Waterford SH Team v Clare

Waterford announced their team after training tonight at Walsh Park for Sunday’s Munster championship quarter final clash with Clare. It includes three championship debutants with Paudie Prendergast, Jamie Barron and Jake Dillon all taking their places in the starting fifteen. Ian O’Regan makes his first championship start since the 2004 All Ireland semi final after edging out Stephen O’Keeffe for the number one shirt. Brian O’Halloran also returns after a three year absence. His last appearance came in the 2010 All Ireland semi final against Tipperary. Shane Fives misses out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the challenge match against Limerick on Friday night. Shane Walsh is also nursing a hamstring injury but may feature at some stage.

1. Ian O’Regan (Mount Sion)
2. Darragh Fives (Tourin)
3. Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater)
4. Noel Connors (Passage)
5. Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan)
6. Michael Walsh (Stradbally)
7. Paudie Prendergast (Lismore)
8. Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
9. Kevin Moran (De La Salle) (captain)
10. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore)
11. Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore)
12. Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore)
13. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)
14. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
15. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)

Loosening up for championship – Waterford 2-30 Limerick 3-24

Blink and you would miss a score or a substitute. 59 scores in seventy minutes on Friday evening left a journalistic colleague running out of space to jot it all down. Such is life on the challenge circuit.

As Mallow basked in the sunshine, Waterford and Limerick were level on fourteen occasions before Martin O’Neill’s goal five minutes from time gave the Déise wiggle room. As the score line suggests, both sides were given freedom to express themselves. Although playing this game was risky business with the Clare collision so close, it was a worthwhile exercise for Michael Ryan and the exchanges were much more hard hitting than last Friday night in Carrick On Suir. During the first half in particular some meaty challenges came flying in. With little at stake however, space soon opened up and as both bainsteoirs started to experiment it developed into a crazy shootout where neither side were running out of bullets. It nearly turned into a Leaving Certificate Maths exam during the second half and while it was below championship temperature, it wasn’t a bad way to pass the evening all the same.

In these conditions, you look for little pointers, a couple of players to stake a claim and to avoid injury most importantly of all.  Unfortunately Shane Fives departed the fray with a suspected hamstring injury after 22 minutes which casts a doubt over his involvement next Sunday. The Waterford half forward line which comprised of Brian O’Halloran, Seamus Prendergast and Pauric Mahony led the attack with purpose. O’Halloran put in a busy first half, Prendergast plucked ball after ball from the sky and Mahony put points over like clockwork from frees and open play. Ray Barry with 1-3 also looked bright and scavenged for possession when needed. Paudie Prendergast deputised for Fives in the second half at corner back and showed that he can fulfil that role if required. The battle for number one between Ian O’Regan and Stephen O’Keeffe rages on as both goalkeepers were given a half each. During the second period, the Mount Sion stopper was called into action to make two routine saves and also flung himself to ground to prevent Niall Moran’s effort. Limerick matched Waterford stride for stride and held an advantage in the physical confrontations. John Allen will have noticed the performance of the reliable Tom Condon, the three point contribution from James Ryan and a second half burst of four points courtesy of Kevin Downes who desperately wanted to impress.

It didn’t take long for this scoring spree to take off. 17 seconds in, Seamus Prendergast sent over the first of 54 points that we would witness. Waterford edged the opening ten minutes by five points to four and then a minute later, a snappy move involving Prendergast and Brian O’Halloran was finished to the top corner by Ray Barry. O’Halloran was to the fore in the first half as his pace and intelligent link up play made him a constant menace. Waterford switched the direction of the attack and began to cut loose. By the twenty minute mark, they were 1-11 to 0-6 in the clear. Shane Fives then departed the fray with Mark Wyse taking his place. Limerick reeled off 2-2 without reply to undo Waterford’s work. Shane Dowling latched onto a break from a puck out to strike a goal on 21 minutes and that was followed by James Ryan’s third point and a free from Dowling. After 25 minutes, Graeme Mulcahy broke swiftly through the cover and finished smartly by shortening the stick and batting the ball past Stephen O’Keeffe. This brought the sides level but four Pauric Mahony points nudged Waterford into a 1-15 to 2-11 interval lead.

