GUTSY WATERFORD WIN
Most observers believed that travelling to Tullamore to play Offaly on their home patch could prove a real banana skin for the Waterford Senior Hurlers last weekend. While the Deise did win the last two encounters against the Midlanders, the latter in 2011, it has always proven a struggle. Under manager Brian Whelehan they are hoping to return to the glory days of the eighties and nineties. That however is for another day. Following defeat to Wexford by nine points and a win over neighbours Laois, another defeat would seriously dent any hope of a return to Division One. Waterford on the other hand were brimming with confidence. A satisfactory draw in Gaelic grounds against a highly fancied Limerick side and a huge win over Laois saw them in the promotion mix. Another win would see them top the table at least until Limerick and Wexford played on Sunday.
O'Moore Park in Tullamore was resplendent and a sizable following had travelled from the county to support the Waterford hurlers. Indeed a surprisingly small crowd was present supporting Offaly. The hosts were quickly into stride as Waterford looked decidedly lacklustre and four unanswered points, three from Shane Dooley and one from Brian Carroll saw them with a healthy lead inside five minutes. Waterford did create a number of chances but the shooting was wayward and missed the target. Dooley was proving a real thorn with his freetaking and three more from the Tullamore clubman saw his team seven ahead within thirteen minutes. Finally Waterford through Paudie Mahony opened their account in the 17th minute and this was doubled by the Ballygunner man two minutes later. However the wide count continued to mount as number six was off target. Paudie Mahony pointed a free as three more efforts missed the posts. The visitors eventually did get through as a superb Colin Dunford run ended with a superb strike from Shane Bennett which lodged in James Dempsey's net 0-7 to 1-3.
Shane Dooley had a point for Offaly but Waterford began to pick up the pace with Michael Walsh and Kevin Moran, having been drafted to the midfield area, finally getting on top. Mahony again pointed as Martin O'Neill replaced an injured Austin Gleeson in the Waterford defence. Jake Dillon, Kevin Moran and Colin Dunford added points to see Waterford ahead 1-7 to 0-8 approaching the break. However Joe Bergin placed Shane Dooley for a point on the break to leave the minimum between the sides 1-7 to 0-9 as referee James Owens blew for halftime.
After what was a really sluggish start Derek McGrath and his backroom team could be quite satisfied with a lead at the break however, the mounting number of wides would cause concern.
Jake Dillon added a point for Waterford on the restart as Paudie Mahony and Brian O'Halloran added a brace 1-10 to 0-9. The former added another point as it seemed Waterford had weathered the storm. In the 43rd minute the Waterford rearguard was broken as Joe Bergin put Shane Dooley through for a goal which was followed by a point from Cathal Parlon. Teams level. Again Waterford would have to dig deep. A Paudie Mahony free edged them ahead. Michael Walsh gathered, laid the ball off and was at the end of a goalmouth scramble to score 2-12 to 1-11. Colin Dunford added a point as Gavin O'Brien replaced Brian O'Halloran in the Deise attack. Waterford were creating opportunities and Shane Bennett, Paudie Mahony and Martin O'Neill added three points. Ballysaggart clubman Stephen Bennett back from injury replaced Colin Dunford giving him some more gametime. Shane Dooley added a brace for Offaly but Shane Fives and Jake Dillon added two for Waterford as the wide count continued to grow for the Deise. In the final minute Brian Carroll had an Offaly point as the Deise defence held firm against all the hosts could throw at them. A seven point win for Waterford but in truth not one of their better days. The wide count at over twenty showed that the team wasted a huge amount ofopportunities but the management will surely work on that before next weekend when they face bottom of the league Antrim. No doubt if the Waterford forwards get chances they must convert them as promotion may well come down to scoring difference.
FOOTBALLERS DIG DEEP BUT LOSE
Waterford travelled to unbeaten Longford on Sunday hoping that they could return to the form which saw them lift the McGrath Cup earlier in the year. Facing the Deise a Longford side who have been impressive throughout the current campaign with five points taken from their opening three games. Waterford themselves had opened their current league campaign with a win over london but suffered two defeats to Offaly and Carlow. In truth while beaten in both there were chances of claiming a result in both outings. The home side opened in whirlwind fashion in Pearse Park and through the efforts of Francis McGee were three points ahead in four minutes. As Longford continued in the ascendancy two points from Ballinacourty clubman Mark Ferncombe saw the Deise trail 0-7 to 0-2 after twenty minutes. Halftime saw the home side well in control 1-10 to 0-4, the goal from McGee in the 24th minute. The Waterford points from Podge Hurney and Shane Ahearne. Longford were a huge nine points ahead and seemingly in control. However Waterford manager would not see this as insurmountable.
The home side continued to dominate the early period of the second half with points for Waterford from Pierce Whyte and Mark Ferncombe just keeping the Deise within eight 1-11 to 0-6 after fifty minutes. Joey Veale and Podge Hurney added another brace as the time passed the hour mark. Six points between the sides and a point for Longford eased them seven clear. Waterford needed a goal and what a goal when it came. Podge Hurney created and Mark Ferncome dispatched. Three points between the teams. What looked a forlorn dream might just become reality. Pierce Whyte pointed as Longford put all shoulders to the wheel. Longford were hanging on while Waterford were seeking another goal. Two points down and just a minute of additional time remaining they just could not fashion that last chance and another game slipped from Tom McGlinchy and his gallant crew.
Next up a visit from Antrim. That game takes place this Sunday and hopefully the lads can get their season back on track. They certainly deserve a little "rub of the green".
