GAA Christmas Crackers 2012 – Quotes of the Year

“We’ve been watching so much soccer lately you’d be drinking coffee and still fall asleep watching it.”

An exciting finish to the Waterford v Clare Munster semi final offered a welcome distraction from Euro 2012 for Cyril Farrell.

“If we gathered up twenty at the Red Cow and came down this morning it could hardly have been worse.”
Anthony Daly offered a candid assessment of how the Dubs surrendered tamely to Kilkenny despite the pre match build up.

“An American tourist would never have believed it if you’d told him The Gooch was one of the greats. If however you’d told him he was a choker, he would have agreed, since that is what Colm did against Cross.”
Joe Brolly comes down hard on Colm Cooper’s performance for Dr Crokes in the All Ireland club semi final.

“We have been asked to investigate this.”
Des Cahill and CSI Sunday Game bizarrely promise to uncover what Davy Fitzgerald said on the sideline during the Munster semi final.

“I have two All Irelands and you have **** all.”
The result of the investigation!

“The biggest worry I have is that we are not playing well all over the field. We are just not up to the pace of the game, we don’t look sharp, we don’t look fit and we don’t look mentally focussed and that’s something the management must sort out.”
After Tipperary amass 31 points at Semple Stadium to inflict a third league defeat, Waterford boss Michael Ryan attempts to get to the root of the problem. A backroom reshuffle follows soon after.

“It was one of those nights. We have to say that we didn’t turn up. We didn’t get to the pace of the game, I don’t know why that is to be honest about it. We were second from the word go, that’s the reality.”
Waterford under 21 selector Michael Walsh picks through the rubble after Clare inflicted a nineteen point hammering at Cusack Park.

“A misunderstanding between two fools!”
Eoin Kelly describes the pre season disagreement between himself and Michael Ryan after Waterford defeat Dublin to stay afloat in the top tier of the league.

“I suppose they are a bit cuter. In one instance in the first half, Henry (Shefflin) ran 30 or 40 yards down the field and was giving out to (referee) Barry Kelly and Damien Hayes for a free. That’s not sportsmanlike either at the same stage. That’s the way it goes – that’s probably the experience they have.”
The quotes from Joe Canning, at an event to promote the under 21 championship, that divided opinion before the replay.

“Well, we have to believe. We have to believe. We have to believe and we believe.”

Lar Corbett marks his comeback against Cork with an assist for Noel McGrath and strongly feels they can upset Kilkenny later in the year.

“On the Monday night before the Dublin match I still couldn’t puck a ball off the wall. And trying to tell Brian Cody that the next night at training was very difficult.”
Henry Shefflin tells Damian Lawlor that 2012 could have been a lot different as a shoulder injury proved difficult to shake off.

“From the tip of Malin, to the southerly point of the Drowes river, to the hills, the valleys and the towns along the majestic coastline, through the wild wilderness of the Blue Stacks – this will be celebrated like no other.”
Martin Carney gets swept up in the tide of emotion at the final whistle of the football final as Donegal ended a twenty year wait for Sam.

“There were a lot of things said in the book that were incorrect and untrue, some of it about me personally and about some of my players. The person who wrote that book had no researcher on the book to qualify what was said. The other people in the media that wrote fairly vile articles had no researcher to qualify the comments. It was an all-out attack for a couple of months on my character. I know what I’ve done, I know what I’ve coached, I know what I am as a person.”
Meanwhile, Jim McGuinness waits until after the All Ireland final to launch a rebuttal of “This Is Our Year” and removes the author Declan Bogue from the press conference in the process.

Sarsfields shade five star final - Thurles Sarsfields 1-21 De La Salle 1-16

Let’s start with a question. Would De La Salle have won Sunday’s final if they had kept fifteen players on the pitch? Leaving the refereeing decisions aside for a moment, what may torment the Waterford champions in the days and weeks to come when they rewind the tape is the amount of scores that they left behind. By contrast their opponents looked slicker and far more clinical in attack and that’s what stood to them in a final brimming with quality.

