Waterford seek third Minor All-Ireland Glory.

Appearances by Waterford at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final Day, its possibly fair to say are a bit like hens teeth.

This Sunday, our Minor Hurlers for only the fourth time since 1929 appear in a final at G.A.A. headquarters, meaning, win loose or draw it is a day that should be remembered for a long time, one that will have to be recorded in the pages of history.

Waterford’s previous All-Ireland final appearances at Minor level have come in 1929, 1948 and 1992. The gaps between the appearances mean that no player that has played for Waterford in the latter two finals was born when the side previously played in the final.

If this trend was to continue, the players that will be taking to the field on Sunday afternoon will be coming to the end of their club careers the next time Waterford will appear in a final, but something is telling me that with the standard of players we are producing in Waterford right now, that the way might not be too long before Waterford are back in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day.

In 1929, Waterford had the likes of the Jimmy and Jackie Goode from Dungarvan in the team that went on to make a name for themselves on a bigger stage.

When Waterford next played in an All-Ireland (1948) it was the likes of Mick Flannelly who was the Waterford Captain on the day, Mickey O’Connor and Tom Cunningham that were the starts of the team. Just like the men of 1929, these and others from that team went on to make a name for themselves on the bigger stage.

When Waterford last appeared in a minor All-Ireland (1992), it was Tom Feeney, James O’Connor, Anthony Kirwan, Derek McGrath and Paul Flynn that were the Waterford players that in the years ahead that went on to make a name for themselves.

Have no doubt, win loose or draw this weekend, Waterford are going to have stars emerge from the present panel and if some do not go on to forge a name for themselves on a bigger stage, it will come as a major surprise to many.

Waterford to reach this stage of the competition has played seven games, and to reach this stage of the competition they had to play all four other teams from Munster which must be a record of sorts.

In the seven games that Waterford has played to date, twenty-five different players have been used by the selectors. This may seem a rather high number as most teams in recent years to win the final would have used approximately nineteen or twenty players, but the fact that Waterford have used a much higher number would show the talent that Waterford management have available to them and also show that any player can come in and do a job for the side if required.

Waterford’s ability to score cannot be questioned. Of the twenty five players used in the championship this year (which included two different goalkeepers), fifteen different players have got on the score sheet.

The Fifteen players that have scored for Waterford this year have shared twenty goals and one hundred and eleven points between them. At the opposite end of the field, Waterford has left eight goals and one hundred and twelve points past them.

Going into this weekends game, the Waterford selectors will have every confidence in their charges and this the way it could be, but if they have one worry it is that they have conceded a high amount of score able frees. We are told that Waterford are working on not conceding such frees in training, and if this is the case, then you have to feel that Waterford have an outstanding chance of winning on Sunday.

Waterford’s path to this years All-Ireland final began back on April 11 when Tipperary were visitors to Walsh Park.

For much of the first half in this game, Waterford looked to be the better team and would be advancing to a Munster Semi Final appearance with Limerick.

The home side lead 0-7 to 0-5 at the half way point in the first half, but at the break they trailed 1-10 to 1-9.

In the second half lead by the impressive Josh Keane, the Premier Men proved to be the better of the two sides and ran out winners with six points to spare to set up a Munster semi final meeting with Limerick while it was the qualifiers for Waterford.

On May 1, Clare were visitors to Fraher Field for a play-off game to see who would play Cork in the semi finals.

Waterford easily accounted for a fancied Clare side at Fraher Field at the second time of asking after the original fixture was called off at the same venue two weeks earlier as a result of strong winds which blew over the area on the night the game was to be played.

In an even first half, at the end of thirty minutes, Waterford proved to be the better of the two sides and retired at the break holding a 1-10 to 0-8 advantage.

However in the second half, Waterford proved to be well on top as Stephen Bennett hitting two and Cormac Curran one goal to Conor Gleeson’s first half strike to run out easy winners.

The Munster Semi Final was not played until after the Leaving and Junior Certs were completed.

On June 26, Waterford travelled to Pairc Ui Rinn for a game that proved to be an historic one for Waterford as a first ever victory for the Déise County in underage Munster Championship Hurling played on Cork soil was recorded.

The rebels got off to a rip roaring start in this game and lead 1-7 to 0-1 with just seventeen minutes on the clock. Waterford however despite the poor start were to finish the game the stronger of the two sides.

Trailing 1-7 to 0-4 at the break, Waterford came out for the second half putting 2-1 past Cork in the opening minutes of the half.

