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