Umpires on their toes - Ballinacourty v The Nire preview

 

The Nire and Kilrossanty proved three weeks ago that the standard of club football in the county can soar to dizzy heights. The pace was fast and furious from throw in and never relented. Another evening of positive play should be in store during this second semi final.

The Nire survived a rigorous examination of their credentials in that quarter final. Following a humiliating hurling exit and starting minus Shane Lawlor, Jamie Barron and Shane Walsh, their younger lights showed conviction. Darren Guiry, Shane Ryan and Conor Gleeson kicked 1-8 between them. In defence, nobody knows this road better than Justin Walsh and John Moore but this pair continue to push for another Conway Cup and defy Father Time. The overall performance levels dipped during the group stages after driving Stradbally to the cliff edge in 2012. That was emphasised by a 1-15 to 0-12 humbling to Saturday’s opponents Only a late revival made the match appear somewhat competitive. At half time, they trailed by 1-11 to 0-3. They sourced the necessary hunger, work rate and precise shooting when the chips were down in the quarter final. Tipperary All Star Declan Browne is also lending a helping hand. Liam Lawlor retreated into a deeper position as that game wore on but his shrewdness in possession may be required closer to the target on this occasion. Five goals in six games reflects that need. An extra week of healing is also no harm.

On their group stage form, Ballinacourty looked like Stradbally’s biggest threat. Their forward fluency saw them sweep to five convincing wins. They sailed into choppy seas against St Saviours in Carraiganore however before they navigated to calm waters by the last quarter. They have realigned their forces this season with Shane Briggs falling back to number three and Sean O’Hare also dropping to number six. The fruits of their underage success are also starting to sprout with names like Collins, Looby and Maloney set to become more familiar in the future. Up front, the spike in Mark Ferncombe’s form has rubbed off on the rest. Patrick Hurney’s big numbers are not restricted to the small ball, Gary Hurney will hope to profit from the Nire’s difficulty under the skyscrapers and Michael O’Halloran is striking the leather with assuredness. 11 goals in six outings is an intimidating amount and the Saviour’s game was their only one without a green flag. They will relish a shootout should the game develop in that fashion.

There is clear motivation for both. Ballinacourty never put forward a strong case for retention of their title last term as they surrendered to Stradbally in the semi final. They have rediscovered the appetite that saw them escape from the monsoon with the silver in 2011. It’s all about unfinished business for The Nire. The Reds rarely give you two shots at a county title but the Ballymacarbry side couldn’t complete their mission on either occasion. Five years is a long gap without a trophy for a team with class dotted throughout the field. On the evidence of 2013, Ballinacourty score around twenty points per game and The Nire shoot around fifteen. Courty can justify their favouritism on a busy evening for the men in white coats.

Betting: Ballinacourty 10/11 Draw 13/2 The Nire 6/5

Prediction: Ballinacourty

Reeling in the finals – SHC Deciders 2000-2012

Runaway train - Mount Sion 1-20 Ballygunner 0-9, 2000
Sion avenged the defeat from the previous year in some style. Playing in a loosely defined wing forward role, Tony Browne scored 1-7 (1-3 from play). Eight up at halfway, Sion were well on their way. Anthony Kirwan also threw in five points as they steamed ahead.

Gunners goal rush - Ballygunner 4-12 Lismore 1-16, 2001
A near miss for the Cathedral town. Lismore sprung from the traps to lead by five early doors and entering the final quarter, they clung to a three point advantage. Paul Flynn didn’t start due to a hand injury but was called into action during the first half and posted 1-2. Billy O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Sullivan and Andy Moloney supplied the other goals. The start of a mazy run to Munster glory for the Gunners.

Greene’s gamble – Mount Sion 1-19 Ballygunner 2-14, 2002
Mount Sion manager Jim Greene dropped long serving net minder Philly Flynn for the 2002 county final and plumped for nineteen year old Ian O’Regan instead. The team was named ten days in advance to give the new number one a chance to prepare. The debutant duly obliged and Ken McGrath pocketed eleven points.

