A DESERVED DRAW
Waterford and Cork entered the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday and at the end of seventy odd minutes it was a case of "doing it all again". The attendance at famed Semple Stadium were treated to an action packed game which kept the patrons, in a disappointing attendance, anxious right to the end and one might say it was deserving that both teams would live to fight another day. Indeed both Waterford and Cork did have times in the ascendancy and the former who were rank outsiders put it up to the All-Ireland finalists from the first whistle.
Waterford made the early running and opened the scoring through a Paraic Mahony free following a foul on Tadgh de Burca in the first minute. Patrick Horgan levelled for the Leesiders with a placed ball but the Deise fired over four points in an eight minute spell without reply. Paraic Mahony converted in the 3rd minute and this was followed by a point from Brian O'Sullivan, a superb effort from midfield from Jamie Nagle and one from championship debutant de Burca after good play by centre back Michael Walsh although, Kevin Moran was cautioned in the middle of the scoring spree for a late tackle. Cork had their second score in the 13th minute as Daniel Kearney placed Alan Cadogan for a point. Paraic Mahony and Seamus harnedy had a point apiece in a sixty second burst but it was the Deise who were making the most of the chances as Michael Walsh and Kevin Moran cut open the Cork defence for Jake Dillon to point. Paraic Mahony was again on target in the 18th minute with a point. waterford were hurling well and had now a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage.
De La Salle clubman Eddie Barrett who had been working tirelessly in midfield was forced off in the 21st minute having received a leg injury a few minutes earlier. He was replaced by Abbeyside man Richie Foley.
A superb point from an Aidan Walsh lineball stopped the Waterford scoring but Tadgh de Burca who was outstanding at wing back placed Pauric Mahony for a point in the 26th minute to maintain the five point lead. Adam Cadogan breached the Waterford defence in the 27th minute to point but Jamie Nagle replied immediately as the Dungarvan man split the posts. A foul on Adam Cadogan brought a free and a point from Patrick Horgan 0-10 to 0-5. An Austin Gleeson line ball sailed over in the 30th minute and when Cork corner back Stephen McDonnell was booked for a foul on Brian O'Sullivan another point followed from the ever accurate Pauric Mahony. In the first minute of additional time Patrick Horgan pointed a free following a foul on the dangerous Adam Cadogan. The final action of a very pleasing opening half for Waterford saw a superb point from Mount Sion clubman Austin Gleeson after he won possession with a magnificent catch.
And so, despite the pundits suggesting otherwise it was Waterford ahead 0-13 to 0-6 at the break. No doubt manager Derek McGrath and his fellow selectors and management would have been delighted with the opening thirty five minute performance.
The Cork management reacted as Jimmy Barry Murphy brought in Bill Cooper to boost a beleagured forward division. Patrick Horgan pointed in the 38th minute but good work from Colin Dunford and Jake Dillon saw Pauric Mahony score 0-14 to 0-8. Brian O'Sullivan and Adam Cadogan exchanged points but it was noticeable that the Waterford defence was hunting down any possible scoring chance. In the 41st minute Waterford forward Austin Gleeson was booked for a leg trip as Shane Fives came into the action in place of Barry Coughlan. Patrick Horgan had a Cork point but the real gem of a score came with 42.52 minutes. Teenager Austin Gleeson collected some forty metres from goal and set off on a mazy run towards the Cork goal. leaving defenders chasing shadows he raced past the twenty metre mark and blasted the ball to the corner of the Cork net. A magnificent goal and certainly worth the admission price alone. Waterford followed up with points from Shane Walsh and Pauric mahony and the Deise were 1-17 to 0-11 ahead.
Could we see one of the sweetest victories in recent years?. There was a certain confidence about the Derek McGrath lads.
