Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Waterford SFC Round 2 Dream Team & Top Scorers
1. Darren Mulhearne (Kilrossanty)
2. David Collins (Ballinacourty)
3. Kieran Connery (Clashmore)
4. Conor Phelan (Brickey Rangers)
5. Shane McGrath (Brickey Rangers)
6. Dean Crowley (St Saviours)
7. Stephen Prendergast (Kilrossanty)
8. Tommy Prendergast (Kilrossanty)
9. Ferdia Ó hAodha (An Rinn)
10. Michael O'Halloran (Ballinacourty)
11. Donie Breathnach (An Rinn)
12. David Grey (Stradbally)
13. Conor Gleeson (The Nire)
14. Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty)
15. Brian O'Halloran (Clashmore)
Top Scorers
Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty) 2-10
Shane O'Donovan (Ballinacourty) 4-3
Donie Breathnach (An Rinn) 0-15
Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty) 3-5
Jason Curry (Rathgormack) 0-13
JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier) 2-6
Clinton Hennessy (Ardmore) 1-9
Conor Gleeson (The Nire) 0-10
Whyte leads Kilrossanty charge - Waterford SFC Round 2
Paul Whyte returned 2-4 as fourteen man Kilrossanty came away 2-8 to 0-13 winners in a fiery affair with An Rinn at Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon.
The green and gold emerged enthusiastically with a fourth minute goal. Joey Veale fetched among a crowd of defenders and supplied Paul Whyte to locate the top corner. Whyte fisted home a second ten minutes later when Eoin Cummins lofted in a high delivery. Wind assisted An Rinn landed seven points without response however to seize a 0-9 to 2-1 halfway advantage. They moved out to a three point gap with Donie Breathnach to the fore. Whyte and Joey Veale made hay up front for Kilrossanty as they took control of a frenetic final quarter and overcame the dismissal of David Power. Champions The Nire rebounded from an opening round loss to fend off a sticky Ardmore by 0-11 to 0-7. Conor Gleeson accounted for seven points of that winning total (four from play and three frees).
Stradbally stumbled over Brickey Rangers by 0-12 to 0-10 on Saturday evening. The sides were locked together four times before the Reds wriggled away in the closing quarter. Pace setters Brickey Rangers built up a 0-5 to 0-3 half time lead with five different contributors to the scoreboard. Three placed balls from Shane Ahearne turned around the situation for Stradbally early in the second half. Brickeys levelled at seven points each on 47 minutes through lively inside forward Conor McGrath. They nearly retook the lead but Carthach Shalloe struck the post and David Grey went up the other end to nudge the favourites in front. Grey kicked three left footed efforts down the home straight to steer Stradbally clear of trouble. In part two of the Dungarvan double bill, Clashmore banked their second win as they led from start to finish against fourteen man Rathgormack (0-15 to 0-9). They had five points to spare at halfway (0-8 to 0-3) and never released that grip. Five of their six forwards posted points. Paul O’Connor ended as top scorer with six while Brian O’Halloran contributed four.
St Saviours and Gaultier settled for a 1-7 to 0-10 draw on in Carriganore as John Paul Jacob salvaged a point for Saviours in injury time. Gaultier shaded the first half of this Eastern dispute by five points to three as Conor O’Riordan, Caomhin McGuire, David Cullinane, Rory Walsh and Sean Hogan all raised white flags. Saviours seized the lead on 40 minutes when Stephen Whelan collected a Kieran Murphy pass and finished beyond David Whitty (1-4 to 0-6). The influential Brian Power guided them two points clear before Gaultier custodian Whitty produced a double save from Garth Duffy and John Paul Jacob on 50 minutes. Gaultier reacted to that warning and a brace by JJ Hutchinson and a Brad Carroll single put them in a winning position. Jacob rescued Saviours late on however and both teams will be satisfied to rebound from first round losses.
