shane Bennett must be pushing hard for inclusion. DJ Foran also scored 3-1 for the under 21s in midweek with McGrath and Dan Shanahan in attendance. Philip Mahony will also undergo a late fitness test after he received a bang on the knee against Limerick. An expectant crowd will hope for a green flag after only two half chances were created last weekend. The shape of the team didn’t allow the opportunity for many line breaks although the Bennetts and Brian O’Halloran look capable of making a breakthrough. The Clashmore man had the Limerick backs in all kinds of bother. Will the Waterford midfield and half forward line retreat so deep this time?

Laois will emerge as a hungry outfit this weekend. After the four point derby loss to Offaly, Seamus Plunkett stated his disappointment with how they fought for breaking ball early on and also their concession of frees. Shane Dooley punished them with 1-10 from dead balls. They were unfortunate that Zane Keenan saw two penalty attempts thwarted.

When asked about what improvements needed to made for the Waterford fixture, Plunkett responded: “Quickness in our hurling, quickness into the breaking ball and quickness into winning the primary possession. We were a small bit off the pace in that tonight and that makes a huge difference.”

If Waterford display the same attitude and efficiency as last Saturday, they should avert any shock result here. They have a clear idea about what management are looking for and seemed fitter than many teams at this time of the season. A six point win and a couple of goals would be the ideal way to head into the break.

Last Ten League Encounters

2005 at O’Moore Park
Waterford 1-19 Laois 0-14

2004 at Walsh Park
Waterford 0-25 Laois 3-11

2003 at O’Moore Park
Waterford 1-16 Laois 2-10

2001 at Fraher Field
Waterford 3-15 Laois 1-6

2000 at O’Moore Park
Waterford 2-13 Laois 1-14

1999 at Walsh Park
Waterford 2-12 Laois 0-6

1998 at O’Moore Park
Waterford 4-11 Laois 1-9

1989 at O'Moore Park
Waterford 1-19 Laois 3-7

1986 at O’Moore Park
Waterford 4-15 Laois 3-9

1984 at Dr Cullen Park
Laois 1-12 Waterford 1-3

Limerick defensive wall presents opening obstacle

It’s 18 years since the Waterford last started out in the second tier of the hurling league. That 1997 campaign included fixtures with London, Kerry, Meath and Westmeath.

An away trip to last year’s All Ireland semi finalists marks the toughest assignment on the 2015 list but defeat should not dash their promotion ambitions right away. Games at home to Laois and Antrim, either side of a spin to Tullamore, in the three rounds that follow mean that Waterford could arrive at Wexford Park on the final day with top spot still in their sights. Management have set a target of a home quarter final and three wins out of the spring schedule must be seen as a minimum requirement. Remember also that Limerick must travel to Wexford.

Waterford and Limerick met four weeks back in Kilmallock and while both management teams claimed that they didn’t show their full hand, the seventy minutes provided a flavour of what may develop on opening night. In sloppy conditions underfoot, the battle hardened Limerick backs outmuscled their opponents. They will be hard to break down again on Saturday. Five of the six backs were championship regulars last summer. Stephen Walsh is the only new addition and he is known as a sticky marker. Will Waterford be tempted to add some height and physique to their inside line? Given Tom Devine’s destructive form for Modeligo at fourteen and his appearances at the edge of the square during pre-season, he may well occupy the attention of Richie McCarthy. It offers a direct option and Devine only needs to catch a handful of those deliveries to cause havoc. He showed in the club campaign that he is capable of both scoring and supplying goals.

Waterford only raised seven green flags in ten competitive outings last term and that included five blanks. In the pre-season fare during December and January, they certainly created more opportunities. Kevin Moran, Brian O’Halloran, Michael Kearney and Shane Bennett all took on their markers and made incisions through opposition defences. Their conversion rate still remains a concern however.

