Two places up for grabs - SFC Round 5 Predictions

The lifeless group stages are almost over. The average winning margin over the 24 games currently rests at nearly nine points. Nine of these have been settled by double digit margins (ten points or more). An urgent championship revamp is required to prevent these annual hammerings. Ballinacourty and The Nire will top the standings and both have completed their business in clinical style. They have fired home 19 goals between them. The group winners should be guaranteed a spot in the semi finals as a reward, another flaw with the current system. Two quarter final places in Group 2 are still up in the air. St Saviours, Gaultier, De La Salle and Ballinameela will squabble for these vacancies on Sunday evening.

Saturday August 30

Ballinacourty v Kilrossanty (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Nothing wrong so far with the manner of Courty’s title defence. 9-55 scored and a mere 2-29 conceded. Nine different players contributed in the 24 point thumping of Clashmore. Mark Ferncombe and Patrick Hurney are the tormentors in chief at present. Rathgormack’s defensive system tested them in round one but no other team has attempted those frustration tactics. Kilrossanty are hard to get a handle on. They went through the motions for their first three games before they blasted 3-14 against Rathgormack. Which Kilrossanty will turn up here? Tommy Prendergast bosses the middle and that high fielding and ball carrying spurs on the rest of the team. They have been threatening to take a big scalp for a couple of seasons but may hold something back for the knockout rounds.

Prediction: Ballinacourty

An Rinn v Rathgormack (7.00 at Stradbally)
Both sides are safely through but An Rinn will pursue that second spot to ensure a slightly easier quarter final. They are the only team out of the twelve yet to give away a championship goal. They are out to prove that last year’s semi final appearance wasn’t a once in a lifetime event. Gavin Nugent spearheads the Rathgormack attack and without him they surrendered to Kilrossanty last time out. They rely on getting plenty of bodies behind the ball and keeping it tight. An Rinn’s movement must be sharp to claim their fourth win.

Prediction: An Rinn

Clashmore v Ardmore (7.00 at Bushy Park)
A difficult 2014 in both codes for these two. Clashmore fell to the junior hurling ranks last weekend and Ardmore are on the brink of a swift return to intermediate. The loser here will be involved in the relegation play-off. It’s hard to envisage a flurry of scores. Clashmore will bank on the flair of Brian O’Halloran and Paul O’Connor after a goalless campaign to date. Ardmore look to Seamus Keating and the Gartlands but they are missing too many key men at present. The green and red by a fraction.

Prediction: Clashmore

Sunday August 31

Stradbally v St Saviours (7.00 at Walsh Park)
Back to back wins over Ballinameela and Gaultier should be enough for Saviours regardless of the outcome here. Their low point totals will be a worry however. Stradbally are yet to show the form of old. County minor Michael Sweeney already looks like a decent addition to the full forward and he posted 1-3 against Ballinameela. Michael Walsh settled into a redefined number six role during that game as the Reds again turn to the reliable names.

Prediction: Stradbally

De La Salle v Ballinameela (7.00 at Fraher Field)
De La Salle are in with a shout for the quarters but either team could end up with relegation worries by the end of the evening. A horrendous scoring difference means that survival is the best that Ballinameela can hope for. They have only managed 24 points to date compared to 2-38 for their Eastern opponents. The intermediate champions can push on.

Odds: De La Salle 4/9 Draw 7/1 Ballinameela 2/1
Prediction: De La Salle

The Nire v Gaultier (7.00 at Kill)
The Nire have bulldozed through all Group 2 opponents in their path. They have hit 10-58 and their average winning margin stands at 14 points. A JJ Hutchinson charged Gaultier have a quarter final at stake. Hutchinson is responsible for 60 per cent of their scores as he continues to carry a lone striker tag. They will need Wayne to dictate the midfield in order to stay competitive.