Ballinacourty devoured De La Salle by 4-14 to 0-2 at Walsh Park to store their second win of the campaign. Salle posted two points within three minutes but failed to record a score thereafter. A Mark Ferncombe goal and three Michael O’Halloran points established a commanding 1-6 to 0-2 interval gap for Courty. They swept away Salle in the second half as Gary Hurney netted twice and Shane O’Donovan added a fourth. The Villagers have blasted 8-26 thus far with only eleven points conceded.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Round 2 Predictions
25 April
Stradbally v Brickey Rangers (6.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Stradbally relied on their championship veterans to quench Gaultier's revival in round one. Michael Walsh, Ger Power, Stephen Cunningham and John Coffey all stepped up with crucial plays over the closing minutes. John Hearne made a welcome return to action after sustaining a serious injury in the 2012 county final. The Reds introduced Paul Connors and Paul Tobin to their starting fifteen who have featured at underage level and Pat Curran will hope that they can make the same impact that Jack Mullaney and Michael Sweeney did in 2014. Brickeys will look to Conor McGrath to unlock the Reds defence but they need to discover a regular goalscorer. Their under 21 side lost the replay of the B final last weekend but these players may need a couple of years to acclimatise to the senior grade.
Odds: Stradbally 1/12 Draw 16/1 Brickey Rangers 5/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Clashmore v Rathgormack (8.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Rathgormack pinched victory from under the nose of Clashmore last year as a Jamie Kirwan goal in injury time delivered a 1-10 to 1-9 win. The green and red suffered a reality check however when the ran into the Ballinacourty express two weeks ago. They were obliterated at midfield and turned over ball far too easily in the contact area. Jason Curry's accuracy was the one redeeming feature of that display. A win for Clashmore will put them in pole position for a quarter final place before the break. Their defence withstood the late barrage of pressure from The Nire and may be able to handle the Currys, Conor Murray and Gavin Nugent. Their attack proved that they can threaten from inside and outside. Brian O'Halloran and Paul O'Connor can prise open a Rathgormack defence that looked vulnerable against Ballinacourty.
Odds: Clashmore 2/5 Draw 15/2 Rathgormack 9/4
Prediction: Clashmore
26 April
An Rinn v Kilrossanty (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Two teams capable of challenging the top three but only An Rinn have shown the level of consistency required to overthrow the ruling parties. Last year's semi finalists know that they will need to improve on their opening showing against St Saviours as they only registered one point in the last 23 minutes. They must also lighten the load on Donie Breathnach and Liam Ó Lonáin. Kilrossanty placed Tommy Prendergast and Niall Walsh at midfield against Brickey Rangers and they turned the game in their favour either side of half time. This is an area where An Rinn have struggled over recent years. Joey Veale is one of the sharpest shooters in the county at present and Paul Whyte suggested last time out that he is gradually returning to last year's form. This will go the distance but An Rinn's defence can curtail Kilrossanty's big hitters.
Odds: An Rinn 8/13 Draw 13/2 Kilrossanty 13/8
Prediction: An Rinn
The Nire v Ardmore (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
The Nire came crashing back down to earth against Clashmore. It may be no harm for the champions to receive a wake-up call and Benji Whelan knows how to get his side in peak condition for the knockout rounds. They must transfer the ball much quicker than a fortnight ago as they allowed their opponents organise their defensive cover. Ardmore won their first group game in three years as they recovered from a six half time deficit against De La Salle. Clinton Hennessy returned from a one year absence to shoot 1-5 while Seamus Keating and David Gartland mopped up at midfield.
Odds: The Nire 1/10 Draw 14/1 Ardmore 5/1
Prediction: The Nire
The Nire came crashing back down to earth against Clashmore. It may be no harm for the champions to receive a wake-up call and Benji Whelan knows how to get his side in peak condition for the knockout rounds. They must transfer the ball much quicker than a fortnight ago as they allowed their opponents organise their defensive cover. Ardmore won their first group game in three years as they recovered from a six half time deficit against De La Salle. Clinton Hennessy returned from a one year absence to shoot 1-5 while Seamus Keating and David Gartland mopped up at midfield.