In predictable fashion, a string of substitutions took the edge off proceedings. Limerick reconfigured their forward line at half time with four new faces as they made nine switches in total. Waterford also utilised their bench by making seven substitutions of their own. What resulted was thirty scores over thirty five minutes.

Waterford were awarded a penalty on 39 minutes when another fetch from Seamus Prendergast saw him hauled down. Ian O’Regan made the long journey up the field but blasted over. A double from Darragh Fives established a three point cushion but Limerick’s changes were making an impact. Tom Condon was also bursting out of defence to drive things forward. Seanie Tobin squeezed the sliotar to the net on 46 minutes from a narrow angle to level it up again (3-14 to 1-20). The Shannonsiders upped the ante. Declan Hannon sent over four frees and Kevin Downes made an impact on his arrival. His fourth point was a screamer from the sideline under pressure and that put the Shannonsiders 3-22 to 1-25 ahead with ten minutes left. Waterford were restricted to long range efforts but they kept their eye in. They punished any slackness or space with a crisp finishing. Ray Barry notched three points with a high degree of difficulty before they made a sprint finish. On 65 minutes they got a glimpse of goal and Martin O’Neill was at the end of the move o squirm out of a tackle and fire home. That left them two points in front and when he followed that up with a point, the evening’s entertainment was decided in their favour.

Challenge games carry a caution of course but the stage is nearly set. With the blast of heat at our backs, there’s finally some signs of summer in the air. One week to go and the countdown is on. It’s nearly showtime.

Scorers: Waterford – P Mahony 0-12 (7fs, 2 65’), R Barry 1-3, M O’Neill 1-1, J Dillon 0-3, B O’Halloran, S Prendergast, G O’Brien, D Fives 0-2 each, J Barron, D Twomey, I O’Regan (pen) 0-1 each.

Limerick – S Dowling 1-5 (4fs), D Hannon 0-5 (4fs, 1 65’), S Tobin 1-1, G Mulcahy 1-0, K Downes 0-4, J Ryan 0-3, C Allis 0-2, T Ryan, N Moran, D O’Grady, P O’Brien (f) 0-1 each.

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; B Coughlan, S Fives, N Connors; J Nagle, P Prendergast, K Moran; D Fives, D Twomey; B O’Halloran, S Prendergast, P Mahony; R Barry, J Dillon, J Barron.

Subs used: M Wyse, I O’Regan, G O’Brien, T Browne, S Kearney, M O’Neill, E Barrett.

Limerick: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; P O’Brien, W McNamara, G O’Mahony; P Browne, D O’Grady; C Allis, J Ryan, S Hickey; G Mulcahy, S Dowling, S Tobin.

Subs used: K Downes, D Breen, N Moran, D Hannon, C King, A Murphy, M Carmody, A Dempsey, T Quaid.

Referee: C McAllister (Cork)

Little to learn as Tipp make late dash - Tipperary 2-21 Waterford 1-21

 

 

Challenge games pose plenty of conundrums. Managers seek competitive action to tune up for championship but in a loose environment, it doesn’t offer the required intensity to make conclusive judgements on players, formations or tactics. Players want to impress but also avoid the injury that could rule them out of the curtain call. Journalists meanwhile are desperately trying to scribble down scorers and substitutes.

Waterford and Tipperary were level with five minutes remaining at Davin Park in Carrick On Suir before three late points through Johnny Ryan, Brian O’Meara and Noel McGrath saw Eamonn O’Shea’s men pull through. In truth, the pace of the game never rose above lukewarm. 46 players in total saw action as the managers chopped and changed in the second half. It’s difficult to see how either could gain much from the experience.