Prediction: The Nire

SHC Team of Round 5 & Top Scorers

1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2. Justin Walsh (Fourmilewater)
3. Sean O’Hare (Abbeyside)
4. Paul Fennessy (Lismore)
5. Shane O’Donovan (Abbeyside)
6. Noel Connors (Passage)
7. Barry Coughlan (Ballygunner)
8. Emmet O’Toole (Roanmore)
9. Paul O’Brien (Tallow)
10. Mark Ferncombe (Abbeyside)
11. Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore)
12. Conor Carey (Passage)
13. Evan Sheehan (Tallow)
14. Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper)
15. Gavin Crotty (Dungarvan)

Top Scorers
Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) 3-47
Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore) 4-40
Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) 0-48
Maurice Shanahan (Lismore) 4-28
Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) 0-38

Quarter final pairings decided - SHC Round 5

Only eight clubs still standing after Saturday's six game schedule. Lismore got there by the skin of their teeth against Fourmilewater in a disappointing encounter in Dungarvan. Abbeyside made it three wins on the spin in a cracking contest with Roanmore. Tallow also got the job done in high scoring fashion. Passage and Dungarvan made significant statements in the double bill at Walsh Park and that quarter final duel leaps off the page. Ardmore and Fourmilewater must square off to decide who drops down to intermediate. De La Salle remain the bookies' choice for the top prize at 10/11.

Passage have rediscovered their appetite over the past fortnight and crushed Group 1 winners De La Salle (2-14 to 1-14) at Walsh Park to confirm their quarter final berth. A total of twenty wides showed their sheer dominance over the hour. Eoin Kelly flicked to the net in the sixth minute after a Thomas Connors assist to settle Peter Queally’s side. Jake Dillon’s reply on 24 minutes allowed Salle to equalise. Conor Carey bundled home just before the break to leave three between them (2-8 to 1-8). A complete team performance overwhelmed their opponents and early second half efforts from Carey and Killian Fitzgerald stretched their advantage. Although De La Salle closed to within two, Owen Connors posted three unanswered points to give the holders wriggle room.

In the opening act at the city venue, Dungarvan ruthlessly disposed of Mount Sion (4-14 to 1-19). Patrick Curran’s goal after 14 minutes illuminated a dull first half that the Blues shaded 1-5 to 0-7. Gavin Crotty’s move to full forward caused carnage in the Sion defence. A brace of goals in the third quarter put Dungarvan ten points ahead (3-12 to 0-13). Cormac Curran finished the contest with a fourth on 48 minutes. Austin Gleeson buried a late penalty for Sion.

Maurice Shanahan measured a last minute free to supply Lismore with the draw they required to reach the quarter finals and nudged Fourmilewater towards the relegation play-off. After missing out on the latter stages last season, Shanahan scored a decisive 1-6 for Sean Prendergast’s men in a 2-11 to 1-14 stalemate at Fraher Field.

Lismore led 2-5 to 0-5 following a pedestrian first half. Dan Shanahan shot low to the far corner on 15 minutes and Maurice burst through for a second two minutes before the break. The introduction of Dermot Ryan recharged Fourmilewater and he registered two points before setting up Conor Gleeson for a cool finish on 41 minutes. In a frantic finale, Stephen Ryan snuck Fourmile’ into a slender lead before Maurice Shanahan ultimately proved Lismore’s saviour.

In a six goal thriller at Clashmore, Tallow pipped thirteen man Ardmore (3-17 to 3-15) to make the cut for the quarters. Evan Sheehan’s first half hat trick shoved Seamus Prendergast and company into a relegation play-off. Sheehan finished on 3-2 and has now struck five goals in three championship games. Tallow earned a 3-7 to 1-10 lead at halfway with Cathal Hennessy obliging for Ardmore. Substitute Eoin Conway and Seamus Prendergast bagged second half majors but Thomas Ryan kept Tallow on course. Ryan ended with eight points (five from play). Ardmore full back Conor O’Shea received his marching orders for a second yellow and David Gartland followed on a straight red.