Odds: The Nire 1/10 Draw 14/1 Ardmore 5/1
Prediction: The Nire
Saturday, 18 April 2015
JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Round 2 Predictions
18 April
Ballinacourty v De La Salle (7.00 at Walsh Park) Group 1
De La Salle's one point defeat to Ardmore puts them under immediate pressure to avoid a relegation play-off. They couldn't capitalise on a six point lead and failed to score for 26 second half minutes. They faded out of the game at midfield as David Gartland and Seamus Keating took over. Ballinacourty rammed 4-10 from play past Rathgormack last Sunday as their attack gave an early glimpse of their scoring potential. They have made useful additions elsewhere in Conor Prunty at midfield and Eoin Bergin in the full back division. Courty won by three points when these sides met in the Phelan Cup last month but one of the leading title contenders could cut loose here with a forward line hungry for goals.
Odds: Ballinacourty 1/16 Draw 16/1 De La Salle 13/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty
St Saviours v Gaultier (8.00 at Carriganore) Group 2
It is only April yet this fixture could determine where these two finish up in the autumn. Both sides will take encouragement from their second half displays last weekend. Gaultier pinned back Stradbally down the stretch before John Coffey's goal cemented a win for the favourites. JJ Hutchinson returned 2-4 but young forwards Caomhan Maguire and Sean White also contributed. Saviours fell ten points down to An Rinn yet rallied towards the finish and threatened a couple of green flags. Gareth Duffy has joined from Moorefield in Kildare this season and ended as top scorer in his first outing with six points. He previously represented his county at junior level. Dean Crowley has emerged as a sticky marker with the Waterford seniors over the last two seasons and may be suited to shadow Hutchinson for the evening. If he can interfere with Gaultier's main scoring supply, Saviours can pip their Eastern rivals for a second year running.
Odds: Gaultier 5/6 Draw 13/2 St Saviours 6/5
Prediction: St Saviours
Waterford v Tipperary NHL Top Scorers
Pauric Mahony 1-66
Maurice Shanahan 2-6Michael Walsh 1-7
Shane Bennett 2-3
Jake Dillon 0-9
Stephen Bennett 1-5
Austin Gleeson 0-8
Brian O’Halloran 0-6
Tom Devine 1-2
Colin Dunford 0-5
Paudie Prendergast 0-4
Kevin Moran 0-4
Thomas Connors 1-0
Jamie Barron 0-3
Shane O’Sullivan 0-2
Donie Breathnach 0-1
Martin O’Neill 0-1
Shane Fives 0-1
Seamus Callanan 3-37
John O’Dwyer 1-16Jason Forde 1-11
Noel McGrath 1-11
Kieran Bergin 1-6
Niall O’Meara 1-6
John McGrath 0-7
James Woodlock 1-2
Brendan Maher 0-4
Michael Breen 0-4
Ronan Maher 0-3
Conor Kenny 0-2
Patrick Maher 0-1
Shane Bourke 0-1
Thomas Stapleton 0-1
Darren Gleeson 0-1
Gearoid Ryan 0-1
Shane McGrath 0-1
Conor O’Brien 0-1
Denis Maher 0-1
Patrick Maher 0-1
Shane Bourke 0-1
Thomas Stapleton 0-1
Darren Gleeson 0-1
Gearoid Ryan 0-1
Shane McGrath 0-1
Conor O’Brien 0-1
Denis Maher 0-1
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Tipperary v Waterford Minor Football Rivalry
2014 Quarter Final
Tipperary 2-11 Waterford 2-7
2009 Play-Off
Tipperary 1-15 Waterford 0-6
2008 Quarter Final
Tipperary 3-9 Waterford 0-8
2007 Play-Off
Tipperary 1-12 Waterford 0-8
2005 Quarter Final
Tipperary 7-12 Waterford 1-1
2003 Round Robin
Tipperary 2-15 Waterford 1-3
2002 Round Robin
Tipperary 3-14 Waterford 2-6
2001 Round Robin Final
Waterford 2-6 Tipperary 0-9
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Waterford SFC Round 1 Dream Team & Top Scorers
1. Declan Hickey (Clashmore)
3. Thomas O'Gorman (The Nire)
4. Michael Cronin (Ardmore)
5. Brian Looby (Ballinacourty)
6. Dean Crowley (St Saviours)
7. Niall Walsh (Kilrossanty)
8. Seamus Keating (Ardmore)
9. Conor Prunty (Ballinacourty)
10. Liam Ó Lonáin (An Rinn)
11. Mark Ferncombe (Ballinacourty)
12. Joey Veale (Kilrossanty)
13. Shane O'Donovan (Ballinacourty)
14. Brian O'Halloran (Clashmore)
15. JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier)
Top Scorers
Shane O'Donovan (Ballinacourty) 3-1