Supporters on both banks got a drenching in the first half and the fare on the field didn’t take their mind off things. Towards the latter part however, the pace did pick up. A sloppy defensive mix-up gifted Pa Bourke a goal but Waterford recovered. Seamus Prendergast was central to all the positive play up front. Once again, he emphasised his importance to the forward unit with an imposing display. He popped up with three first half points and had a shot saved by Darren Gleeson. Apart from that effort, the Déise found it difficult to carve openings for goals. From long distance, Ray Barry fired three points and Darragh Fives hit a brace as Waterford led by 0-13 to 1-9 at the break.

The substitutions came thick and fast after the interval. There continued to be a lack of bite to the exchanges although the scores kept coming at both ends. Now positioned at full forward, Seamus Prendergast flicked in a goal to give Waterford the initiative. Pauric Mahony also chipped in with a couple to keep them at the head of affairs. Tipperary always threatened a goal however and Stephen O’Keeffe pulled off a fine stop before they flashed one to the net. Pa Bourke supplied Shane Bourke and the man in the red helmet drilled it to the corner despite O’Keeffe’s attempt to the keep it out. Tony Browne made his return at centre back mid way through the half along with seven other Waterford substitutes. Not much separated the sides on the night and a late flurry of tidy Tipperary points saw them shade the verdict.

There were only a couple of snippets for Michael Ryan to take note of. Darragh Fives showed that he can perform more than capably around midfield and also drive forward to take a score. Finding a partner for Shane O’Sullivan has been a head scratcher but the Tourin man could offer the solution. Ray Barry and Pauric Mahony caught the eye up front and at the back Shane Fives was again solid at corner back. In the absence of Stephen Daniels, this is another jersey that is up for grabs. More work is required on how to break down defences and the movement will need to be much slicker to rattle in a couple on the June Bank Holiday weekend. Despite the experimentation that was conducted, Tipperary certainly seemed a couple of steps ahead in this regard. Friday’s game offered a reminder that Seamus Prendergast must stay fit if Waterford are to make headway this summer. Nothing enlightening about that just a reinforcement of what we knew already.

Scorers: Tipperary – P Bourke 1-3 (1 65'), S Bourke 1-0, E Kelly, J Ryan 0-3 each, B O’Meara, J O’Brien, S Callanan (1f), B Maher, S McGrath 0-2 each, C O’Brien, N McGrath 0-1 each.

Waterford – S Prendergast 1-3, P Mahony 0-5 (2fs), M Shanahan (3fs), R Barry 0-4 each, D Fives 0-3, J Dillon, J Barron 0-1 each.

Tipperary: D Gleeson; M Cahill, D Maher, J O’Keeffe; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, C O’Brien; S McGrath, J Ryan; P Bourke, P Maher, J O’Brien; B O’Meara, E Kelly, M Heffernan.

Subs used: B Cummins, K Bergin, P Curran, J Barry, S Callanan, S Bourke, B Maher, N McGrath.

Waterford: I O’Regan; S Fives, L Lawlor, N Connors; J Nagle, M Walsh, K Moran; S O’Sullivan, D Fives; M Shanahan, S Prendergast, J Dillon; R Barry, P Mahony, J Barron.

Subs used: S O’Keeffe, M O’Neill, E Barrett, D Twomey, B Coughlan, K Fitzgerald, T Browne, M Wyse.

Referee: J Owens (Wexford)

Waterford SHC Team of Round 2

1. Ian O'Regan (Mount Sion)
2. Evan Collins (Abbeyside)
3. Stephen O'Neill (Mount Sion)
4. Maurice O'Gorman (Fourmilewater)
5. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
6. Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater)
7. David Collins (Abbeyside)
8. Shane Ryan (Fourmilewater)
9. Dean Twomey (De La Salle)
10. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
11. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)
12. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
13. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
14. Shane Walsh (Fourmilewater)
15. Patrick Hurney (Abbeyside)

Mixed bag as favourites prevail - Waterford SHC Round 2

 

No major surprises on a mixed weekend in the hurling championship. Mount Sion and Abbeyside collided in a game where the issue was in doubt right up to the finish. In the end, Anthony Kirwan’s side proved that they will be in the mix come the knock out stages. Fourmilewater showed their steel in the second half to see off Tallow and maintain an impressive recent record in championship fare. As anticipated, De La Salle made light work of their assignment against the 2012 intermediate champions. Unfortunately, disciplinary matters also came to light last weekend. Sunday afternoon saw some ugly scenes at Walsh Park and two players were given their marching orders in Cappoquin. The crowds were also noticeably low at several fixtures.  