Tiernan Murray’s second half strike saw Abbeyside break Roanmore’s resistance and progress to the knockout phase (1-20 to 2-12). The Sky Blues held a 0-10 to 0-7 half time advantage at Kill. Abbeyside showed greater urgency on the resumption and Murray found the roof of the net during the third quarter to alter the complexion. Emmet O'Toole and Eoin Madigan netted for Roanmore who finished fifth in Group 1 and retained their senior status.

Three goals in the opening ten minutes kept Ballygunner’s flawless record intact under Fergal Hartley as they had a cosy nine point win over Ballyduff Upper (3-21 to 1-18). Defender Barry Coughlan scored the goal of the championship on seven minutes as he soloed from his own 65 metre line and slammed the ball past John Twomey. Conor Power and Brian O’Sullivan then raised green flags in the tenth minute. Pauric Mahony also threw in ten points. Promising young forward Mikey Kearney hit a fabulous 1-14 for a battling Ballyduff who extend their nine year senior stay despite this defeat.

Waterford SHC Quarter Finals
Friday September 5
De La Salle v Tallow (8.00 at Fraher Field)

Saturday September 6
Dungarvan v Passage (7.30 at Fraher Field)

Sunday September 14
Abbeyside v Mount Sion (2.00 at Walsh Park)
Ballygunner v Lismore (3.30 at Walsh Park)

Waterford SHC Relegation Play-Off
Thursday September 4
Fourmilewater v Ardmore (8.00 at Fraher Field)

Saturday scramble for four tickets - SHC Round 4 Predictions

The final round of SHC group games packed into Saturday evening are full of possibility with Group 1 providing the most intrigue. Mount Sion and Dungarvan joined Ballygunner and De La Salle last weekend but the remaining eight teams are still mathematically in the chase for the other four positions.

Group Predictions:
Group 1: De La Salle, Abbeyside, Lismore, Passage
Group 2: Ballygunner, Mount Sion, Dungarvan, Tallow
Relegation Play-Off: Fourmilewater v Ardmore

Saturday 23 August

Ballygunner v Ballyduff Upper (5.30 at Fraher Field)
The Reds tend to fare well in this fixture. They famously defeated the Gunners in the 2007 county final and also achieved group wins in 2010 and 2012. Current form points towards a change to that pattern. Ballygunner are hammering over 27 points per game compared with 16 for Ballyduff Upper. Fergal Hartley’s side coasted through the group stages and are playing the same possession based game plan that brought them so close to silverware last year. Barring a catastrophic defeat, Ballyduff Upper should survive in the senior ranks in fifth position. If Ardmore win, their points difference could work in their favour.

Prediction: Ballygunner

Tallow v Ardmore (5.30 at Clashmore)
The two lowest scorers of the championship collide in Clashmore. 1-13 is the biggest total that Tallow have put up thus far and Robert O’Sullivan needs to have a near flawless evening on frees. Seamus Prendergast has scored 3-31 out of 4-43 for Ardmore. Points difference means that the 2013 intermediate champions require a big win to put themselves in the quarter final picture. Defeat may still keep Tallow on course but victory would guarantee a safe passage. A lot of this team have been around the block at this level and that should stand to them.

Prediction: Tallow

Mount Sion v Dungarvan (5.30 at Walsh Park)
This game will settle second place in Group 2. Mount Sion got the Ballygunner setback out their system by shooting 1-26 against Ardmore. Richie Roche moved back to the forward line after deputising for Ian O’Regan and he has four championship goals to his credit. Dungarvan are the second highest scorers in the championship behind the Gunners with six potent attackers. They can be even more ruthless at times and 16 wides last time around will concern Blues boss James O’Connor. This game will reveal more about how these two are shaping up for the business end of the season. Dungarvan left this game behind last year and maybe the Walsh Park factor will sneak this in Sion’s favour.