De La Salle were playing catch up from the very start and although they drew level on three occasions, they never took the lead. Sarsfields’ attack lived up to their billing and punched holes from the opening minutes. It quickly developed into a fast paced shoot out with 22 scores posted by the interval and another 17 added after the break. Despite the heavy rain en route to Cork, the pitch was in surprisingly good nick apart from the sideline in front of the covered stand. The firm surface created the conditions for a scoring feast. That’s not the type of game that suits Derek McGrath’s outfit but they adjusted and realised that they had to fight fire with fire to survive. You got the feeling however that Thurles were in their element. Their movement and neat inter play between the forwards gave them plenty of space to exploit. It was evident that their speedy inside line put the De La Salle full backs under the cosh. Placing Pa Bourke at the edge of the square gave him a bit of freedom to display his full range of skills and he bagged five from play. And in Denis Maher they possessed a real ball winner who could also pick out a better placed colleague with a killer pass. They were economical in their shooting during the first half and also punished two poor clearances. By full time, 1-18 of their 1-21 total had come from play with eleven different players on target.

De La Salle managed to dig in and stop the rot mid way through the first half which Derek McGrath refered to in his post match comments. “Mid way through the first half we just felt we were getting a hold on it. The gap between our half back line and half forward line was getting narrower and Eddie Barrett was coming into the game and our midfield was coming into the game.” The ever industrious Paudie Nevin made a nuisance of himself all afternoon and tucked away his goal with aplomb. John Keane’s dismissal a minute later put them on the back foot again however. In a gripping game like this, the major talking point was the man in the middle unfortunately. In the only flare-up over the sixty minutes, Shane Hourigan was perfectly placed to make the call but he came down hard on Keane and Denis Maher’s reaction must have influenced him also. Arguments have been made on both sides over whether the red card was merited or otherwise but what everyone could agree upon was that Jake Dillon deserved a penalty with five minutes to go. One minute of injury time at the end also seemed mystifying considering that five substitutes entered the fray. These decisions frustrated players and management but McGrath didn’t linger on the refereeing debate in his post match comments.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, they pounded the Thurles goal at the start of the second half. They re-emerged early clearly with intent to fight for a cause with everything they had. Maybe they were over exuberant in those few minutes after the break when a bit of calmness was required. For instance, Dean Twomey doesn’t normally assume the free taking responsibilities and he should have left that 21 metre free for Jake Dillon to tap over. Even after posting three wides on the trot, they hauled themselves level twice. Crucially though Sarsfields issued an immediate response on both occasions to keep their noses in front.

Cracking efforts from Eoin Madigan and Kevin Moran continued to give De La Salle hope but they couldn’t find a way past Patrick McCormack. The angle was too tight for Nevin to squeeze home his second goal and David Greene doesn’t usually find himself with a clear sight of the target as he had with a couple of minutes to go. As McGrath observed, those chances could have been converted under different circumstances. “We showed in patches during the second half and first half when we got on top that their back line was there to be got at. A couple of chances fell to fellas who wouldn’t be killers on our team; balls fell to players who are more workers.” Thurles could also spring the subs which De La Salle were lacking and Ger O’Grady in particular proved a handful down the stretch as himself, Richie Ruth and Pa Bourke wrapped it up.

The De La Salle half back line didn’t exert their usual influence and Denis Maher was partly the reason for that. Kevin Moran was also carrying a knock which didn’t help matters. Of the six defenders, Brian Phelan was the pick of them and neatly dispossed Lar Corbett in the first half. The back line as a unit found it difficult at times to keep tabs on the Thurles attack and reign in the flow of scores. They improved in the second half as Corbett and a few of his colleagues didn’t make as much of an impression as they had done in the first. Pa Bourke and Maher posed a constant danger and Ger O’Grady could have ended up with four or five points to his name if he took all of his chances when introduced.

