Superb Waterford into League Semi-final
The Waterford Senior Hurlers continued their winning ways on Sunday last as they confirmed their place in the Allianz National League semi-final with a hugely impressive 0-20 to 0-12 over Galway at Walsh Park. Having secured promotion the previous week with another solid win over Wexford the bandwagon of wins was beginning to gain momentum. Galway on the other hand had already made the top four from Division One A, so we quietly fancied to progress with little concern in their camp that they had been beaten by Dublin in their final outing of the group. Manager Anthony Cunningham had a full complement of players although he did make one change in personnel before throw-in with Padraig Manning replacing Greg Kelly at number six. The Waterford management team also made one alteration in the starting fifteen with Stephen Bennett coming in for Tom Devine. This replacement saw a number of positional changes with Kevin Moran back out in midfield and Bennett in his customery full forward role.
The early running was made by the home side with Kevin Moran and Brian O'Halloran posting two points. Paudie Mahony was just wide of the upright with a long distance free before Galway marksman Joe Canning converted, 0-2 to 0-1. Mahony then placed Austin Gleeson for a point and added one himself from a free following a foul on Colin Dunford. A superb effort from the Ballygunner sharpshooter saw Waterford stretch four clear after 7 minutes. Joe Canning had a brace of successful frees which reduced the lead to two 0-5 to 0-3. A number of efforts from Waterford attacks missed the target before Paudie Mahony knocked over point number six from 30 metres following a foul on Michael Walsh. Two minutes later a second foul on Stradbally clubman Walsh saw Mahony again convert 0-7 to 0-3. A neat pass from Jake Dillon and Brian O'Haloran pointed from out wide on the left. Galway were struggling to contain the pace of the Waterford forward division although Andy Smith hit a point in the 19th minute to close the gap to four.
No doubt the Waterford supporters in the three thousand odd crowd relished the appetite for workrate of the Deise players. Midfielder Iarla Tannian was booked in the 20th minute for a foul on Colin Dunford and again Mahony was accurate with the free. Point number ten was not long waiting for as Paudie Mahony added it from a free in the 22nd minute. Captain Kevin Moran put seven between the sides before Joe Canning added a point for Galway on 24 minutes. Waterford were working hard and supporting in numbers. It was all paying off for the Derek McGrath outfit. Three points in as many minutes for Waterford from Paudie Mahony, a superb catch and hit from Jake Dillon and Austin Gleeson saw the home side nine points ahead 0-14 to 0-5. With the elements at their backs the supporters were very much aware that every score was going to be vital at the break as the wind was to the back of the Galway lads.
The final score of the half came via Galway marksman Joe Canning as he pointed a late free to see his side very much on the back foot, and scores can come quick and fast in hurling.
Galway opened the second half in whirlwind fashion. Joe Canning had a point within a minute of the restart. Two points from full forward Cathal Mannion and one apiece from Portumna clubmates Andy Smith and Joe Canning, all within seven minutes saw the Waterford lead whittled down to four 0-14 to 0-10. Some over robust challenges in the 45th minute saw three players in the referees notebook, Paudie and Philip Mahony for the home side and substitute Padraig Mannion for Galway. Waterford manager Derek McGrath brought Maurice Shanahan into the action in place of Stephen Bennett as Paudie mahony hit another point. The Ballygunner man then placed Shanahan for a point before converting a free following a foul on Brian O'Halloran. A foul on Shanahan in the 54th minute brought a free and another point for Paudie Mahony 0-18 to 0-10. The ten point lead was beginning to look like a mountain for Galway as a hungry Deise side fought for everything. The pace forwards O'Halloran and Dunford was causing problems for the Tribesmen all afternoon. A yellow for Galway corner back following a foul on Maurice Shanahan saw point number eighteen on the board. Although the game was played in a very sporting manner both Johnny Coen and Brian O'Halloran were booked for small misdemeanours in the 56th minute. With the game appearing to be safely "in the bag" management brought in Tom Devine for Brian O'Halloran and Shane O'Sullivan for Colin Dunford. In fairness both players had given their all and worked really hard all afternoon. With five minutes remaining Joe Canning fired over a brace of points although Waterford goalkeeper Ian O'Regan was called upon to save before the second of them, two points from Devine and Michael Walsh restored the eight point gap 0-20 to 0-12. The game was well and truly won by Waterford and it gave the management the opportunity to bring in substitutes Gavin O'Brien and Martin O'Neill in the closing minutes. Mind you goalkeeper Ian O'Regann was also very alert in additional time as he quickly advanced to smother two Galway attacks.
At the end of the day Waterford fully deserved their win and will go on to face Tipperary in three weeks time with a real spring in their step. They played well, showed commitment and an appetite for scores. The substitutions worked. A first league semi-final appearance since 2007 and oh yeah! we did win the league that year beating Tipperary in the quarter final. What more could the management ask for?.
Waterford Football
The Waterford footballers travelled to London last weekend for thei Allianz League game against the English capital and returned with a point following a 2-15 to 5-6 scoreline. With both teams out of the promotion race there was nothing but pride at stake in Ruislip. The Deise travel to Parc Sean Mac Diarmuda on Saturday next to take on Leitrim and it would be a boost for the confidence if the Tom McGlinchy out could engineer a win. The last few games have been disappointing but a win here and a fresh impetus could do wonders for confidence.
Deise Draw
Congratulations are in order to Bobby McCarthy from Tallow who collected the first prize of ten thousand euro in the first of the 2015 series of Deise Draw. The draw took place in Stradbally GAA club and among the other winners on the night were Miceal Toibin from Old Parish who won three thousand euro and Garvan O'Keeffe who got himself fifteen hundred euro. To be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous cash prizes please contact you local GAA club. It costs just ten euro a month. Next draw takes place in "Micilins" Kilrossanty on Friday 24th April 2015