JJ Hutchinson (Gaultier) 2-4
Clinton Hennessy (Ardmore) 1-5
Donie Breathnach (An Rinn) 0-8
Jason Curry (Rathgormack) 0-7
David Grey (Stradbally) 1-3
Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty) 1-3
Liam Ó Lonáin (An Rinn) 1-3
Paul Whyte (Kilrossanty) 0-6
Garth Duffy (St Saviours) 0-6
Clashmore comeback stuns The Nire - Waterford SFC Round 1
The 9/2 underdogs trailed by six points after 19 minutes but two goals in three minutes from Jason Seward and Cillian O’Keeffe helped them into a 2-5 to 0-9 half time lead. Clashmore pushed four ahead by the end of the third quarter with Tadhg De Burca, Brian O’Halloran and Paul O’Connor all on target. Their defence held up in a nervy finale as two Brian Wall frees and Conor Gleeson’s third point from play brought The Nire within a single. Clashmore clung on by 2-8 to 0-13.
2013 winners Ballinacourty obliterated Rathgormack by 4-12 to 0-9 on Sunday afternoon. Shane O’Donovan blasted 3-1 and Gary Hurney contributed 1-3 as Courty outmuscled a youthful Rathgormack selection. The joint title favourites led by 2-5 to 0-7 at the break and rattled off 2-3 during a ruthless third quarter. In the curtain raiser at Fraher Field, Clinton Hennessy fired 1-5 as Ardmore retrieved a six point half time deficit to sneak past De La Salle (1-10 to 1-9). Lee Hayes punched to the net on 20 minutes as Salle established a 1-7 to 0-4 advantage at midway. Hennessy's goal three minutes into the second period started the Ardmore recovery.
Fourteen man Stradbally survived a second half fightback from Gaultier to prevail by 3-8 to 2-6 in Kill. David Grey touched home a Ger Power cross to send last year’s runners-up 1-5 to 0-3 clear at half time. Power supplied Stradbally’s second on 36 minutes but the Reds were under pressure when Shane Ahearne was dismissed on two yellow cards. Two goals by JJ Hutchinson brought Gaultier back into contention before John Coffey’s injury time strike settled the outcome. An Rinn grinded out a 1-12 to 1-7 win over St Saviours as Liam Ó Lonáin bagged a second half goal. Donie Breathnach finished as top scorer with eight points.
In the concluding game of the first round, inter county pair Paul Whyte and Joey Veale combined for ten points as Kilrossanty posted a 0-15 to 0-9 success against Brickey Rangers. The green and gold edged the opening half hour by 0-7 to 0-6 and a purple patch of four unanswered points on the restart gave them breathing space.
Friday, 10 April 2015
JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Round 1 Predictions
10 April
The Nire v Clashmore (8.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Three years ago, Clashmore shocked reigning county champions Stradbally on opening night. They start the 2015 season without a couple of key players and that may hamper their chances of an upset here. The Nire won all of their matches last year and will want to set out their stall early on. It is important to build momentum during the group phase while keeping a little in reserve for the business end of the season. Clashmore have the forwards in Tadhg De Burca, Paul O’Connor, Brian O’Halloran and Sean Fleming to compete but The Nire should keep their cool and prevail by a score.
Odds: The Nire 1/6 Draw 9/1 Clashmore 9/2
Prediction: The Nire
12 April
De La Salle v Ardmore (2.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Injury hit Ardmore survived by the skin of their teeth in 2014 as they blitzed Ballinameela in the relegation play-off. They need their young players like Sean Barron, Seamus Keating and the Gartlands to assist the Prendergasts and the Hennessys this term or else another struggle for survival looms. The 2007 county finalists posted a big score against An Rinn last weekend although John Gartland suffered a knee injury in the process. De La Salle didn’t seem out of place in the senior grade last season. Powered by the scoring exploits of Ian Cantwell and Mitchell Casey, the 2014 intermediate winners made the last eight. Both sides appreciate the importance of an early win.