They won the midfield battle primarily through the endeavours of Eddie Barrett. He put them on the front foot in a resilient second half effort and pressed on to help out the attack more than usual. He finished up with three points from play and he brought the sides level twice. The half forwards however faced a formidable barrier all afternoon. David Kennedy acted as the spare man, Padraic Maher’s influence grew as the game progressed and Michael Cahill curbed John Mullane’s contribution. With Mullane on the fringes, Jake Dillon took up the slack. A point only three minutes in settled him down and he always made a dent on the Sarsfields’ defence whenever he seized possession thereafter. Even when switched into the full forward line after half time with an extra defender for company, he still won the race for the sliotar.

So Padraic Maher raised the Munster cup for the first time in the history of the Thurles club and all things considered, they were worthy winners of a Munster championship that featured plenty of exciting fare. After the presentation and the speeches, all the De La Salle players and backroom team gathered together in a circle and vowed to return stronger in 2013. Next year, they must modify to remain one step ahead of their local rivals. They lost two tidy corner backs in Darren Russell and Michael Doherty which left them short on defensive cover and that hurt them last Sunday. Shane McNulty will probably receive more game time and look to nail down a permanent spot. Other young players also need to push the established names all the way for a starting place. Until the Waterford championship starts up again however, they are left with the what ifs from Páirc Uí Chaoimh; some of which were in their control and some of which they had no control over at all.

De La Salle can stifle Sarsfields’ attacking flair

 

Thurles Sarsfields v De La Salle

2.00 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Referee: Shane Hourigan (Limerick)
Thurles Sarsfields 1/2 Draw 9/1 De La Salle 15/8

With no Munster title to show after winning 32 county crowns, Thurles Sarsfields go into Sunday’s final carrying great expectations. After putting 2-20 past Sarsfields of Cork, they have been installed as hot favourites. It’s a scenario that suits the Waterford champions.

While the two Sars amassed 39 scores between them, De La Salle ground out the win against Newmarket. The gritty manner in which they carved out the result won’t trouble them as it gives them scope for improvement without any major hype surrounding the camp. They know what provincial finals are all about and what’s required to win them. Ten of Sunday’s starters were involved four years ago when they claimed their first Munster title against Adare. On that occasion, they failed to score in the opening half before storming back on the resumption. In 2010, when they faced Thurles Sarsfields, they led by five points at the break but only clung on by the minimum at the finish. That experience stood to them in Sixmilebridge and they will draw on it again when they enter Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A second clean sheet in a row will give the defence a much needed boost after Lismore and Mount Sion rattled home six goals in the space of two knockout games. Even when Kevin Moran and Ian Flynn swopped places it didn’t appear to disrupt their shape. Moran maintained his high standards in both central positions but Stephen Daniels and Eoin Madigan weren’t far behind him. If they can make it three clean slates on the bounce, they will be in a strong position. With that in mind, the forwards are probably under a bit of pressure to perform after misfiring in the semi final. Only John Keane could hold his hand up afterwards and say that he played up to the required standard. Certainly, more wayward finishing will come at a higher price on Sunday.

Thurles will be full of confidence after they also left it late to see off Sarsfields. While De La Salle rely on their power, physical strength and aerial ability, the Tipperary champions can turn to their high levels of skill and slick touches. Their forwards can inflict devastating damage in a flash if given the space to do so. Aside from the familiar faces of Pa Bourke and the rejuvenated Lar Corbett, young guns Aidan McCormack and Michael O’Brien have been chipping in with their fair share of scores. They are unlikely to be afforded the same latitude that they received a fortnight ago but they have a couple of speedsters that will give the De La Salle defence food for thought. They also weathered a couple of storms to emerge victorious against Kilmallock and Sarsfields so they know how to come through a battle as well.