Leave it to Flynner – Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 2-11, 2003
With the last act, Paul Flynn’s 21 metre piledriver cut through the eight man Mount Sion wall and it was time to take two. He scored 2-6 and shouldered the burden of responsibility all afternoon. A nine point showing from Eoin Kelly seemed sufficient for Sion before Flynn’s intervention.

Browne brilliance - Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 1-10, 2003
In those almost annual showdowns at the city venue, Tony Browne and Fergal Hartley brought a sense of style to their defensive work. This replay belonged to Browne. “Time and time again he broke the hearts of the Ballygunner forwards with his huge clearances,” said Jim Greene in the aftermath. Despite leading by two at half time, Ballygunner collapsed on the restart and Eoin McGrath nabbed a vital goal.

Browne weathers the storm - Mount Sion 4-14 Ballygunner 4-7, 2004
A cloud hung over the contest as a controversial semi final between Ballygunner and Lismore saw Paul Flynn suspended for the showpiece. The Gunners still shook the cage of their rivals through goals from Paul Foley, Andy Moloney, Colin Kehoe and Tommy Power. Their hopes perished on Tony Browne at centre back who pulled Sion into shape. Green flags from Ken McGrath, Eoin Kelly, Sean Ryan along with a speculative  Browne effort evaded an unlikely slip-up.

Last gasp Gunners - Ballygunner 2-10 De La Salle 1-12, 2005
On the backfoot in the closing minutes, Paul Flynn swung a glorious winner over his shoulder to dampen De La Salle’s dreams. Salle were well in the running despite shipping first half blows to Tommy Power and Gearoid O’Connor. The more experienced side survived in unpleasant conditions.

Cast adrift – Mount Sion 2-13 Ballygunner 0-12, 2006
The unusual surroundings of Fraher Field for this latest renewal led to an unusual atmosphere. Michael White and Sean Ryan grabbed the goals for Sion while Ken and Eoin McGrath took care of nine points between them. A fifth title in six years ain’t bad.

Red alert – Ballyduff Upper 1-18 Ballygunner 1-14, 2007
“We were relegated three years ago and now here we are as county champions. Every club in the county will take encouragement from that.” A jubilant Ballyduff  Maurice Geary summed up succinctly an emotional afternoon for the underdogs. They took up the early running and six points from stick of Jamie Kearney allowed the Red army to scale the mountain for the first time in twenty years.

Splashworld – De La Salle 0-11 Abbeyside 0-9, 2008
With muck and dirt flying, De La Salle dug out a breakthrough triumph. They made better use of the elements and stormed six in front by the break. Brian Phelan was brilliant with their backs to the wall as Abbeyside attempted to cut their own slice of history.

Maurice magic not sufficient - Ballygunner 4-12 Lismore 2-18, 2009
A topsy turvy thriller. Lismore simply couldn’t shake their opponents despite going ten clear at one point. Stephen O’Keeffe and Paudie Prendergast bagged first half goals as they retired 2-9 to 1-6 in front at the short whistle. Maurice Shanahan sparkled with eleven points. Three second half majors from Gearoid O’Connor, Pauric Mahony and Shane O’Sullivan recovered a replay.

Moloney out on his own – Ballygunner 1-17 Lismore 0-19, 2009
Andy Moloney emerged out of the blue to clear up the replay. He received oceans of space at wing forward and popped over five points from play. Maurice Shanahan ended on the losing side despite scoring 21 points over two weekends.

 

Salle turn the tables – De La Salle 3-13 Ballygunner 1-11, 2010
“I think we’ve finally got the respect we deserve,” stated a satisfied John Mullane afterwards. After suffering a 15 point embarrassment to the same opponents in the group stages, Michael Ryan’s side turned their season upside down. A Paudi Nevin brace, one from Dean Twomey and a man of the match display from Stephen Daniels wiped out Ballygunner well before the end.

