Early promise fades
Waterford ended their Allianz National Football League campaign in Parc Mac Diarmada on Saturday last going down on the wrong end of a 0-15 to 0-10 scoreline to hosts Leitrim. In fairness to the winners, although out of the promotion race, they have begun to string a few positive results together over the past weeks. On the other hand results from the Deise since their superb McGrath Cup victory have indeed been disappointing. The early form and the success it achieved has abandoned the lads and it will now take a huge amount of work in preparation for their opening Munster Championship fixture against Tipperary on May 31st in Semple Stadium. For this, their final game of the league campaign, circumstances dictated that manager Tom McGlinchy fielded a number of players on the fringe of the first fifteen. Perhaps this was the ideal opportunity for some of these lads to copperfasten a place for the upcoming Provincial campaign. In the circumstances it was the home side who made the early running with an opening point from Paddy McGowan. Mohill clubman Ronan Kennedy added a brace before Waterford goalkeeper Stephen Enright brought off a terrific save to deflect James McGrail's shot over. Leitrim were winning in all positions and creating chances as Kennedy and Shane Moran put the homesters six clear. The Waterford attacks were just not bearing fruit. JJ Hutchinson, who was the main Waterford threat on the day with his freetaking, eventually got the Deise up and running. However Gary Reynolds and Conlan added two more before JJ got a second Waterford point. The game was quickly slipping away from the visitors as two more Conlan points and one from Sean McSweeney had Leitrim nine points clear coming to the break 0-11 to 0-2. An Rinn clubman Lorcan O'Corraoin had a Waterford point but Conlan added his fourth immediately to leave Leitrim leading 0-12 to 0-3 at halftime.
The sparse attendance of under three hundred must have been bitterly disappointed with the fare although credit to Waterford who began the second half on the front foot. A point from JJ Hutchinson was followed by another from Mark Ferncombe. Point number six for Waterford from Hutchinson showed some sort of mini revival. Shane Moran and Hutchinson exchanged points as Kevin Conlan added another for the home side 0-14 to 0-7. In the remaining time Waterford outscored their opponents three points (all from JJ Hutchinson) to one from Niall Woods for the winners. A five point 0-15 to 0-10 scoreline never looked likely bearing in mind the performance in the opening half. JJ Hutchinson was the star of the show for Waterford with a personal eight point tally and one wonders what might have been if Leitrim goalkeeper Cathal McCrann had not made a huge save towards the end of the opening half to thwart a Waterford attack. Leitrim go into the Connaught championship with some confidence where they meet the winner of Galway/New York. Waterford as stated will face Tipperary and that work begins now.
LOCAL NEWS
Rathgormack won the under 21 County Football title at the wekend with a 1-12 to 0-9 win victory over Ballinacourty. A goal in the opening half on 22 minutes from William Hahessy gace the men from the Comeragh a 1-5 to 0-3 lead which they never allowed to be clawed back.
In the 'B' decider the teams could not be seperated as Brickeys and St Mary's played out a 0-9 to 1-6 draw. The replay is scheduled for Fraher Field on Saturday 18th at 8pm. Hopefully this can go ahead.
COACHING AND GAMES
Applications are invited for positions as coaches for the 2015 Kellogs Cul Camps.
There are a number of minimum criteria for example;
Applicants must be 18 years of age by 1st July 2015
GAA Foundation Coaching course completed
GAA Garda Vetting Reference Number. If Garda vetting has been applied for but not yet received you must furnish an application date.
GAA/ISC Child Welfare Certificate Number
Applications will only be accepted by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Closing date for applications is Friday 17th April 2015.
All information can be viewed on Waterford GAA website.
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
With the Waterford hurlers participation in the semi-final of the Allianz National Hurling League there may be a slight disruption to the football championship schedule. However this weekend there are six opening rounds due to take place. Group One will see champions Nire play Clashmore/Kinsalebeg. Ballinacourty and Rathgormack will lock horns while De La Salle and Ardmore face off in the third tie.
In Group Two Stradbally will play Gaultier. An Rinn will face St Saviours and Kilrossanty play Brickey Rangers. Although early in the competition it is fare to say that over the course of the campaign thewre will be a couple of shocks. What about one or two this coming weekend.