Odds: De La Salle 4/5 Draw 13/2 Ardmore 6/5
Prediction: Ardmore
Ballinacourty v Rathgormack (3.30 at Fraher Field) Group 1
Plenty of potential here for a flowing game of football. These two teams met in the opening round last year as Ballinacourty required a late flurry of points to squeeze home by three. Brian Looby limped out of last week’s under 21 final and would be a loss to Courty’s full back line. Rathgormack’s youthful forward division no longer relies exclusively on Gavin Nugent and it could turn into a shootout. The outcome won’t be settled here until the last ten minutes.
Odds: Ballinacourty 2/9 Draw 10/1 Rathgormack 7/2
Prediction: Ballinacourty
An Rinn v St Saviours (2.00 at Kill) Group 2
St Saviours continue to train at their own ground but they have been forced to fulfil any fixtures away from home for the moment. Despite the difficult circumstances, they will compete ferociously and were most unfortunate to miss out on Phelan Cup honours in February as The Nire edged them out by eight points to seven. An Rinn have earned their status as a top four club by dealing with these tests and must be braced for a battle. The prolific Donie Breathnach can steer them to victory in the second half.
Odds: An Rinn 1/4 Draw 9/1 St Saviours 10/3
Prediction: An Rinn
Stradbally v Gaultier (3.30 at Kill) Group 2
A repeat of last year’s first round fixture where Stradbally survived an early fright. Gaultier led by five points at half time but the Reds steadied and secured a 0-13 to 1-7 win. JJ Hutchinson continues to play the role of marquee forward for Gaultier. He posted 2-26 in the 2014 championship and converted eight out of eight while on free taking duties for Waterford last Saturday. Stradbally are usually slow starters but new management and Tony Grey’s return to action should shake off the cobwebs.
Odds: Stradbally 1/10 Draw 14/1 Gaultier 6/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Kilrossanty v Brickey Rangers (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Brickey Rangers made an instant return to the senior grade as they held off a fast finishing Portlaw in the intermediate final. They will prove stubborn opponents and the progress of their under 21 side gives them further encouragement. Conor Phelan, Conor McGrath and Carthach Shalloe are proven performers while Cormac Curran, Cormac O’Grady and Conor Morrissey all look capable of stepping up to senior football. The presence of a rejuvenated Tommy Prendergast can shade this in Kilrossanty’s favour. He bossed the second half of last weekend’s league clash against Leitrim. A potent front six should be able to apply the finishing touches.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/3 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 11/4
Prediction: Kilrossanty
St Saviours continue to train at their own ground but they have been forced to fulfil any fixtures away from home for the moment. Despite the difficult circumstances, they will compete ferociously and were most unfortunate to miss out on Phelan Cup honours in February as The Nire edged them out by eight points to seven. An Rinn have earned their status as a top four club by dealing with these tests and must be braced for a battle. The prolific Donie Breathnach can steer them to victory in the second half.
Odds: An Rinn 1/4 Draw 9/1 St Saviours 10/3
Prediction: An Rinn
Stradbally v Gaultier (3.30 at Kill) Group 2
A repeat of last year’s first round fixture where Stradbally survived an early fright. Gaultier led by five points at half time but the Reds steadied and secured a 0-13 to 1-7 win. JJ Hutchinson continues to play the role of marquee forward for Gaultier. He posted 2-26 in the 2014 championship and converted eight out of eight while on free taking duties for Waterford last Saturday. Stradbally are usually slow starters but new management and Tony Grey’s return to action should shake off the cobwebs.