The midfield battle may ultimately prove the decisive one. Johnny Enright emerged with the man of the match award from the semi final but De La Salle’s pairing have formed one of their strongest units so far this season. Eddie Barrett always puts in a diligent shift around the field, does a lot of unselfish work and is willing to lay off the sliotar to a colleague rather than go for an ambitious score. His partner Dean Twomey is not shy in shooting for a score and bagged two more last time out. He offers an authoritative presence and also rolls up his sleeves to gain possession in tight situations. Enright and Michael Gleeson will have their work cut out to get the better of these two. Both players can land points from distance and distribute the ball into that lively attack but they have a hard working duo to deal with on Sunday.

Sarsfields would prefer a more free flowing and open game while De La Salle will seek to shut the door and let their half back line and midfield dictate the terms of engagement. Thurles have unfinished business after striking seventeen wides in the final two years ago and that supplies them with plenty of motivation. De La Salle have been down this road before however and while they are not without their flaws, they are proven performers and can pick up the pieces from a patchy semi final to eek out a one point win.

Waterford’s record in Munster club hurling finals

1964

Glen Rovers 3-7 Mount Sion 1-7

1965
St Finbarrs 3-12 Mount Sion 2-3

1966
Carrick Davins 2-17 Ballygunner 1-11

1968
Newmarket 5-8 Ballygunner 4-3

1975
Blackrock 8-12 Mount Sion 3-8

1979
Blackrock 0-13 Dunhill 1-8

1981
Mount Sion 3-9 South Liberties 1-4

1988
Patrickswell 3-13 Mount Sion 2-13

1996
Wolfe Tones 4-9 Ballygunner 4-8

1999
St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 4-9 Ballygunner 3-8

2000
Sixmilebridge 2-17 Mount Sion 3-8

2001
Ballygunner 2-14 Blackrock 0-12

2002
Mount Sion 0-12 Sixmilebridge 0-10

2004
Toomevara 1-14 Mount Sion 1-13

2005
Newtownshandrum 0-16 Ballygunner 1-12

2008
De La Salle 1-9 Adare 0-10

2009
Newtownshandrum 2-11 Ballygunner 2-9

2010
De La Salle 0-9 Thurles Sarsfields 0-8

Ballygunner and Fourmilewater crowned champions

Under 21 A Final

Ballygunner 1-13 St Carthages 0-15

The Gunners won their fourth under 21 title on the trot as Pauric Mahony popped up with the winning goal in the third minute of injury time. St Carthages raced into a 0-8 to 0-3 lead after the first quarter with six different players on target. Ballygunner fought back and four Pauric Mahony points closed the gap to two by the interval (0-9 to 0-7). The Eastern champions dominated the third quarter and outscored their opponents by five points to two in that period to leave them 0-12 to 0-10 ahead. In a free ridden second half it became a battle between Mahony and Stephen Bennett. Carthages regained the lead through Bennett’s accuracy and Brian Bennett put them two points clear with five minutes to go. Ray Barry’s switch to centre back reaped rewards for the Westerners as Ballygunner struggled for scores. Another Mahony free bridged a 21 minute wait for a score and brought the defecit down to the minimum. Kieran Bennett restored that two point lead for Carthages and with Barry driving out of defence time after time, the win looked secure. Ballygunner piled on the pressure however in the closing stages and their persistence paid off when Mahony got a touch to Billy O’Keeffe’s crossfield ball with the last puck of the game to claim the spoils.

Scorers:- Ballygunner: P. Mahony 1-11 (10f), C. Power, J. McCarthy 0-1 each.
St Carthages: S. Bennett 0-7 (5f, 1 65’), K. Bennett, R. Barry 0-2 each, J. Shanahan, P. Coleman, B. Bennett, J. Prendergast 0-1 each.