Reigning champions De La Salle went on the rampage to blitz An Rinn by 4-17 to 0-11 on Saturday evening. Jake Dillon rattled home 3-6 as Derek McGrath’s men secured their second win of the campaign in Group 1.

De La Salle coasted 2-9 to 0-4 clear at half time despite playing into a stiff breeze at Fraher Field. The sides were level at three points apiece after a tight opening quarter but they routed their opponents thereafter. Dillon sent a low drive to the net on 19 minutes and Dean Twomey added another green flag on the stroke of half time. With the wind in their favour, they showed no mercy on the resumption. Dillon struck his second from a 21 metre free on 43 minutes and completed his hat trick a minute later. The rising inter county star has accumulated a whopping 4-14 in two championship outings. An Rinn are now pointless after two outings despite the best efforts of Donie Breathnach.

Fourmilewater joined De La Salle at the top of Group 1 with a 2-12 to 0-13 win over Tallow in Cappoquin on Sunday afternoon. Two goals from Jamie Barron gave Fourmile’ a 2-5 to 0-8 interval lead after playing against the elements but the game turned sour in the second half. Barron and Aiden Kearney were shown straight red cards for an off the ball incident after 41 minutes and referee Jim Murphy also brandished six yellow cards. Tallow closed to within a point on three occasions in the second half as Paul Kearney and Robert O’Sullivan played leading roles in their fightback. Shane Walsh and Shane Ryan scored five points between them however in the final quarter to seal the win for Fourmilewater.

In Group 2, Mount Sion also collected their second success after they sneaked past Abbeyside by 1-18 to 1-15. The sides were level on eleven occasions before Sion outscored their opponents by four points to one in the final quarter. Wind assisted Abbeyside led by 1-12 to 1-10 at the break. In an entertaining half of hurling, the game moved briskly from end to end. Patrick Hurney nipped in ahead of Ian O’Regan to flick to the net in the third minute. In a see saw first half, Sion bounced back when Stephen Roche rifled home on eight minutes. Ian O’Regan denied Patrick Hurney his second major with a spectacular save as he dived full length to keep it out. The inter county stopper made some crucial interventions to limit the damage when Abbeyside looked dangerous in front of goal. The Villagers nudged ahead by two at half time but Sion could look forward to having the elements in their favour. The scores dried up in the second period but the exchanges remained close. After a tense third quarter, the sides were all square at 1-14 apiece. County minor Austin Gleeson, who contributed nine points, edged Sion in front with seven minutes left and they pushed on as Stephen Roche, Gavin Carroll and Eoin McGrath registered late points.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Ballygunner recovered from an opening round defeat to ease past Roanmore (1-20 to 0-11) in an ill tempered affair at Walsh Park on Sunday. The game was marred by a thirty man scuffle which broke out in the opening minutes but no cards were issued to either side. Brian O’Sullivan’s fifth minute goal gave Ballygunner breathing space as they consigned the Sky Blues to their second loss. The Gunners are yet to hit top form but Pauric Mahony’s free taking kept the scoreboard ticking over as they snapped up the two points.

The remaining two fixtures (Dungarvan versus Passage and Lismore versus Ballyduff Upper) were postponed due to deaths in the Dungarvan and Ballyduff Upper clubs.

