Football Championship upsets

Wednesday, 25th April 2012

The Waterford Senior Football Championship kicked off at the weekend and to say the least there were a few eye-opening results. On Friday evening in Fraher Field Stradbally, a team with an outstanding record over the past decade and a half were expected to see off Clashmore who themselves only returned to the senior ranks a couple of years. In the event it was the men from the far West who came through on a 1-9 to 0-8 scoreline. No doubt Stradbally will see this as a one off result, will regroup and come back stronger than ever. However on this occasion they had to give best to a youthful Clashmore outfit who if continuing their superb progress will surely be in the frame during the knockout stages.

Another of the teams who have had a remarkable run over the last number of years Nire, accounted for Gaultier 2-10 to 1-4 on Saturday evening. The lads from the Barony will be hugely disappointed with their overall performance and will know that improvment is required if they harbour intentions of being in contention at the death. As for Nire, they are a hugely difficult team to beat and a terrific track record during the nineties and early two thousands and a continuation of this form could very well see them back to those heights. There is of course a long hard road between cup and lip.

In the second game at Fraher Field champions Ballinacourty faced Rathgormack who themselves are in a building process. The present holders of the Conway Cup Ballinacourty, are quoted at short odds to deliver the back to back titles and were expected to come through this, but in the event it was the men from the Comeragh who upset the applecart with a 1-10 to 1-7 victory. Are Rathgormack going to be the surprise packet?. One wonders. The next round will tell a lot.

Beaten semi-finalists in 2012, Kilrossanty, continued their climb up the football ladder with a 2-8 to 0-8 win over Brickey Rangers on Sunday while Ardmore also claimed the two points with a 2-7 to 0-5 win over St Saviours. In the final game it was a win for An Rinn as they came through on a 3-7 to 2-8 scoreline over Dungarvan. The Old Boro having returned to the senior ranks this year will improve from the outing and perhaps need a few games to acclimatise to the top grade.

Yes indeed, some very interesting results. One could actually say, some surprising results and in truth it confirms that with a little luck there are quite a number of teams who will begin to fancy their chances. No doubt good competition can only be good for football and after the disappointment of the concluding stages of the Allianz National Football League that could well be a huge positive for all concerned.

NEXT UP

The football championship continues this weekend and if last weekend is anything to go by, then, there are even at this early stage, some mouthwatering fixtures.

In Fraher Field on Friday at 7.30, Nire face Ardmore. Two unbeaten sides and both perhaps harbouring outright championship wins. Could be a cracker.

Walsh park in the city will host a double header on Saturday with Rathgormack and Gaultier facing off at 6pm and Ballinacourty and St Saviours set to kick off at 7.30. With the way results have gone it would probably be foolhardy to nominate a winner. Keep the powder dry as they say.

Fraher Field on Saturday will see Stradbally and Dungarvan in opposition. Stradbally still smarting from their opening round defeat while, Dungarvan will be looking for a win and the momentum to see their season on the road.

Sunday again should bring a huge crowd to the Old Boro venue as Ring and Kilrossanty come face to face at 2pm with Clashmore and Brickies in opposition at 3.30pm. Good football expectewd at all venues so now it's up to the fans.

DEISE DRAW

Friday next will see Gaultier host the ever popular Waterford GAA clubs Deise Draw. This is the second in the 2012 series and if you are not already a member of this magnificent venture well, it just costs ten euro a month and a call to your local GAA club.