Limerick carried on without their Kilmallock contingent to claim Crystal honours for the first time since 2006. TJ Ryan also learned more about his squad strength in the process. Double Munster minor winners Cian Lynch and Tom Morrissey proved that they could handle senior hurling. Lynch scored nine points over the three games and Morrissey notched five. Corner forward Adrian Breen from Na Piarsaigh collected a handsome 3-8 from play to turn heads. Gavin O’Mahony showed his versatility at centre forward and wiry corner back Tom Condon progressed to the half back line for the Crystal final to fire over three points. The Shannonsiders could hardly have wished for a better start to the season.

Fifteen Waterford panel members were involved in the Fitzgibbon Cup and while the competition disrupts training patterns, it should sharpen their skills for this time of the year. Pauric Mahony called the plays for WIT from wing forward on Tuesday night and Waterford will lean heavily on that creative influence. He has arguably been the most consistent Déise performer over the last two seasons for county, club and college. He came up with 45 per cent of Waterford’s scores in league and championship during 2014 and that load must be lightened this time. With Kevin Moran or Michael Walsh unlikely to contribute significantly, the responsibility rests with Jake Dillon, Brian O’Halloran and Michael Kearney. Dillon will be boosted by WIT’s win in midweek, O’Halloran appeared back to his best form against LIT and Kearney will hope to carry his prolific performances on the club circuit through to inter county level. Jamie Barron's pace and long distance accuracy will also prove a useful weapon.

It is unlikely that the away team will line out as named on Friday night. Michael Walsh may move to the wing to accommodate Devine with Kevin Moran roaming around the middle. Waterford will set up with either Brian O’Halloran or Michael Kearney to offer support out the field. Similar to last year’s trip to Tipp, they will look to cover the ground and unsettle the favourites. With a solid pre-season and a positive mood around the camp, they will expect to deliver a hard working performance. It also important that they cash in on dominant spells and not allow teams off the hook like last season. Both sets of backs look well on paper but Waterford may find it more difficult to make headway against a formidable Limerick wall. With Devine or Walsh close to goal, they may attempt to go over it instead of around it.

TJ Ryan’s side are clearly keen to move up as they enter their fifth season on level two. With ten of last year’s team on board and a confident-boosting January behind them, they should live up to expectations and prevail by three.

NHL Division 1B
Limerick v Waterford
7.00 at Gaelic Grounds
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

Limerick: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, S Hickey; D O’Grady, W McNamara, T Condon; C King, P Browne; D Hannon, G O’Mahony, C Lynch; D Reidy, D Breen, A Breen.

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; S Fives, B Coughlan, N Connors; T De Burca, A Gleeson, Philip Mahony; J Barron, T Devine; K Moran, Pauric Mahony, J Dillon; B O’Halloran, M Walsh, M Kearney.

Odds: Limerick 8/15 Draw 10/1 Waterford 15/8

Prediction: Limerick

Green light for all whites - Waterford 2-17 Limerick 2-11

Over 38,000 packed into Semple Stadium on a scorching first Sunday of May 1998 to get a glimpse of four Munster sides in a league double header. 

White and blue outnumbered the other three tribes beforehand. Waterford had captured the Crystal League in early February and took down Tipperary and Kilkenny on their way to the semis. Reigning league champions Limerick, under new manager Eamon Cregan, qualified with five wins and had six points to spare against Waterford the previous May.

Shane Ahearne stood alongside Gerald McCarthy, Greg Fives and John Galvin on the line and he sensed that they were ready for a breakthrough. “Gerald had been with us in 1997 and we felt that we had a good team coming. We got a bit unlucky in the Munster championship match against Limerick up in Thurles. Ray Whitty was on the goal and he left in two soft goals. We took him off before half time and we brought on Brendan Landers. It’s not often that it happens. That was 1997 and there was no backdoor. We just felt we were coming good enough in 1997 but we were gone very suddenly. In 1998, there was good momentum built up, we had been on the Neutron diet and fellas were feeling great. The previous year of training was starting to tell on fellas into the second year with Gerald. We had a few good results and got Limerick in the semi final. The 1998 semi final was the announcement of our arrival on the scene.”

