Disappointing exit for footballers
It must have been a hugely frustrating year for Waterford football manager Tom Mc Glinchy and his management team as a year which had promised so much at the beginning of the year turned full circle and ended with a thirteen point defeat to Offaly in the All-Ireland qualifiers. Unfortunately there were a number of withdrawals from the squad which made life more difficult for the management. That said there was also a slight hint of optimism in the Deise that with a home draw and a good performance against the Faithful, that perhaps, yes perhaps, we could indeed overturn the six point defeat in the Allianz National League. No doubt Waterford would look to the positives, and there were some, in that O'Connor Park game and while the six point margin was deserved by the home side, the form of the Deise on a going day can be quite impressive. On Saturday last in the "last chance saloon" unfortunately what promised so much in the opening half just withered away in the following thirty five minutes and Waterford ended on the wrong end of a 1-20 to 1-7 scoreline.
The opening minutes of the game saw the visitors five points ahead in the opening eight minutes. The architect for much of thei good work being full forward Nigel Dunne. The opening score for the Deise came just before the tenth minute and this was followed by points from JJ Hutchinson, Podge Hurney and Joey Veale. The Faithful continued to dominate the scoring chances and Graham Guilfoyle and Bernard Allen kept the scoreboard ticking along but a goal from Mark Ferncombe following superb work by Dean Crowley and Dean Guiry saw just the minimum between the sides at the break 0-9 to 1-5. Waterford supporters could still believe.
The opening minutes of the second half saw a different Offaly as they converted the chances. Led by Dunne they began to put distance between themselves and their rivals. As the game entered the final minutes the victory was complete as an effort from Anton O'Sullivan dipped under the crossbar and into the net. Game won for the visitors and the return of just two points from Liam lawlor and Joey Veale in the second half was never going to get Waterfod over the line. In the end the laurels rested with Offaly and deservedly so. A year that had begun with a magnificent McGrath Cup win and an opening victory over Wicklow in the Allianz League just slipped quietly away. Howvever we must also acknowledge the positives from 2015 and that McGrath Cup win, defeating Cork in the process, was certainly a highlight.
IMPRESSIVE UNDER 21 HURLERS
Waterford and Cork squared up in Pairc Ui Rinn on Wednesday last in the quarter final of the Munster Under 21 Hurling Championship. The Deise having beaten the Rebels at senior level in both the Allianz National League final and the Provincial semi-final, there was little doubt but that Cork manager Damien Irwin and his charges were looking forward to redressing the results of 2015. Waterford on the other hand under the guidance of manager Derek Lyons and his management team had a wealth of senior experience in what was an extremely talented panel. The prize for the victor was a trip to Ennis to play Clare, the current champions, on 15th July. Waterford were looking for their first win in the grade in six years and their first against the Rebels in their backyard. In the 2014 game at Walsh Park the Leesiders had a facile eight point win. History however does not win games.
Waterford began sluggishly as Cork showed their intentions by moving 0-5 to 0-2 ahead after fifteen minutes. With the Waterford defence marshalled by impressive Tadgh de Burca getting to grips with their opponents the tide began to turn. The impressive Patrick Curran with a personal match total of 0-12 and the magnificent Shane Bennett (1-4) punished the hosts defence at every opportunity. Waterford turned over 0-9 to 0-6 ahead and had withstood everythiong that Cork threw in the opening half. Waterford were in the ascendancy.
Cork had the opening score of the second half but Waterford added points through Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran, Shane Bennett and Colin Dunford to leave a huge nine points between the sides. In betwen the Deise saw Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins bring off a magnificent save from Shane McNulty. A goal for the home side finally came as Luke Meade evaded the Waterford defence and the Newcestown clubman gave his side just a glimmer of hope. That was however quickly quashed as Shane Bennett goaled for Waterford and the Deise marched on to the semi-final on the back of a very impressive 1-21 to 1-11 scoreline. Incidentally Shane Bennett was nominated man of the match and this after finishing his Leaving Certificate just a few hours before in the Blackwater Community College. Dedication.
LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Round Three of the JJ Kavanagh Senior Hurling Championship began over the weekend with Group Two completed on Sunday and Group One taking place on Tuesday of this week.
The opening game saw Lismore, who are finding life difficult at present, facing Passage who have come back to form with a vengence. Leading 2-14 to 0-5 at the break the lads from the fishing village had shown their intention in the opening minutes as they put 1-3 on the board without reply and led 2-14 to 0-5 at the break. Lismore struggled to get to grips with their opponents and despite a late goal from David Prendergast for the Cathedral Town they went down 2-21 to 1-12. This win sends Passage to the top of the table while Lismore will find games running out if they harbour ambitions of reaching the knockout stages.
The opening game of a Fraher Field double header on Sunday saw Roanmore continue their good form with a win over newly promoted Cappoquin on a 2-13 to 2-18 scoreline. A goal for the losers from Aaron O'Sullivan saw the Cornerstone ahead 1-4 to 0-6 at the break however a Gavin O'brien goal for the Sky Blues in the 45th minute gave the city team a 1-11 to 1-6 lead which they held to the end. Despite a goal from Keith Landers for Cappoquin they could not peg back their opponents and Paul O'Sullivan rounded off the vistory for the Roanmore outfit.
In the second game, having led for long periods, title laden Mount Sion had to give way to a youthful Dungarvan on a 1-22 to 2-16 scoreline. The Monastery outfit who made a superb start led 0-9 to 0-3 after twenty minutes and goals from Bill Walsh and Tony Browne early in the second half saw them ahead 2-11 to 0-9. However from there to the end it was Dungarvan who carved out the openings. A goal and two points from Patrick Curran saw the Old Boro ahead 1-19 to 2-15 with five minutes to play and they added three more in the remaining minutes to record a four point win. With two games remaining both teams may well qualify but Mount Sion with just a solitary win and two losses may well be looking over their shoulder.
MMANAGER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Waterford Senior Hurling manager Derek McGrath on his Philips Manager of the Month Award. Well deserved and may there be more to follow