Odds: Stradbally 1/10 Draw 14/1 Gaultier 6/1
Prediction: Stradbally
Kilrossanty v Brickey Rangers (7.00 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Brickey Rangers made an instant return to the senior grade as they held off a fast finishing Portlaw in the intermediate final. They will prove stubborn opponents and the progress of their under 21 side gives them further encouragement. Conor Phelan, Conor McGrath and Carthach Shalloe are proven performers while Cormac Curran, Cormac O’Grady and Conor Morrissey all look capable of stepping up to senior football. The presence of a rejuvenated Tommy Prendergast can shade this in Kilrossanty’s favour. He bossed the second half of last weekend’s league clash against Leitrim. A potent front six should be able to apply the finishing touches.
Odds: Kilrossanty 1/3 Draw 15/2 Brickey Rangers 11/4
Prediction: Kilrossanty
Big three back to dispute Conway silver - JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC Preview
19 weeks ago, The Nire finished runners-up to fourteen man Austin Stacks on Munster final day. For a seventh time, a Waterford club side couldn't get across the line in the provincial showpiece. A glance at the DVD probably confirmed the initial feeling of a missed opportunity.
They begin again from the base of the mountain on Friday evening. Ballinacourty and Stradbally will track them all the way to the top. The Reds were the last team to retain the Conway Cup in 2010. The Nire played on the edge in last year’s county final and tactically outthought the Reds. They were fitter than ever before and fired up by a six year wait for glory. Benji Whelan knows that they will need to recapture that attitude and also add a couple of players to protect that trophy. Brian Wall and Shane Walsh can give more energy to the club cause this year and the team will undoubtedly benefit as a consequence.
Ballinacourty rattled in 16 goals during last year’s championship but felt the heat during a fiery semi final with Stradbally that featured 49 frees. They still possess that attacking flair and registered 8-14 in the Phelan Cup against a weakened Nire selection a couple of weeks back. Mark Ferncombe, Michael O’Halloran, Gary and Patrick Hurney can all lead the line at various stages. They may also unleash midfielder Conor Prunty following a series of forceful performances for the under 21 side in their recent run to the county final. Courty carry the strongest squad of the leading contenders and that makes them deserving joint favourites for outright honours.
Stradbally couldn’t replicate their semi final efforts in the space of a week against The Nire. They did unearth Jack Mullaney and Michael Sweeney over that campaign and Michael Walsh bedded in brilliantly at number six. Pat Curran is back at the helm to recover the trophy last claimed in 2012.
16 years have passed since a team outside the big three has captured the Conway Cup (Rathgormack in 1999). An Rinn and Rathgormack look the most likely candidates to challenge that cartel in 2015. The Gaeltacht side reached the last two semi finals and if Donie Breathnach stayed on the field last October they may have forced a replay with The Nire. They still depend on Breathnach to supply the lion’s share of the scores and the killer pass inside. They also turn to their four county representatives in Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Ray Ó Ceallaigh, Lorcán Ó Corraoin and Liam Ó Lonáin. Remarkably, Tomás Ó Cadhla didn’t let in a single goal across all seven games of the 2014 championship.
Rathgormack’s third under 21 title in five season suggests they are ready to challenge sooner rather than later. Gavin Nugent now has considerable support up front from Jason Gleeson, Conor Murray along with Michael and Jason Curry. They only lost to The Nire by three points in last year’s quarter final (1-8 to 0-8).
Kilrossanty and Clashmore are stuck in the middle. They are probable quarter finalists but their unpredictability raises plenty of question marks. Kilrossanty capsized to Stradbally by eleven points in 2014. They lost out to The Nire in the previous two quarter finals. They have been punished for their inconsistency in the knockout stages and cannot afford another slow start to the season. Clashmore needed a round five win over neighbours Ardmore to ensure survival last time around. They have plenty of talent at their disposal to return to the quarters.
De La Salle, Ardmore, Gaultier and Brickey Rangers will battle to avoid the drop although all four start with higher ambitions. St Saviours may also get sucked in but the resilient Ballybeg outfit have reached the last two quarter finals.