Jimmy Cooney was in charge of the whistle and little did he know what 1998 would bring. It was also the last year that league matches were played over sixty minutes. Paul Flynn scored the first of nine points from a 65’ following an accidental clash between Joe Quaid and Jack Foley. He harvested 5-33 during that spring campaign and delivered three from play in the first half. Waterford were relieved however when TJ Ryan’s goal was ruled out for a tug on Mark O’Sullivan.

The play was frenzied yet Sean Cullinane and Fergal Hartley held it together at the back. Cullinane’s clearance picked out the flying Flynn to lash over. Hartley then sidestepped Ollie Moran and cleared the crossbar from 60 metres away.

On 16 minutes, Billy O’Sullivan collected possession under the New Stand. He looked up and spotted Ken McGrath sneaking behind the Limerick cover. O’Sullivan’s precision pass meant that the number eleven didn’t need to break stride before dispatching across Joe Quaid to the net. There was hardly a better goal scored throughout 1998. 1-9 to 0-7 at half time and Limerick were in damage limitation mode.

They threw on Ciaran Carey, Ger Hegarty and Eoin O’Neill to salvage the situation. Waterford carried on regardless. Hartley was simply awesome and set up further points for Dan Shanahan and Anthony Kirwan. Carey, wearing number 18, went on solo run harassed by Shanahan and Peter Queally. Shanahan hooked the Limerick substitute and Tony Browne kicked the ball clear. A gorgeous flick by Ken McGrath kept the ball moving towards O’Sullivan who added to it. Flynn got out in front. The first defender broke his stick off him and the second threw it at him before he split the posts (1-14 to 0-8). “The best passage of hurling I have seen in the nineties,” shouted Marty Morrissey on commentary.

Mike Houlihan lashed over a free in reply. At the other end, Flynn’s attempt was half blocked and fell into the path of Derek McGrath who nipped in ahead of Stephen McDonagh. The sliotar got stuck under his stick however and Limerick cleared the danger. Brendan Landers acted fast to flick away a dangerous 65’ from Houlihan.

A battle hardened Limerick clawed their way back. At six points down, TJ Ryan was fouled 25 metres out. Gary Kirby’s bullet soared to the top corner. Flynn reacted with a free but Limerick were starting to flow. TJ Ryan’s lofted sideline floated into the square and was batted down to the waiting Barry Foley. The ball hopped and he let fly first time off his right side. Brendan Landers barely saw it. 1-15 to 2-11.

Waterford wouldn’t back down and Ahearne reflects on a crunching hit made by captain Stephen Frampton as a crucial moment. “The two of them hit the ground and the ball spun loose. I remember Stephen telling me afterwards: ‘I was on the ground and every bit of me was aching but I knew I had to get to that ball first’. Stephen got up and cleared it. Such a cheer came down from the stands that it was nearly the winning of the game.”

The management team only made one substitution but they made it count as Micheal White entered the action. The 20 year old had failed to score in the league campaign up to that point. With the hour almost elapsed, the man with the red helmet made his mark. White flicked over the head of Stephen McDonagh who swiped at thin air. He grasped the sliotar and fired high, beyond the reach of Quaid, to the far corner. The keeper tossed his hurley into the back of the net with disgust. He knew the game was up.

Ahearne tuned in for the highlights later on. “I remember Marty Morrissey saying that night that it was as good a display of hurling he had seen in many a year from any team. We arrived on the scene with that display.”

Gerald McCarthy lauded their mental fortitude in his post-match remarks. “Questions were asked, we made defensive mistakes and were punished. It looked dangerous for us but I was delighted we had the heart and conviction to see it through. Limerick didn’t score after that goal.” It set them up for the season ahead. “This win will give us great confidence because Waterford hurling hasn’t had anything like this in years.”

35 years to be exact. Although Cork put manners on them a fortnight later, the all-whites were on the up and an unforgettable summer soon followed.

Scorers:- Waterford – P. Flynn 0-9 (4fs, 1 65’), K. McGrath 1-2, M. White 1-0, A. Kirwan, T. Browne 0-2 each, F. Hartley, D. Shanahan 0-1 each.