The remainder of the game proved to be an even encounter and it was no surprise when the game was brought to its conclusion, that the sides were locked 2-12 to 1-15 to send the game to extra time.

Two minutes into extra times Cork had a player sent off after collecting a second yellow card, something that was to have an effect on a tiring Cork team.

At the break in Extra time, the home side lead 1-18 to 2-14, but Waterford outscored the home side 1-5 to 0-2 in the second added ten minute period, Waterford’s goal coming from Substitute DJ Foran.

Waterford had to travel to Limerick on July 14 to play a Limerick side that had beaten a fancied Tipperary side at the semi final stages of the championship in this years final.

Waterford had to withstand a late surge by Limerick playing in front of a huge home local support came from behind to get a share of the spoils.

Waterford for much of the game proved to be the better of the two sides, and lead at the break by three points.

As they had done in the previous game with Cork, Waterford got the second half off to a flying start as Stephen Bennett put the ball in the Limerick net to extend Waterford’s lead.

With ten minutes to play, it looked as though Waterford were going to win rather easily, but Limerick’s late surge, which saw them see Ronan Lynch and Tom Morrissey rattle the Waterford net.

The replay took place on July 23, and many in Waterford had hoped that as Waterford travelled to Limerick for the drawn game that the replay would be played at Walsh Park or Fraher Field but the Munster Council fixed the game for Thurles.

Farcical scenes were witnessed before the game, when a late surge of fans turned up minutes before the game was to start and with only one stand open, supporters after getting inside the stadium trapped across the field to get entry to the Old Stand.

Limerick ahead of the game made some astute switches to their defence before the game in a bid to cut off the danger that the Waterford attack possessed and it worked as they raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Waterford hit back with goals from Stephen Bennett and Adam Farrell which left Sean Power’s men trailing 1-7 to 2-2 at the break.

The second half proved to be one where the ball went from end to end. Waterford took a 3-7 to 1-13 lead when Stephen Bennett crashed a second goal to the net and when the Ballysaggart man raised a third green flag it looked as though victory was going to be Waterford, but for the second successive game Limerick put in a late surge to run out winners.

Defeat for Waterford meant that the side were out again the following Sunday afternoon in the All-Ireland quarter finals against Antrim.

This was a game where Waterford was always on top in. Austin Gleeson a player that is getting rave reviews for his performances in the Waterford shirt this year was once again on top of his game and helped Waterford to a 0-11 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Waterford in the second half continued to be the better of the two sides as Patrick Curran and Stephen Bennett both hit a brace of goals for the Munster side.

The game ended prematurely after a neck injury was suffered by Antrim’s J McCurdy forcing the Ulstermen to concede the fixture, in agreement with referee Justin Heffernan while waiting for an Ambulance to arrive at the venue.

The First of this year’s All-Ireland semi finals was played in Croke Park on August 11 against Kilkenny.

The Cat’s were expected to provide stiff opposition for Waterford, and so it proved to be.

First half goals from Adam Farrell and DJ Foran proved to be the difference between Waterford and Kilkenny in the first of this year’s All-Ireland minor hurling semi finals at Croke Park.

Waterford lead by two at the break 2-5 to 0-9, as the side south of the Suir proved to be the slightly better of the two sides, as Kilkenny were only staying in the game thanks to the unerring shooting of Alan Murphy from frees.

Waterford not for the first time this year had a very good start to the second half when Michael Kearney and Patrick Curran put over scores to extend Waterford’s lead.

However Kilkenny refused to throw in the towel and with eight minutes of the second half played only one separated the sides in Waterford’s favour.

With Twelve minutes of the game to play, just two points separated the sides and shortly afterwards it looked as though Waterford would be in trouble when Shane Bennett was ordered off after collecting his second yellow of the game.

Kilkenny however did not have a numerical disadvantage for too long as Eoin Kenny was sent off on fifty four minutes after he collected his second yellow of the game following a foul on Austin Gleeson.

DJ Foran put Waterford three up with as many minutes to play, but Liam Blanchfield responded with a similar score for Kilkenny but in the time that remained The Cats were unable to what they had scored and Waterford ran out two point winners.

Waterford’s opponents Galway are a site that will have to be respected. Since Waterford last appeared in an All-Ireland Final at this grade of hurling, the Tribesmen have appeared in fourteen finals, half of which resulted in wins for the side from the Western Province.

For most of these finals, Galway had Mattie Murphy in charge and he is again in charge this year. He is a hugely experienced manager and knows what it takes to win at this level. He has also served two stints in this time as manager of the Galway Senior Hurlers, winning six Connacht Senior hurling finals, but more importantly won two National League Finals. He also served as manager of the Mayo senior hurlers for a spell over a decade ago.