Prediction: Mount Sion

De La Salle v Passage (7.00 at Walsh Park)
A clash of two attack-minded teams. 7-63 in the De La Salle account so far and 5-67 for Passage. The holders claimed their first win since the county final last Friday to ease the pressure somewhat. Eoin Kelly’s return gives them a sense of menace at the edge of the square. They still concede too many chances at the other end and Eddie Lynch has been kept on his toes. With a shootout in prospect, De La Salle get the nod to finish on maximum points due to their tighter defensive unit.

Prediction: De La Salle

Lismore v Fourmilewater (7.00 at Fraher Field)
Fourth round defeats mean that victory is only option for these two to put their name in the hat for the next stage. Fourmile’ have lacked a threat close to goal in the absence of Shane Walsh as one green flag in four games suggests. Lismore fought back to level up three times against Abbeyside last Saturday but couldn’t push on. 11 wides (including five from Maurice Shanahan) hindered them. This could come down to a battle between Shanahan and Jamie Barron. Only one team can progress and a more settled Lismore may have the edge here.

Odds: Lismore 10/11 Draw 8/1 Fourmilewater Evens
Prediction: Lismore

Abbeyside v Roanmore (7.00 at Kill)
Two wins on the bounce leaves Abbeyside in control of their own destiny. Patrick Hurney was back among the goals last Saturday night and has become the leader of the attack over the past two seasons. Mark Ferncombe has switched successfully to the frees and John Hurney enjoyed his new centre forward role against Lismore. Richie Foley has settled at centre back with Sean O’Hare at number three. Roanmore ran out of steam against De La Salle when Gavin O’Brien made way early in the second half. With their star man likely to start and with Shane and Brian Nolan also on the comeback trail, the Sky Blues will target a rare knockout appearance. 25 points separated them last year but expect a much tighter game this time.

Odds: Abbeyside 2/7 Draw 12/1 Roanmore 5/2
Prediction: Abbeyside

SHC Team of Round 4 & Top Scorers

1. Eddie Lynch (Passage)
2. Joseph Upton (Passage)
3. Alan Kirwan (Ballygunner)
4. Paul Fennessy (Lismore)
5. David O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
6. Richie Foley (Abbeyside)
7. Shane O’Donovan (Abbeyside)
8. Killian Fitzgerald (Passage)
9. Martin O’Neill (Mount Sion)
10. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
11. John Hurney (Abbeyside)
12. Patrick Hurney (Abbeyside)
13. Ryan Donnelly (Dungarvan)
14. Eoin Kelly (Passage)
15. Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)

Top Scorers
Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) 0-41
Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore) 3-31
Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) 2-33
Maurice Shanahan (Lismore) 3-22
Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner) 0-28

Abbeyside and Passage gain ground - SHC Round 4

In a bunched finish behind De La Salle in Group 1, Abbeyside and Passage made telling moves over the weekend to boost their quarter final hopes.

Abbeyside shaded a lively contest against Lismore at Fraher Field on Saturday night (3-13 to 1-15). John Hurney (2-1), Patrick Hurney (1-4) and Mark Ferncombe (six points) all impressed for the victors.

The Villagers held a three point half time lead (2-5 to 1-5). Patrick Hurney lashed in a low shot on 14 minutes to give them the upper hand. John Heneghan pounced for Lismore on 27 minutes after Maurice Shanahan’s shot was saved. Abbeyside went straight up the other end when John Hurney whipped home after his first effort was hooked.

Four points in succession from Lismore levelled the tie on 43 minutes as they used the breeze at their backs. Maurice Shanahan scored nine points and Ray Barry popped up two corkers from midfield. The teams were on equal terms three times during the second period. Abbeyside only clung to a slender lead when John Hurney charged through the centre on 55 minutes to unleash a powerful bullet through Seanie Barry and seal the deal.

Passage came out fighting on Friday night to claim a 3-18 to 1-18 win over Fourmilewater in a crunch clash at Fraher Field. Goals through Eoin Kelly, Conor Carey and Rory Walsh got them back in the shake-up.

