The Nire V Stradbally - Part Two

Stradbally and The Nire clash for the second time in a week on Saturday evening next when they replay the County Senior Football Final at Fraher Field (7pm) after the sides drew 0-8 to 2-2 on Sunday last at the same venue.

Waterford senior football finals tend not to feature high rates of scoring. Last Sunday’s game proves this. Stradbally hit four scores and they managed to survive for another day.

County Finals in Waterford are also often played in wintry conditions. This was certainly the case last Sunday and there can be no doubting that the elements played their part in such a low scoring game.

There could be some good news regarding the weather for the replay. Forecasts for the Dungarvan area indicate that the temperatures for Saturday evening will be around six degrees around the time the game is set to start, not bad for the second weekend in November, and there should be no problem with the wind as the indications are that there will only be a light breeze. The rain however could be another matter. The indications are that there could be mist or light rain in the Dungarvan area.

Six of the last seven finals prior to this year have been won with less than ten scores for the winning team. It’s more than a possibility, barring the game having to go to extra time on Saturday evening that this statistic will become seven finals in eight.

In their respective semi finals, The Nire and Stradbally hit 3-13 and 2-12 respectfully so we know both sides can score good totals. Why they can’t do it when they play each other is a little mind boggling.

Both sides will go into Saturday’s game in a confident mood that they can add to their Roll of Honour.

Stradbally all year look good. They seemed to be changing the way they played compared to previous years. They have put up scores that they could only dream of previously and they have not relied on one or two players for their scores.

However on Sunday last, we saw the Stradbally of old. They trailed by four points at one stage in the first half, but typical Stradbally they kept plugging away and fought back to level and even lead going into the final minutes of the game.

Their full forward line of Shane and Robert Ahearne as well as Niall Curran will take some watching. However, Stradbally are not just about this threeo. David Grey has had a good year in the red and white shirt. Last time out, Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh put in a man of the match performance in the middle of the field. There is no doubting that he can repeat this performance.

Last time out, The Nire had their chances to win the game. There can be no doubting that had frees from Shane Walsh and Brian Wall gone over in the first quarter of an hour in this game, then Stradbally were in a lot of trouble. Six points down would have been a lot to come back from. It is however hard to place any blame on the duo for their misses. However, there could be lesson to learn. Hitting frees, especially in difficult conditions are often best hit of the ground and to get just enough height on the ball to take it over the crossbar.

For years now, The Nire relied on Shane Walsh for a lot of their scores. No longer is this the case. Liam Lawlor on the edge of the square has been a revelation. Jamie Barron also knows where the posts are, as do Shane Ryan, Brian Wall, the Guiry’s as well as do what ever pairing they field in the middle of the field and even their half back line.

Throughout the year, they have played very positively. They have played a brand of football that is a joy to watch. They have hit fourteen goals in their eight games to date and have hit almost 100 more points to this tally.

For all their strengths, both sides have their weaknesses. In their semi final game, Stradbally were under the cosh for much of the first half against Ballinacourty and were rather fortunate not to have conceded up to three goals.

The Nire too might not be as strong as they would like at the back. Fifteen points pasted them in their semi final win over Clashmore. Last time out Robert Ahearne used his height to score two goals. This is bound to be a concern as the Ahearne Brothers could use their height once more to cause consternation in and around the goal.

Of the two sides, The Nire would appear to be best equipped to solve the problems that have at the back. For a number of years now, the O’Gorman twins, Maurice and Thomas as well as Justin Walsh have been solid when playing together in the full back line. They have the option of regrouping them. They also have the option of moving Liam Lawlor into the half back line, which is possibly his best position, but if JJ Moore and his selectors were to make such a move, are they robbing Peter to pay Paul.

For last Sunday’s game, I went for Stradbally to win, and will stay with them. Both sides can play a physical game. If they do, you can’t but feel that Stradbally may be the more physical team. They also have the added advantage of the height of the Ahearne brothers if they were to pump the ball into their full forward line. The Nire will start with the advantage of youth on their side. However with age, Stradbally process experience, something you can never underestimate. While going for Stradbally to win, I have to once again let the lads in The Nire know, that time and time again, it has been pointed out that my predicting is often not the best.