SUPERB SHOW IN ENNIS
Waterford Footballers travelled to Cusack Park in Ennis on Saturday evening more than hope than confidence as they faced a Clare outfit who took promotion in their stride earlier in the year. On their way back to Division Three of the Allianz National League the Banner accounted for Waterford in Fraher Field on a 3-10 to 1-9 scoreline. All things it seemed including the pundits fancied Clare to advance to a semi-final meeting with Kerry. That however is what the script was saying but again Waterford forgot to read the script and in a game that could have slipped away the Deise got a positive 2-8 apiece draw and a replay in Fraher Field Dungarvan on Saturday next.There is no doubt that if this waterford side can record the same consistency that thet they showed in Ennis there have every chance of winning the game and then facing the Mighty Kingdom in the Provincial semi-final.
The Deise got off to the worst possible start in Cusack Park as the home side notched up a goal and a point within the opening minutes thanks to David Tubridy and Enda Coughlan. Manager Niall Carew must surely have been "tearing his hair out" at the lacklustre opening. That was however all to change. JJ Hutchinson got two points for the visitors to kick start the Deise but they still trailed 1-5 to 0-2 as the game entered the closing minutes of the first half. Gordon Kelly was dismissed for Clare, and Paul Whyte was on hand to goal for Waterford to leave the Deise trailing 1-5 to 1-2 at the break. A contribution of two points from Shane Ahearne and a goal from Liam O Lionnain saw the visitors level and when Tadgh O hUallachain pointed they were in front 2-5 to 1-7. Clare swept forward and dangerman David Tubridy goaled to see the Banner back in front 2-7 to 2-5, and when Gary Brennan pointed it look as though the favourites would claim the prize. Waterford had other ideas and they kicked two unanswered points as the clock crept over the 70 minutes. The final score of a fascinating game fell the way of Paul Whyte who pointed right at the death to give Waterford a deserved draw in a game that never really reached the heights.
In the opening game in Ennis, Clare came through by the narrowest of margins on a 2-9 to 1-11 scoreline against a determined Waterford side. The winners can thank midfielder Darren O'Neill for his contribution of 1-4 which in the end made the difference. No doubt Waterford will be bitterly disappointed as they appeared to be in control for much of the game and held a lead for long periods helped by an opening goal from Gavin Crotty.
TOO BAD TO BE TRUE
Waterford Senior Hurlers were dumped out of the Munster Championship on Sunday last as Cork recovered from their late late draw two weeks previously to win comprehensively on a 0-28 to 0-14 scoreline. Indeed it was a very disapponting display from the Deise and left many of the thousands of supporters wondering how there could be such a discrepancy in the display over the two games against the Rebels. Waterford opened brightly and led by a point after seven minutes thanks to a free from Paudie Mahony following a foul on Shane Walsh. The Deise were dealt a huge blow in those opening minutes as star corner back Noel Connors was forced off with a leg injury. In fairness, his replacement, Paudie Prendergast, acquitted himself well having been sprung from the bench. Cork had two points from Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan, but Colin Dunford pointed to level in the 9th minute. Waterford followed with a number of wide efforts before Brian O'Sullivan gave them the lead with a point following good work from Jamie Nagle. A goal chance followed for O'Sullivan in the 12th minute but the effort was blocked by Cork custodian Anthony Nash. The Rebels scored six unanswered points, as two apiece from Patrick Horgan and Seamus Harnedy, and one each from Bill Cooper and Conor Lehane edged them four clear 0-8 to 0-4 by the midway point of the half. A foul on Brian O'Sullivan, and Paudie Mahony pointed, but Cork were beginning to find space in the middle third of the field. Patrick Horgan had two points from frees following fouls on Lehane, and Seamus Harnedy added another as the Leesiders edged clear 0-11 to 0-4. In the 27th minute a Kevin Moran run brought a free from which Paudie Mahony added a point but two points in fifteen minutes did not bode well for Waterford. Cork seemed to have the space to deliver a quick low ball to their forwards and from one such delivery, Alan Cadogan gained possession and pointed. The Waterford efforts continued to miss the target as at least three scoring chances went wide. Indeed a total of thirteen wides probably tells its own story. Daniel Kearney added a Cork point from midfield in the 33rd minute to make it 0-13 to 0-5. In the 34th minute a foul on Patrick Cronin saw Cork awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Anthony Nash came the length of the field to take it. However, in fairness to Derek McGrath and his management team, they had worked out how best to prevent Nash from scoring goals. To the supporters bewilderment only three Waterford defenders stood in the goal but as soon as Nash lifted to strike the defenders ran at him and goalkeeper Stephen O'Keefe saved. Seamus Harnedy point the rebound. Maybe there is a way after all to stop what they 'Nashgate'. Referee Johnny Ryan called time on the opening half with Waterford facing a mountain, behind 0-14 to 0-5.
The second half opened with Cork back on the offensive as Conor Lehane pointed. Kevin Moran paved the way for Shane O'Sullivan to point but Cork came right back with points from Conor Lehane and Patrick Horgan with the score now 0-17 to 0-6. Richie Foley replaced Jamie Nagle in the Waterford defence as Maurice Shanahan replaced Colin Dunford in attack. A point for Waterford from Shane Walsh was answered by one from Conor Lehane. Waterford had not been creating goal chances but it began to look like they needed goals and quickly. A point from Paudie Mahony followed as Stephen Molumphy replaced Brian O'Sullivan in attack. Three points for Cork from the sticks of Patrick Horgan, Daniel Kearney and Pa Cronin saw the Leesiders 0-21 to 0-8 ahead, as Seamus Prendergast came on for Jake Dillon. A point from Shane Walsh saw Waterford 12 points behind and Cork again added two more from Conor Lehane and wingback Christopher Joyce. In the 57th minute Patrick Horgan got through on goal but a magnificent save from Stephen O'Keeffe was cleared to safety. Even Cork supporters in the vicinity applauded the young Ballygunner custodian's effort. Cork continued to control the middle third of the field as both teams appeared to be going through the motions. Bill Cooper added a point to see the Rebels 15 points clear 0-24 to 0-9. Austin Gleeson had two points and Paudie Mahony converted a 65 metre free in the following five minutes 0-25 to 0-12. Cork added two themselves from a returned Paudie O'Sullivan and Rob O'Shea. Richie Foley and Austin Gleeson had two Waterford points as the game slowed down to more like a challenge than a full blooded championship. The final score saw Stephen Moylan land a point for Cork and referee Johnny Ryan thankfully brought the game to an end. What happened, I just don't know. A disappointing day out for all Waterford supporters, but no doubt this Waterford outfit are a lot better than they showed on Sunday. Hopefully they can reorganise themselves for the qualifiers and all is certainly not lost.
DEISE DRAW
The second in the 2014 series of the hugely successful Deise Draw took place recently in Ardmore. The big winner on the night was Niall Farrell from CLG Miceal Mhic Craith Tramore who won €10,000 Among the other lucky winners were Robert Power from Islandkeane, Fenor, Tommy Hayes, Bonmahon GAA, and Maurice Hayes Dungarvan GAA. Results are posted on Waterford GAA website. Don't forget you too can be in with a chance of winning, it just takes a call to your local GAA club.