In the ninth minute, Fitzgerald’s mishit point attempt landed to the left of the uprights but Eoin Kelly was lurking to deflect the ball to the far corner past Brendan Lawlor (1-4 to 0-2). Passage number one Eddie Lynch pulled off two saves but he could do little to prevent Fourmilewater’s goal on 25 minutes. Dermot Ryan flicked in a clever shot with his back to goal after Lynch initially blocked Shane Ryan. Passage rebounded on 27 minutes when Rory Walsh teed up Conor Carey to fire to the net and they made the dressing rooms 2-11 to 1-9 in front.

Although Fourmilewater reduced the damage to three points with a Barron double from frees, a scrambled concession put them on the backfoot once more. Sean Hogan dropped in a dangerous delivery and Rory Walsh eventually finished from close range. Eoin Kelly shot over an audacious point to complete the job and he contributed 1-6 in all. Their opponents enter the final round with just one win under their belt.

A double blast from John Keane allowed De La Salle to maintain their unbeaten streak as they dispatched Roanmore by 2-19 to 0-11 at Walsh Park. Allen Dillon’s side left four in front at half time (1-8 to 0-7). Keane’s first came in a fortuitous manner as he managed to get his fingers to Kevin Moran’s cross on the quarter hour as he attempted to catch. Gavin O’Brien accounted for six of Roanmore’s first half takings. Paul O’Sullivan trimmed the gap to three on the restart but the Sky Blues were shaken when O’Brien departed injured after 35 minutes. Salle added six singles without reply before Keane struck for his second with five minutes left.

Dungarvan strolled towards the quarters from Group 2 as they did enough in the first half to brush off Ballyduff Upper by seven (1-18 to 1-11). With wind assistance, all six forwards posted scores by the break as they raced ten clear (0-14 to 0-4). Full forward Ryan Donnelly hit four of those. The Reds threatened a recovery and narrowed to within five by the close of the third quarter. Chief scorer Mikey Kearney struck seven and Cian Leamy also foraged at midfield. The Blues quelled the comeback and Patrick Curran returned from minor duty to strike a goal in off the post on 52 minutes. Jamie Kearney bagged a late consolation when Stephen Molumphy burst through and Kearney fizzed the roof of the net.

Free scoring Ballygunner kept up their one hundred per cent record on Sunday night with an eighteen point hammering of Tallow (1-25 to 1-7). Although Evan Sheehan’s goal on 37 minutes brought Tallow back into contention, Conor Power responded instantly at the other end. Pauric Mahony bagged ten points (six from play) and Brian O’Sullivan struck six as ten separate sources delivered.

Mount Sion walloped Ardmore by 15 points at the Kill grounds (1-26 to 2-8) to confirm their progression. Richie Roche’s goal after merely 30 seconds pushed Sion 1-15 to 1-4 ahead by half time. Martin O’Neill (ten points) and Austin Gleeson (six points) also enjoyed prolific outings as Anthony Kirwan’s side coasted through. Seamus Prendergast shot 2-6 in a losing cause for Ardmore. They must defeat Tallow next Saturday to avoid a relegation play-off.

Moving weekend - SHC Round 4 Predictions

The heat is on for those precious quarter final places. Group 1 is becoming a tricky puzzle to solve. De La Salle top the pile put only point splits the other five clubs. Friday night’s fixture between Passage and Fourmilewater will prove significant as well as Abbeyside’s clash with Lismore on Saturday. This won’t be finalised until round five. With points difference possibly coming into play, every score matters at this stage. Group 2 looks more straightforward. Dungarvan and Mount Sion should join Ballygunner in the knockout phase with the other three in a race for the remaining spot.

 Friday 15 August

De La Salle v Roanmore (Walsh Park at 7.00)
Roanmore deserved at least a share of the spoils after their second half recovery from nine points down against Lismore. De La Salle completed their business early last Saturday to ensure safe progression. Their deep pool of resources meant that they could carry on without Stephen Daniels, Eddie Barrett and Shane Ryan. Roanmore have shown championship consistency at long last and will make life awkward here. Salle’s strength around the half back line and midfield will prove hard to break down however.

