VICTORY A MUST
Dublin hurlers are the visitors to Walsh Park on Sunday next in what many expect will prove a vital two points for both teams in the quest for the knockout stages of the Allianz National League. Both Waterford and Dublin approach this game on the back of very positive outings last time out. Dublin bounced back from defeat to Galway with a win over Davy Fitzgerald's All-Ireland winning Clare while Waterford could not have been more impressive as they accounted for the Tribesmen following an opening round defeat to Tipperary. Indeed Waterford should perhaps have accounted for Tipperary as they squandered many golden chances of scores. That was all "put right" against Galway and the two points garnered will give them a huge advantage for this upcoming encounter. Both Waterford manager Derek McGrath and his Dublin counterpart Anthony Daly have been quietly building their panels and are close enough to having a full strength squad at their disposal. The Dubs have a wealth of experience and will set a huge challenge for the deise. They may well feel that the display against Clare has given them the chance to turn the corner. In goal they possess a superb netminder in Gary Maguire. Centre back Liam Rushe is a former all-star and will be the driving force from defence along with his half back partner Colm Cronin. In midfield Shane Durkin will keep the engine firing but it is up front that the biggest threat will come from the dubs. Centre forward Ryan Dwyer along with Conal Keaney and Danny Sutcliffe are a formidable line of attack and will seek to open the Waterford defence at every opportunity for Paul Ryan and Dots O'Callaghan. If Paudie Mahony has been the free taker supreme for Waterford then Alan McCrabbe has bee the chief marksman for the Dubs. His eight points from frees against Clare proved crucial so extreme vigilance is required.
Derek McGrath and his management team have blended a nice team of youth and experience. The return of the successful WIT contingent following their reclaiming of the Fitzgibbon Cup will see an expected number of changes in the starting personnel. Stephen O'Keeffe will start in goal with Noel Connors, Shane Fives and Tadgh de Burca forming a formidable full back line. Stradbally clubman Michael Walsh has time and again proved himself the best centre back around and with Jamie Nagle and a return to form Philip Mahony they will give little away. Kevin Moran and Shane O'Sullivan operated in the midfield workhouse against Galway but up front the management have a wealth of riches. The opening sextet against Galway, Ray Barry, freetaker Pauric Mahony and Stephen Molumphy along with Ryan Donnelly, Seamus Prendergast and Brian O'Sullivan will all be looking for inclusion. Also looking for a place in the first fifteen will be Jake Dillon, Stephen Roche and Gavin O'Brien who were all so impressive in the Fitzgibbon Cup. Indeed everyone of the panel will be only too willing and able if given the nod to see action. Plenty of headaches there for the selection panel but hopefully it will all come together on the day. I expect Waterford to come through if only by a small margin and the drive can continue to qualification for the knockout stages.
WIT RECLAIM FITZGIBBON CUP
It was a fantastic weekend in Belfast for WIT hurlers as the Colm Bonner led Waterford college returned with the famed Fitzgibbon Cup. From their opening game in the Waterford Crystal Cup when they suffered defeat to UL this panel of players has has been steadily improving and their determination and hunger for success saw them through both the semi-final against favourites LIT (aet 2-21 to, 3-17) and their final victory against CIT 0-17 to 0-12. Indeed the winners who were backboned by six of the starting fifteen Waterford players (Stephen O'Keeffe, Jerome Maher, Stephen Roche, Pauric Mahony, Jake Dillon and Gavin O'Brien) went into both games as underdogs but their grit and determination carried them through. Waterford led from the start with Ballygunner clubman Pauric Mahony firing over two points in the opening five minutes. The game was close and tight throughout with Mahony ably assisted in the scoring department by a magnificent Jake Dillon, Wexford man Harry Kehoe and Kilkenny player Cathal Kenny giving them edge. Indeed credit CIT as they fought magnificently throughout the sixty odd minutes and while they were 0-10 to 0-7 behind at the break they levelled witnin ten minutes of the restart through Harry Ellis and John O'Dwyer. However it was WIT who lasted the pace and their final push for victory saw the Waterford lads raise four unanswered points in the final ten minutes to catapult the college to their ninth title. Congrats to all and may it be the start of another successful year for the county.
RADIO FUN QUIZ
A reminder to all that the Radio Fun Quiz in aid of Waterford Teams Training Fund will take place on WLRFM live on Thursday 6th March at 8.30pm. The quiz is open to all with a cost of ten euro per person for three of four member teams. It takes place in pubs all over the county and deserves the support of all. Kieran O'Connor and Geoff Harris will host the show.
CAMOGIE
After a pulsating game of camogie at Croke Park on Sunday last it was "as you were" as Lismore and Ballyhale Shamrocks lived to fight another day following a pulsating All-Ireland final which ended 0-9 to 1-6. Tremenduous credit to Lismore who have been quite superb all year and now must return to the National stage on March 16th for the replay. Here's to all in the club you are certainly a real credit to your town, county and families.