Under 21 B Final

Fourmilewater 2-16 Passage 3-11

A Jamie Barron inspired Fourmilewater edged an exciting curtain raiser in sticky conditions at Fraher Field. Four points from Barron and one courtesy of Shane Ryan put them five points up within nine minutes. John Whitty’s goal in the tenth minute kick started Passage however and they hit the front when Thomas Whitty lobbed the sliotar over the back pedalling Fourmile' goalkeeper and into the net from 70 metres out. Barron steadied the ship for Fourmile with a goal just before half time to leave them 1-8 to 2-4 ahead at the break. The sides were level on three occasions in an absorbing second period. Jamie Barron and Seamus Barry traded frees but Kenneth Brazil pounced for a crucial Fourmile’ goal with seven minutes to go. They surged five points clear but Richard Hurley buried an injury time goal to set up a tense finale. Barron wrapped up the win with a late free which brought his tally to 1-13.

Scorers:- Fourmilewater: J. Barron 1-13 (1-9f, 1 65’), K. Brazil 1-0, D. Murphy 0-2, S. Ryan 0-1.
Passage: S. Barry 0-8 (7f), J. Whitty 1-1, R. Hurley, T. Whitty 1-0 each, L. Flynn, J. Cunningham 0-1 each.

Waterford’s record in Munster club football since 2000

 

2000 quarter final
Moyle Rovers 2-2 The Nire 0-7

2001 quarter final
Drom Broadford 2-9 Stradbally 0-9

2002 quarter final
Monaleen 1-12 Stradbally 2-6

2003
No Waterford representative

2004 quarter final
Stradbally 0-11 Loughmore Castleiney 1-7

2004 semi final
Stradbally 1-12 Bishopstown 0-12

2004 final
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-9

2004 final replay
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-8

2005 semi final
Nemo Rangers 1-14 Stradbally 0-10

2006 semi final
The Nire 1-6 Aherlow 1-6

2006 semi final replay
The Nire 1-10 Aherlow 0-6

2006 final
Dr Crokes 2-5 The Nire 0-8

2007 semi final
Ballinacourty 2-6 Kilcummin 0-8

2007 final
Nemo Rangers 1-10 Ballinacourty 1-7

2008
No Waterford representative

2009 semi final
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally 0-6

2010 quarter final
Stradbally 0-7 Doonbeg 0-4

2010 semi final
Nemo Rangers 1-12 Stradbally 1-5

2011 quarter final
Dr Crokes 3-13 Ballinacourty 0-7

Tall order for Stradbally in Clonakilty

Castlehaven v Stradbally

Clonakilty at 2.00
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)
Clonakilty 1/16 Draw 16/1 Stradbally 15/2

A swift eight day turnaround for Stradbally as they point the bus towards West Cork for Sunday’s Munster semi final. They took plenty of punishment over two hours of football against The Nire and shipped a couple of knocks. Castlehaven meanwhile eased themselves into the Munster campaign with an eleven point win over Drom Broadford two weeks ago and will be well rested for this one.

Seven previous raids into Munster have only yielded one final appearance for the Reds. That came back in 2004 when they came up short against Kilmurry Ibrickane after a replay. Waterford clubs have made the decider on three occasions in the last decade but one win out of the last four outings in the province shows the step up in class that Stradbally must make this weekend. Their defence must hold firm yet again to give them any chance of causing a shock against a confident Castlehaven.

After being reduced to fourteen in the Cork county final, they nicked a win when substitute Shane Nolan punched home a high delivery. They slugged it out with Duhallow for the majority of that game but crushed Drom Broadford last time out and racked up 1-15 in the process. Nolan rattled the rigging for the second game running against the Limerick champions. A couple of future stars are dotted throughout their line-up. Damien Cahalane anchors the heart of the defence at number six while Brian Hurley and Mark Collins up front are on the fringes of Conor Counihan’s plans. Dermot Hurley also offers a strong presence at midfield. Stradbally were the last Déise team to take down a Cork outfit in 2004 when they eliminated Bishopstown but it appears to be an uphill task for the newly crowned Waterford champions to pull off another sizeable scalp on Sunday.