Odds: De La Salle 1/10 Draw 14/1 Roanmore 11/2
Prediction: De La Salle

Passage v Fourmilewater (Fraher Field at 7.30)
A knockout-style clash for both of these sides. A win nearly guarantees a quarter final while the loser will be bottom of the table entering the last round. Passage are without a championship win since the county final while Fourmilewater achieved their first round triumph way back in April. The county champions have been slow out of the blocks in all three games and cannot continue to rely on late rallies. Fourmile were short six regulars last weekend and will need their big guns back to assist Jamie Barron. They have reached the knockouts for four years running but are in danger of losing out this time. Fourmilewater are yet to register a goal in this year’s championship while Passage have managed three and Eoin Kelly is back at number fourteen. That may prove the difference in a close run thing.

Odds: Passage 8/11 Draw 9/1 Fourmilewater 6/5
Prediction: Passage

Saturday August 16

Dungarvan v Ballyduff Upper (Fraher Field at 6.00)
Dungarvan are the dark horses in this year’s field and could well take a big scalp along the way. One more win would secure their quarter final place. The Blues scored 1-22 last time without breaking sweat and also blazed 13 wides. Cormac and Cathal Curran steered the ship ably assisted by Ryan Donnelly, Michael Kiely and Gavin Crotty. In contrast, Mikey Kearney accounts for 65 per cent of Ballyduff’s scores. Ten wides cost them dearly in a one point defeat to Tallow and they felt the loss of Jamie Kearney from the half forward line. The long term absence of Adrian Power has also created uncertainty in the number one jersey.

Odds: Dungarvan 3/10 Draw 10/1 Ballyduff Upper 13/5
Prediction: Dungarvan

Mount Sion v Ardmore (7.00 at Kill)
Sion are on the rebound here after making little headway against Ballygunner. Nine wides hurt their chances by half time and they could only produce six scores from play over the sixty. The return of the two Ians (O’Regan and Galgey) may aid their recovery and qualify for the quarters. Despite their weakened line-up, Ardmore dug in against Dungarvan but they couldn’t hold a lively forward line. They need to be close to full strength to stand any chance of staying up. The brilliance of Seamus Prendergast at number eleven can only cover up so many cracks.

Odds: Mount Sion 1/14 Draw 16/1 Ardmore 13/2
Prediction: Mount Sion

Abbeyside v Lismore (8.00 at Fraher Field)
Both teams kept their quarter final challenge alive last weekend. Lismore displayed a gritty side sorely missing in recent seasons to grind it out against Roanmore. Maurice and Dan combined for 2-9 but eight different scorers will encourage manager Sean Prendergast nonetheless. Abbeyside also spread around their 1-21 against Passage with all six attackers on the board. They pulled seven points clear on two separate occasions to defeat the county champions. Similar to last year, they seem to be timing their run after losing the first two matches. With the football championship parked for the time being, their full focus is on making the hurling quarter finals. Potential for fireworks here with the 2008 finalists capable of backing up last week’s progress.

Odds: Abbeyside 8/11 Draw 9/1 Lismore 6/5
Prediction: Abbeyside

Sunday 17 August

Ballygunner v Tallow (7.00 at Fraher Field)
A rerun of the one-sided 2011 county final. The emergence of Conor ‘Speedy’ Power up front will please Fergal Hartley as he shot six points in a comfortable win over Mount Sion. They have exceeded 20 points in each of their three outings to date. Their distribution of inter county players in every line of the field and the motivation from 2013 provides a strong argument for them to win back the trophy last won in 2011. Tallow’s defensive fortitude served them well against Ballyduff Upper and they will need to show the same aggression here. They need to improve their numbers at the other end as the attack is only shooting around 14 points per game.

Odds: Ballygunner 1/14 Draw 16/1 Tallow 13/2
Prediction: Ballygunner