Boys are back in town – Ballygunner 1-19 Tallow 0-6, 2011
As soon as Harley Barnes shook the net, Tallow’s fairytale story was flung into the fire. The Bridesiders emerged from the Western section as they defeated Lismore and Ballyduff Upper in the knockout rounds. A new look Gunners outfit shaded an ill tempered semi final with De La Salle  however and capitalised on county final day. Pauric Mahony’s rhythmic free taking and a colossal show of number six play from Wayne Hutchinson led a rout.

Three is the magic number – De La Salle 1-21 Dungarvan 0-12, 2012
Salle’s third title in five years was on the cards as early as the third minute when John Mullane crafted a goal chance which Jake Dillon slotted. A few words of wisdom from Liam Sheedy in the week preceding the final also sharpened the minds. Winning manager Derek McGrath felt the weight of arriving as resounding favourites. “I’m absolutely thrilled, relieved really. I suppose to be installed as huge favourites at the start of the championship and then to kind of live with that tag and deliver on it.

Paths to the summit – Ballygunner v Passage

 

Ballygunner

For: 10-113
Against: 4-100
Scorers: 13
Top Scorer: Pauric Mahony 0-67

Round 1: Mount Sion 0-20 Ballygunner 0-17
Round 2: Ballygunner 1-20 Roanmore 0-11
Round 3: Abbeyside 1-21 Ballygunner 4-6
Round 4: Ballygunner 1-19 Dungarvan 2-13
Round 5: Ballygunner 2-17 Passage 1-9
Quarter Final: Ballygunner 1-21 De La Salle 0-15 (AET)
Semi Final: Ballygunner 1-13 Abbeyside 0-11

Pauric Mahony 0-67
JJ Hutchinson 2-12
Brian O’Sullivan 3-9
Shane O’Sullivan 1-9
Stephen Power 2-2
Barry O’Sullivan 1-2
David O’Sullivan 0-5
Barry Coughlan 1-0
Harley Barnes 0-2
Johnny McCarthy 0-2
Conor Power 0-1
Paul Coughlan 0-1
Shane Walsh 0-1

Passage

For: 14-104
Against: 10-100
Scorers: 13
Top Scorer: Eoin Kelly 6-36

Round 1: Passage 4-15 Abbeyside 1-14
Round 2: Passage 3-13 Roanmore 3-9
Round 3: Passage 0-18 Dungarvan 0-18
Round 4: Passage 2-15 Mount Sion 2-12
Round 5: Ballygunner 2-17 Passage 1-9
Quarter Final: Passage 1-19 Ballyduff Upper 0-17
Semi Final: Passage 3-15 Mount Sion 2-13

Eoin Kelly 6-36

Owen Connors 1-19
John Whitty 2-11
Killian Fitzgerald 1-14
Conor Carey 1-7
Sean Hogan 1-6
Richard Hurley 1-1
Stephen Mason 0-4
Rory Walsh 1-0
Pa Walsh 0-3
Liam Flynn 0-1
Mitchell Baldwin 0-1
Jason Roche 0-1

Stradbally simply sublime - Stradbally 3-18 An Rinn 1-3

 

Stradbally created 31 scoring opportunities last Saturday night. That’s a whopping total in slightly over sixty minutes of fare. They generated 29 in the quarter final.

On another night, Shane Ahearne could have finished with fifteen or sixteen points alongside his name. He settled for twelve, including nine from play. Several assists came from brother Robert as the two dovetailed effortlessly in the central attacking positions. On kickouts, An Rinn got crucified. If Michael Walsh or Paddy Kiely failed to catch the leather cleanly, one of the half forwards (John Coffey, Shane Ahearne or Tommy Connors) soaked it up. Brick again moved to his own beat. He started moves from far flung places like the full back line and he pushed them gently forward.

