MAHONY FIRES WATERFORD TO VICTORY
On Saturday last in Fraher Field Dungarvan the Waterford Senior Hurlers turned in a most impressive second half display to completely overwhelm Laois in the second round of the Allianz National League and so maintain their challenge for promotion to Division One. The Midlanders had put in a very commendable opening game in the competition albeit going down by four points to neighbours Offaly so they were looking to as they "put points on the board." This however was going to be another huge challenge for the visitors facing a Deise outfit who themselves were very impressive in their opening draw with Division favourites Limerick on the Banks of the Shannon just one week earlier. Waterford manager Derek McGrath brought Ballysaggart clubman Shane Bennett into the starting lineup with the former minor star at the edge of the square otherwise the team was very much as expected with some positional changes. In line with recent management teams it was again a youthful starting lineup for Waterford.
Following the early skirmishes where Waterford missed a couple of chances, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the second minute through their most dangerous forward Zane Keenan. Paudie Mahony levelled within thirty seconds. The home side were off target with a couple of chances as Laois goalkeeper Enda Rowland was called upon to collect a number of short deliveries. A foul on Shane Bennett was punished by the ever accurate Mahony as he split the posts. Indeed the accuracy of the WIT student has been quite phenomenal recently with a personal tally of 1-18 in the the Fitzgibbon Cup match for his college during the week. The industrious Willie Hyland levelled for the visitors in the 7th minute but a good run and point from Brian O'Halloran saw waterford back in front. Good work from Paddy Purcell led to a Laois point and in the 12th minute, Keenan put the visitors in front with a free. A number of chances fell to the Seamus Plunkett outfit but went unpunished as Waterford were finding it difficult to get into rhythm. Brian O'Halloran who was getting through a huge amount of work for Waterford was fouled and Paudie mahony levelled 0-4 apiece. A minute later the Ballygunner marksman hit another point from a free following a foul on Michael Walsh. Zane Keenan pointed for Laois but Michael Walsh edged Waterford ahead once again. A neat footpass from Shane Bennett put Brian O'Halloran free but he was fouled and Mahony again converted 0-7 to 0-5. Keenan added a fourth point from a free before Paddy Purcell levelled as the game passed the thirty minute mark. A huge effort from centre back Austin Gleeson, was at first waved wide but later amended to a point, saw the hosts ahead. Both freetakers Paudie Mahony and Zane Keenan converted for their respective team Waterford 0-9 to 0-8 ahead. Gleeson and Mahony added a brace for Waterford before referee Diarmuid Kirwan blew for half time to give the Deise a 0-11 to 0-8 lead.
No doubt manager Derek McGrath and his backroom team would have been concerned at a number of issues. The short passing gameplan was breaking down as Laois continued to intercept with an extra defender. There would also be disappointment with the number of missed scoring chances but at least Waterford were creating point opportunities. Goal chances as in the Limerick game were few and far between. Indeed there was no real threat to Enda Rowland in the Laois goal as he collected on many occasions without pressure. All these issues could be corrected and Derek and his co-selectors would surely target these issues.
The early skirmishes of the second half saw both Keenan and Mahony share a point each. Paudie Mahony added a point from play 0-13 to 0-9. In the 41st minute Shane Bennett broke free but his effort was blocked. Michael Walsh was yellow carded as Waterford continued to tot up the wides. Brian O'Halloran intercepted a line ball but was fouled and again Mahony pointed. Waterford had a foothold throughout the field as the short passing plan began to open holes in the Laois defence. Colin Stapleton was booked for the foul. A foul on Tadgh de Burca brought a second yellow card for Charlie Dwyer and he was dismissed. Shane O'Sullivan and Paudie Prendergast came into the action for Waterford as Paudie Mahony added his eleventh point to the Deise total 0-15 to 0-9. Mahony and Jake Dillon created the opening for Shane Bennett to hammer home the opening goal in the 51st minute. The lead had now stretched to nine points 1-15 to 0-9. Two more points from paudie Mahony and one from Shane Bennett followed in the quick succession. Indeed Bennett was unlucky to see another goalbound effort just wide of the target. In the 58th minute the overstretched Laois defence was breached for the second time as Michael Walsh created the opening for Paudie Mahony to goal. Donie Breathnach replaced Bennett in the Waterford attack. Paudie Mahony hit another point as Zane Keenan had a second of the half for Laois 2-19 to 0-10. Passage clubman replaced Paudie Mahony in the Waterford attack and within seventeen seconds had the ball in the back of Enda Rowland's net for number three. Enda Keenan added two consolation points for Laois but Shane O'Sullivan and Donie Breathnach did likewise for Waterford to leave the Deise 3-21 to 0-12 winners. The eighteen points win might very well be oh so important at the end of the day bearing in mind point difference will be taken into consideration for promotion. However that remains for another day. The important thing is to work on the positives of this game and there were many and to look to correct the few mistakes of the opening half. Next up are Offaly in Tullamore on March 8th and this is a must-win game.
FOOTBALL FIXTURE
Next weekend the Waterford footballers will host Carlow in Fraher field with a view to getting their league campaign back on track. No doubt if they bring their A game to the table the two points can be taken and revitalize the campaign. Best wishes to Tom and the squad.