All about momentum - Waterford SHC Round 2 Previews

The tie of round 1 was unquestionably the battle between De La Salle and Ballyduff Upper which went right to the wire before the champions stretched clear at the finish. Overall the fare was of decent standard. A couple of clubs are moving nicely, a few with a bit of work to do and one or two already looking nervously at the trap door. The nature of the group stages means that some of the edge is taken from the games. It is after all a marathon rather than a sprint and the top teams may be conserving their energies for the knock out stages. The timing of the fixtures also affected the attendances. Looking ahead to the second round, there is plenty to play for with each club seeking to gain ground before the break.

11 May

De La Salle v An Rinn (6.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1

De La Salle rolled up their sleeves to get the job done in a tricky opener. Kevin Moran rose to the challenge once more from centre back to make some key plays and Jake Dillon posed a constant danger. They may still need to find another scoring forward to retain their title but that can wait as they should have plenty to spare over last year’s intermediate champions. An Rinn never got up to speed against Tallow and sorely missed the ball winning capabilities of Liam O’Lonain.
Odds: De La Salle 1/12 Draw 16/1 An Rinn 6/1
Prediction: De La Salle

Mount Sion v Abbeyside (7.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
Mount Sion came through with something to spare over Ballygunner and a three point winning margin didn’t reflect their superiority. They got the match-ups spot on as their speedy forward line was a rich source of scores. With Chris Ryan commanding at full back, they smothered the forwards and if they keep their feet on the ground, they can complete an impressive opening championship chapter. Abbeyside will need to tighten up in the full back line for this one as Passage exploited some alarming gaps to plunder four goals. Michael O’Halloran caught the eye up front but they are understrength in key areas to stop Sion in their tracks.
Odds: Mount Sion 2/5 Draw 10/1 Abbeyside 2/1
Prediction: Mount Sion

12 May

Ballygunner v Roanmore (2.00 at Walsh Park) Group 2
Ballygunner will be keen to make up for a rusty display in round one. Philip Mahony was influential at number six but further up the field they failed to ignite. With Roanmore reeling from an eighteen point defeat, they should get back on track. Daniel Murphy and Laurence O’Neill were the only two players to emerge with credit from that drubbing as Gavin O’Brien also limped off with an injury before the end. Another tough afternoon lies in wait for the Sky Blues.
Odds: Ballygunner 1/10 Draw 16/1 Roanmore 11/2
Prediction: Ballygunner

Passage v Dungarvan (3.30 at Walsh Park) Group 2
On last week’s evidence, this could turn into a scoring feast. Dungarvan issued an early statement that they aren’t going away while Passage showed an appetite for goals led by the magnificent Eoin Kelly. Patrick Curran could start here after effortlessly making the step up to senior in the second half of last Sunday’s game. Cormac, Colm and Cathal also contributed handsomely but this is a different challenge. Passage can put together intricate patterns and with Kelly putting in a hard shift along with a big score, they may scrape through here.
Odds: Passage 11/10 Draw 8/1 Dungarvan 4/5
Prediction: Passage

Tallow v Fourmilewater (3.00 at Cappoquin) Group 1
Fourmilewater have only lost one of their last nine championship outings which generates momentum. Although below their best against Lismore, they got there by a nose. Tallow will put up stubborn resistance after receiving a confidence boosting win over An Rinn. Thomas Ryan hasn’t lost his eye for goal and his scoring duel with Jamie Barron will make for fascinating viewing.
Odds: Tallow 11/4 Draw 10/1 Fourmilewater 2/7
Prediction: Fourmilewater

Waterford SHC Team of Round 1

 

1. Seanie Barry (Lismore)

2. Shane Kearney (Dungarvan)

3. Chris Ryan (Mount Sion)

4. Shane Lawlor (Fourmilewater)

5. Seamus Hannon (Ballyduff Upper)

6. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)

7. James Murray (Tallow)

8. Stephen Molumphy (Ballyduff Upper)

9. Cormac Curran (Dungarvan)

10. Ian Galgey (Mount Sion)

11. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)

12. Eoin Kelly (Passage)

13. Thomas Ryan (Tallow)

14. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)

15. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)