After a shockwave just seventy seconds in from Bilí Breathnach, Stradbally moved like a well oiled machine. This cold blooded destruction was based around clinical execution, support play and work ethic. They were far too slick in their movement for An Rinn. And when they monopolised midfield, Aonghus Ó hEochaigh didn’t know where to kick it. Led by the Ahearnes, the Stradbally scoring machine continues to purr. 12 goals and 105 points in the space of seven games. That’s around 2-14 per game. The second and third goals came courtesy of careful construction. Tony Grey slalomed through three tackles before placing Robert Ahearne inside and he curled his shot to the corner. A patient build-up set up substitute Luke Casey who trashed the ball in off the crossbar.

An Rinn were hit by an express train. Donie Breathnach succumbed to injury and failed to feature. An Rinn craved his calmness in possession and creativity from centre forward. They needed to field with their strongest fifteen to stand any chance. The positioning of Liam Ó Lonáin at midfield left their ace attacker too far away from the target. Any ground gained was in areas of the field that the Stradbally defence were comfortable with. They were shaken off the ball in the tackle far too easily at times and didn’t show the patience or persistence to chip away at the Red wall. A couple of forward finds will aid their development in 2014.

Any stopping the 8/13 title favourites? They look hungrier than ever even with all the medals making their pockets rather heavy. The sense lingers that they will enter a battle before the Conway Cup is claimed but they are braced for it.

An Rinn railing against Red tide - Stradbally v An Rinn Preview

An overdue semi final appearance for An Rinn after knocking around the knockout stages for a couple of years. They must attack this rare opportunity rather than curl up into a ball. Other breakthrough teams haven’t fared well when faced with one of the top three at this stage of the competition. In 2011, Kilrossanty shipped a heavy defeat to Ballinacourty (0-14 to 1-2) and last year, Clashmore suffered at the hands of The Nire (3-13 to 0-15). How can An Rinn close the gap?

Stradbally slip-ups are rare. In 2007, Ardmore prevailed by 2-5 to 0-6 as they claimed early goals in each half to seize control. Three years later, Ballinameela pulled a rabbit out of a hat with a late goal but Andy Doyle had just enough time to level. Ten final appearances in twelve years shows that their routine is rarely disrupted.

They may reach this year’s decider by avoiding their fiercest foes. Aided by Oliver Costelloe’s shot stopping, they made light work of Ballinameela in the last eight. The Ahearnes struck 1-7 between them and only the 15 wides could be identified as some sort of homework for Stephen Cunningham’s side. The forward line are now in the habit of running up big scores. 9-86 in six championship games so far. They broke through the twenty point barrier on three occasions in the group stages. Even last year’s county final matchwinner David Grey is not a guaranteed starter. They pick apart their prey with customary patience and cruel precision. Possession is rarely wasted as all players are so comfortable with ball in hand. In that environment, opponents must be economical when openings develop.

An Rinn are unbeaten since an opening round defeat to Ballinacourty in April. Three wins and two draws finally pushed them past the quarter finals. An appearance in the final of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta also aided their growth. They can play to a quick tempo and Liam Ó Lonáin’s searching raids earn a profit. He cut through on two occasions in the quarter finals and after fluffing his first effort, he rippled the net at the second time of asking. A doubt hangs over the fitness of top scorer Donie Breathnach after he left fray with a recurrence of a hamstring strain against Clashmore. It’s almost impossible to see them winning without him. He brings imagination and vision to centre forward. He can pop points off left and right along with a reliable return from frees. A call-up from Niall Carew cannot be far away. In defence, Aonghus Ó hEochaigh has only conceded four times, Noel Ó Murchu and Tadhg Ó hUallacháin provide cool heads while Cillian Ó Murchu and Darach Breathnach are already on the scoresheet in this year’s championship.

The issue for An Rinn lies in their low scoring average of twelve points per game compared with nineteen for Stradbally. One goal in six outings is another worrying statistic. A good start is essential to make the champions sweat and knock them off balance. They will find it hard to match the Reds in the collisions however and unlock their defence with regularity. Stradbally adapt to all situations thrown at them and there is a bank of knowledge stored within the group. With the Shane and Robert Ahearne flying up front, their quest for a fourth title in five seasons should survive An Rinn’s enthusiasm by four or five points.