Limerick – G. Kirby 1-3fs, B. Foley 1-2, M. Houlihan (2fs), TJ Ryan 0-2 each, J. Moran, O. Moran 0-1 each.

Waterford: B. Landers; T. Feeney, S. Cullinane, M. O’Sullivan; S. Frampton, F. Hartley, B. Greene; T. Browne, P. Queally; D. Shanahan, K. McGrath, D. McGrath; B. O’Sullivan, A. Kirwan, P. Flynn.

Sub: M. White for D. McGrath.

Limerick: J. Quaid; S. McDonagh, A. Browne, J. Foley; D. Clarke, M. Foley, C. Smith; M. Houlihan, S. O’Neill; J. Moran, O. Moran, B. Foley; TJ Ryan, G. Kirby, D. Quigley.

Subs: C. Carey for O. Moran, G. Hegarty for Quigley, E. O’Neill for J. Moran.

Referee: J. Cooney (Galway).

Limerick v Waterford Hurling League Clashes

Limerick and Waterford have clashed thirty times in league fare but they have avoided each other since 2010. The green and white shade the head to head by sixteen wins to twelve. The sides finished all square 1978 and 1994. Waterford have only managed three away wins against the Shannonsiders ahead of Saturday's latest tangle at the Gaelic Grounds.

1928 at Gaelic Field 

Limerick 3-1 Waterford 2-2

1930 at Gaelic Field
Waterford 4-3 Limerick 3-2

1934 at Gaelic Field 

Limerick 3-8 Waterford 3-6

1935 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 3-6 Waterford 0-6

1936 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 4-3 Waterford 2-3

1937 at Gaelic Grounds 

Limerick 5-5 Waterford 4-1

1938 at Gaelic Field
Waterford 4-3 Limerick 2-5

1939 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 3-4 Waterford 2-1

1940 at Gaelic Field
Limerick 3-3 Waterford 3-2

1961 at Walsh Park
Waterford 4-7 Limerick 1-2

1962 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 7-6 Waterford 3-3

1964 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 3-8 Waterford 1-12

1965 at Dungarvan
Waterford 1-9 Limerick 1-7

1973 at Dungarvan
Limerick 4-10 Waterford 1-6

1975 at Walsh Park
Limerick 2-6 Waterford 0-5

1978 at Walsh Park
Waterford 1-15 Limerick 2-12

1978 at Fraher Field
Waterford 4-10 Limerick 3-3

1981 at Fraher Field
Waterford 4-13 Limerick 5-6

1983 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 6-13 Waterford 0-6

1988 at Kilmallock
Waterford 2-9 Limerick 1-6

1989 at Walsh Park
Limerick 1-11 Waterford 1-8

1990 at Gaelic Grounds
Waterford 2-13 Limerick 0-6

1994 at Walsh Park
Waterford 1-13 Limerick 1-13

1998 at Semple Stadium
Waterford 2-17 Limerick 2-11

2003 at Kilmallock
Limerick 2-21 Waterford 0-11

2004 at Walsh Park
Waterford 1-20 Limerick 4-7

2005 at Gaelic Grounds
Waterford 1-19 Limerick 0-18

2006 at Semple Stadium
Limerick 0-21 Waterford 0-14

2009 at Gaelic Grounds
Limerick 2-14 Waterford 1-13

2010 at Fraher Field
Waterford 2-20 Limerick 2-10

Offaly v Waterford Football League Meetings

2013 at Carriganore
Offaly 2-15 Waterford 1-11

2011 at Fraher Field 

Offaly 1-14 Waterford 1-12

2008 at O’Connor Park
Offaly 0-13 Waterford 1-8

1996 at O’Connor Park
Offaly 2-16 Waterford 0-6

1995 at Fraher Field
Offaly 2-10 Waterford 0-3

1994 at Leamybrien
Waterford 2-9 Offaly 2-6

1992 at O’Connor Park
Offaly 0-15 Waterford 1-10

1971 at O’Connor Park
Offaly 1-17 Waterford 1-4