Ray Barry came in for Colin Dunford in the Waterford attack. Cork were gifted a lifeline in the 47th minute. After some heroic defending the ball broke loose to Bill Cooper who just got a touch to nudge the ball over the line. The Deise hit back with a point from Pauric Mahony although you could see that some of the Waterford lads making their championship debut were starting to tire. Who could blame them with their heroic effort. Aidan Walsh and Patrick Horgan added two points in the 50th and 52nd minutes 1-18 to 1-13. Derek McGrath brought in Donie Breathnach for Jake Dillon. Waterford had a point from Pauric Mahony in the 53rd minute but Patrick Horgan did likewise for Cork a minute later. In the 55th minute a superb save by Waterford custodian Stephen O'Keeffe saw Adam Cadogan's shot blocked for a 65 metre free which Patrick Horgan converted 1-19 to 1-15. Fair to say the Glen Rovers sharpshooter was dragging Cork back into the game.
In the three minute spell that followed Horgan had another brace of points and one from Cadogan had the lead back to the minimum 1-19 to 1-18. Seamus Prendergast replaced Shane Walsh in the Deise attack. Gripping stuff.
A foul on Michael Walsh and Pauric Mahony converted to give Waterford a two point lead. Again Patrick Horgan had a Cork point as Bill Cooper tied the game in the 68th minute with a point 1-20 each. Waterford supporters thought the game was won in the 70th minute when Seamus Prendergast pointed but right on time a free to Cork saw Horgan level the score and send us all back to Thurles on June 8th for part two. No doubt both management and supporters of both team will believe they could and should have won but also will also be very happy to have another chance.
GAA Coaching & Games Development Notes
Lenovo Skills Hubs for 13-15 year olds
The Waterford Lenovo Skills Hubs will take place in Fraher Field Tue 8th - Fri 11th July starting at 12 midday each day. Inter County stars Jamie Nagle and Trish Jackman are heading up the coaching team for the Skills Hub which is open to boys and girls 13-15 years of age. Booking for the Skills Hub can be made at http://www.lenovoskillshub.gaa.ie.
Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps
Bookings are going well for the upcoming Kellogg's GAA Cul Camps. Bookings can be made online at http://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or through any of the clubs that are hosting camps. All who have booked places by 1st June will get their kits by end of June. This year all children who attend the camps will get a county coloured kit bag.
Munster Super 10's Blitzes
This Saturday 8 Waterford clubs will take part in the Munster Super 10's across the province. In Hurling St Patrick's will host a blitz in Bohadoon and Sacred Heart, St Mary's, Portlaw, Cappoquin & Tramore will all travel to a venue across the province. Rathgormack & The Nire will represent the county in Gaelic Football.
West Primary Blitzes
In the last week 5 blitzes for the Western Primary Schools took place across the division. These blitzes were for 2nd and 3rd class. Thanks to Brickey Rangers, Ardmore, St Oliver's, Naomh Carthaigh & Naomh Brid for hosting the blitzes. The blitzes were refereed by TY students from Friary College.
Primary Skills Co Finals
Congratulations to Bunscol Bóthar na Naomh who won the Hurling & Rathgormack NS who won the Gaelic Football Primary Skills County Finals last week. This competition was jointly run by Cumann na mBunscol & Coaching & Games. Both winning schools will now go on to the Munster Primary Skills finals in Mallow on 10th June where we wish them well.
U9 & U10 Hurling & Football blitzes
U9 & U10 Hurling and Football blitzes are taking place every week across the 3 GDA divisions. In West Division the action takes place on Monday nights with U9 H & F every secong Monday. In Urban and Mid County the action is on Wednesday nights with U9 & U10 H taking place. Further details can be got from GDA's.
Poc Fada Friday 20th June
This year's Poc Fada will take place on Friday 20th June for both Senior & U16 players. The competition this year will take place at Mahon Falls with a course for Senior & U16 players. Further details will be sent to clubs in the coming weeks through the County Board. For more information please contact Poc Fada coordinator Sean Michael O'Regan.