Betting: Stradbally 1/3 Draw 15/2 An Rinn 3/1

Prediction: Stradbally

Local rivals on collision course - Waterford SHC Semi Finals

Ballygunner will start as 4/7 favourites against near neighbours Passage in the county final on October 13 after a mixed double header of semi finals at Walsh Park last Sunday.

Passage boss Peter Queally realises how other surprise packages have suffered in recent finals. Immediately after the whistle sounded, his focus turned to producing a performance on judgement day. “When the excitement does die down we know that we have nothing won. It’s great to be in a county final but county finals are for winning. You ask Tallow, Dungarvan and these teams that have made the breakthrough in the last couple of years. They just didn’t get to perform on the day so we know that we have to tone things down now and focus on two week’s time and try to bring the county title back to Passage.”

Sixteen years after their last final appearance, they are not prepared to let this chance slide. The hurt of the nineties remains raw. “This club still feel the hurt of reaching three finals in the nineties and that still rankles a lot of these proud, hurling men. They want nothing more than to atone for those defeats and eventually get over the line.”

An extra edge in attack and strength in reserve saw the red and white outstay Mount Sion. They erased a first half meltdown to push clear in the final quarter. Peter Queally’s determined side knuckled down to the task and powered 1-8 to 0-4 ahead after 25 minutes. Conor Carey’s fifth minute goal settled the nerves and the industrious midfield duo of Pa Walsh and John Whitty scored four points between them. A couple of flashpoints then developed and Passage lost their focus. Sion struck for a stunning 2-4 without response. This included goals from Richie Roche and Michael Gaffney but Austin Gleeson’s shift further afield was the most significant factor in a ten point turnaround.

Sion maintained their three point advantage after the third quarter. Queally had realigned however and introduced Thomas Connors and Sean Hogan. The latter fired 1-1 and lofted in the delivery for Rory Walsh to flick home. Eoin Kelly was held scoreless from play yet nine different players got the numbers moving. 14 goals in seven games reflects their attacking menace.

In a rather mundane second semi final, JJ Hutchinson’s goal granted Ballygunner breathing space. Abbeyside never reached the levels shown during their five game unbeaten march as the Gunners restricted their threat to just six points from play. They couldn’t cash in on a strong start and their early momentum ground to a halt as the wides mounted up to eight. The game changing goal was crafted by Shane O’Sullivan and Philip Mahony for Hutchinson to apply the gloss. It nudged them in front and they never let that grip slip. Pauric Mahony kept them ticking with eight points overall as the Gunners controlled the contest without overextending themselves. They nearly left the door open with errant shooting but Abbeyside only narrowed to as close as three.

Manager Andy Moloney demanded more from his charges afterwards. “I don’t think that we played exceptionally well. We know that we have got a lot of work to do, we are up against our near neighbours now for the county final and there will be a lot at stake.” Eleven wides, including eight in the second period, bothered him. “Abbeyside had a lot of wides in the first half and if they hit half of them, they would have went in well in front. It was a funny kind of a day really because when we had the wind in the second half, we were hitting a lot more wides as well. Having said that, we are not striking the ball with conviction. We were kind of tipping them and hoping the wind would do the business. We crawled over the line."

The Gunners have creases to iron out but this occasion is familiar to them and they face opposition that they are accustomed to beating. None of the Passage players know what to expect and that presents the challenge for Peter Queally in the coming fortnight.

Waterford SHC Team of the Semi Finals

 

1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2. Shane O’Donovan (Abbeyside)
3. Barry Coughlan (Ballygunner)
4. Paul Coughlan (Ballygunner)
5. Wayne Hutchinson (Ballygunner)
6. Noel Connors (Passage)
7. Stephen Mason (Passage)
8. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)
9. John Whitty (Passage)
10. Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
11. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
12. Owen Connors (Passage)
13. Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
14. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
15. Sean Hogan (Passage)