Dwindling gate receipts show that the group stages of the senior football championship prove unattractive to spectators. 17 of the 37 championship games staged last year brought in €500 or less. The fixture between The Nire and De La Salle only raised €65. A significant number of one sided contests also emerged as 14 games were settled by double digit margins. Recommendations from the CCC to reduce the number of teams to ten was emphatically rejected by clubs at the championship structures meeting back in January as they decided to stick with the current format. One obvious tweak to improve matters would be to reward the top team in each group with a place in the semi finals. The second and third placed teams in both groups would then compete in two quarter finals. As things stand, two wins from five games almost guarantees progression. Two years ago, Ballinameela reached the quarter finals on three points.
When the real championship starts in the autumn, the regulars will still be around and ready to rumble. Eight years ago, Ardmore upset the natural order when they stunned Stradbally in the semi finals. Since then, normal service has resumed. The Nire mixed with the very best in Munster and have an abundance of experience to achieve back to back titles for the first time since 1994. Their rivals looked on enviously at their exploits and want a piece of it. Stradbally may have significant miles clocked up but they can still time their run for the knockout rounds. Ballinacourty have most to prove however and their strength in depth and an exuberant strikeforce can deliver a third triumph in five seasons.
Dwindling gate receipts show that the group stages of the senior football championship prove unattractive to spectators. 17 of the 37 championship games staged last year brought in €500 or less. The fixture between The Nire and De La Salle only raised €65. A significant number of one sided contests also emerged as 14 games were settled by double digit margins. Recommendations from the CCC to reduce the number of teams to ten was emphatically rejected by clubs at the championship structures meeting back in January as they decided to stick with the current format. One obvious tweak to improve matters would be to reward the top team in each group with a place in the semi finals. The second and third placed teams in both groups would then compete in two quarter finals. As things stand, two wins from five games almost guarantees progression. Two years ago, Ballinameela reached the quarter finals on three points.
When the real championship starts in the autumn, the regulars will still be around and ready to rumble. Eight years ago, Ardmore upset the natural order when they stunned Stradbally in the semi finals. Since then, normal service has resumed. The Nire mixed with the very best in Munster and have an abundance of experience to achieve back to back titles for the first time since 1994. Their rivals looked on enviously at their exploits and want a piece of it. Stradbally may have significant miles clocked up but they can still time their run for the knockout rounds. Ballinacourty have most to prove however and their strength in depth and an exuberant strikeforce can deliver a third triumph in five seasons.
Waterford SFC Odds
The Nire 9/4
Ballinacourty 9/4
Stradbally 5/2
An Rinn 15/2
Kilrossanty 11/1
Clashmore 16/1
Rathgormack 16/1
De La Salle 33/1
St Saviours 33/1
Ardmore 40/1
Brickey Rangers 50/1
Gaultier 50/1
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Tipperary v Waterford Minor Hurling Clashes in Thurles
In ten previous attempts, the Waterford minor hurlers have only managed two wins over Tipperary in Thurles (1948 and 2009). Three years ago, the Premier County prevailed by 19 points as William Maher guided them to All Ireland glory. Waterford start with eight of last year’s squad (Billy Nolan, Conor Prunty, Jordan Henley, Darragh Lyons, Andy Molumby, Eddie Meaney, Peter Hogan and Aaron O’Sullivan) for tonight’s renewal. Sean Lyons’ side have arranged challenge matches with Wexford, Kilkenny, Galway, Dublin and Laois in the build-up to this quarter final. The visitors are regarded as 10/3 outsiders against a Tipp team that won the Tony Forristal back in 2011.
2012 Munster Semi Final
Tipperary 2-25 Waterford 0-12
2009 Munster Final
Waterford 0-18 Tipperary 1-13
2003 Munster Quarter Final
Tipperary 1-9 Waterford 0-10
1992 Munster Final
Waterford 4-7 Tipperary 3-10
1973 Munster Quarter Final
Tipperary 5-9 Waterford 2-1
1956 Munster Final
Tipperary 10-10 Waterford 4-4
1948 Munster Final
Waterford 3-6 Tipperary 0-3
1947 Munster Final
Tipperary 2-4 Waterford 1-2
1932 Munster Semi Final
Tipperary 4-7 Waterford 3-1
1930 Munster Semi Final
Tipperary 4-0 Waterford 2-1
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