Nowlan Park beckons
At the outset of the current Allianz National Hurling League the hope for all supporters was that Waterford would make a quick return to Division One A and everything else would be a bonus. However following superb performances against Wexford in the final Division One B outing and and an even better performance against Galway in the quarter final we all begin to get a little greedy. You can only beat what is in front of you and this the derek McGrath outfit has accomplished with aplomb over the past couple of months. An opening evening draw against Limerick has been followed by straight wins to a situation where Tipperary stand between Waterford and a return to a National League final for the first time since 2007 when Waterford beat Kilkenny 0-20 to 0-18 in Stemple Stadium. A lot of changes in personnel in the intervening years now sees Waterford with a group of "young guns" who are gaining in confidence and will have no fears about meeting the Premier who were the top team this year in Division One A. The Waterford versus Tipperary game is the second of a double header with Cork and Dublin set to meet at 2pm and the second game at 4pm on Sunday next.
WHAT OF TIPPERARY
The premier came through their divisaion with just the one defeat in their opening game against Dublin. No doubt they have improved dramatically since and bar top scorer out of bounds Seamus Callinan their manager Eamon O'Shea has quite a complimnet of talent at his disposal. His last line of defence sees both Darren Gleeson and Darragh Egan competing for the number one spot. Egan has been the recent choice. A defence wqhich can call on Conor O'Mahony, Paddy Stapletom, Padraig Maher and recent Cathal Barrett will prove tough to crack for the Waterford attack. Whatever the starting fifteen it is highly likely that two of James Woodlock, Shane McGrath and Brendan Maher will operate in the midfield engine room. Recently however Maher has been deployed at centre forward and with Callinan not playing he may well the Borris-Ileigh man in the pivotal number eleven spot. Noel McGrath, Jason Forde, Shane Bourke and Patrick Maher will all be hoping for the "nod". Whatever the formation there is no doubt but Tipperary are a formidable outfit and if they bring their A game will be a hard nut to crack.
DEISE ON ROLL
From their tentative start in the Gaelic Grounds on the opening night of the league when the Deise drew with a fancied Limerick, it has been a very impressive league campaign and Derek McGrath and his backroom team will be delighted that their charges keep on pulling out performances. While the selectors have rotated their goalkeeping choices both Ian O'Regan and Stephen O'Keeffe have responded when called upon. The last line in the defence has seen Shane Fives and Noel Connors flank Barry Coughlan and there appears no reason to change. No doubt but the half back line Austin Gleeson, Tadgh de Burca and Philip Mahony have become a really solid unit and are the launchpad for many of the Waterford attacks. The Waterford midfield and attack is loaded with experience and pace. Jamie Barron and Tom Devine in midfield. Kevin Moran, Pauric Mahony and Jake Dillon in the half forward line with Brian O'Halloran and Colin Dunford flanking the hugely experiewnced Michael Walsh in the front line. The management may well make a few alterations from eight to fifteen with Stephen Bennett, Maurice Shanahan, Shane O'Sullivan along with the rest of the bench ready and willing to put in their shift.
All in all this waterford team are well capable of reaching the Allianz League decider. The confidence is high. The results prove they are playing well. All you need is that little bit of luck. I really believe that the lads are capable of overcoming the Premier. Roll on Sunday and best of luck to Derek and the lads.
MINOR THRILLER
Although Waterford appeared to be the better team in Semple Stadium on Wednesday last in the Munster minor hurling championship opening round, it was a highly fancied Tipperary outfit who came out on top by the slenderest margin 1-14 to 0-16. Points in the opening half from Jack Pender, Glenn Waters, Calum Lyons, Darragh Lyons and a brace from Aaron O'Sullivan saw the deise in command. However a Tipperary goal just before the break saw the home team 1-7 to 0-9 at half time. Two points for Waterford on the changeover from Calum and Darragh Lyons had the deise back in front as the game see-sawed through a superb second half. Tipperary had a slight edge as the clock wound down. A point from substitute Eoghan Murray in additional time brought the lead back to the minimum but Waterford just could not get level and so they must now prepare for a playoff game against old adversaries Limerickon May 6th. The winner to play Cork who defeated the Shannonsiders 2-20 to 1-13 in the other quarter final.
FOOTBALL MATTERS
The opening round of the JJ Kavanagh Senior Football Championship was played last weekend and provided us with the first shock of the year. Reigning champions Nire were beaten by Clashmore/Kinsalebeg 2-8 to 0-13. A brace of goals in a three minute spell from Jason Seaward and Cillian O'Keeffe saw the winners ahead 2-5 to 0-9 at the break and try as they might the champions could not peg back the lead.
A hat trick of goals from Shane O'Donovan saw an impressive Ballinacourty past Rathgormack 4-12 to 0-9 in their first round encounter while De La Salle despite leading 1-7 to 0-4 at the break came out on the wrong side of a 1-10 to 1-9 final score against Ardmore. The De La Salle goal from Lee Hayes on twenty minutes gave them a slight cushion however Clinton Hennessy goaled for the seaside town on 35 minutes to put them right back in the match. An Rinn opened their championship account with a 1-12 to 1-7 win over St Saviours having dominated the opening half leading 0-10 to 1-1 at the break. Stradbally came through against Gaultier on a 3-9 to 2-6 scoreline having led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break. Kilrossanty had a 0-15 to 0-9 win over Brickies in the late game.
COACHING AND GAMES
Bookins can now be made online at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie for any of the 35 Kelloggs Cul Camps that will take place in the county during July and August.
A hurling workshop will take place in Walsh Park on Saturday next 18th April at 2pm for all hurling coaches. The tutor will be Michael Rice St Kieran's and Kilkenny. Surely worth sparing the time and there is no admission fee.