Galway’s first game in this years championship was against a Laois side easily beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final.

Galway secured their passage to the semi final stages of this years championship with a nine point defeat of the Midlanders.

In the first half, Laois put it up to Galway, and only trailed 0-9 to 0-7 at the break, but the Midlanders were somewhat unfortunate not to have been in front at the break as they had a Joe Campion goal on twenty one minutes ruled out.

Galway made a good start to the second half as Conor Whelan rattled the Laois net on thirty eight minutes. Laois did hit back and closed the gap to one at one stage but Galway hit the last eight scores of the game to win the game with some ease.

Controversy surrounded their semi final win over Limerick, as Hawk-Eye when called upon indicated that a Barry Nash effort that did go between the posts was shown on the screens around the stadium as a miss.

Aside from this, the game proved to be a cracker which at half time saw the sides retire locked at 0-8 a piece.

With a minute to go in Normal time, the sides were still level (0-15 a piece), but Galway looked as though they were going to claim victory when they pointed, but Limerick responded with a late point to force the game into extra time.

At the end of the first extra ten minute period, the Tribesmen held a 0-19 to 0-18 advantage, and when they added scores from Conor Whelan, Ronan O’Meara and Eanna Burke in the second ten minutes, there was no doubting as to what the final outcome of the game would be.

A Waterford team is not going to be named for at least another twenty-four hours. However, it is not expected that Sean Power and his selectors will make many surprising moves ahead of the game.

Gavin Power is expected to continue between the posts. Kevin Daly looks set to captain the team from the full back position and be flanked by William Hahessy and Cian Leamy.

Austin Gleeson, for many the real star of the team should well start at Centre back. Shane Bennett be at left half back and on the opposite side, the spot could well be between Tom Devine and Michael Harney.

In the middle of the field, one of the spots is likely to be taken by which ever from Tom Devine or Michael Harney that does not get a wing back position and Mark O’Brien.

At Centre Forward, it is expected that Colm Roche will get the nod, and he should be flanked by Portlaw’s DJ Foran and Adam Farrell, while the inside forward line should consist of Stephen Bennett on the edge of the square with Patrick Curran and Michael Kearney either side of the Ballysaggart Club man.

Having used twenty five players to date in the championship, Sean Power and his selectors have proven that they do have the potential to cause a surprise or two in the naming of the team.

However, when it comes to starting this weekend, of those that have not been named already, there are only three or four players that could realistically be considered as players who could be set to start, with Conor Gleeson and Cormac Curran the players most likely to win a place in the starting fifteen. The question is, if they do, at whose expense would it be?

Some great work is done with the promotion of hurling in Waterford over the past number of years. In recent years, some rewards have been achieved for this work. The ultimate pay off would be for Waterford to win a third All-Ireland final on Sunday afternoon, something that wont happen easy, but is something that is very doable.

 

 Waterford’s Path to the All-Ireland Final

11 April           Waterford 1-15           Tipperary        2-18     in Walsh Park

1 May              Waterford 4-18           Clare               1-10     in Fraher Field

26 June            Waterford 3-19           Cork                 1-20     in Pairc Ui Rinn (After Extra Time)

14 July             Waterford 2-19           Limerick          2-19     in Gaelic Grounds

23 July             Waterford 4-8             Limerick          1-20     in Semple Stadium

28 July             Waterford 4-20           Antrim             1-9       in Ashbourne

11 August        Waterford 2-12           Kilkenny           0-16     in Croke Park

 

Waterford Minor Hurling Panel

1.         Gavin Power               Dungarvan

2.         William Hahessey       Clonea                        

3.         Kevin Daly                  Dungarvan                 

4.         Cian Leamy                 Ballyduff Upper        

5.         Michéal Harney           Bonmahon                  

6.         Austin Gleeson           Mount Sion                

7.         Shane Bennett             Ballysaggart               

8.         Mark O’Brien              Ferrybank                   

9.         Tom Devine                Modeligo                    

10.       Adam Farrell               De La Salle                

11.       Colm Roche                Shamrocks                  

12.       DJ Foran                     Portlaw                       

13.       Patrick Curran             Dungarvan                 

14.       Stephen Bennett         Ballysaggart               

15.       Michael Kearney         Ballyduff Upper        

16.       Sean Clancy                Clonea                        

17.       Sam O’Neill                Erin’s Own                 

18.       Paul O’Connor            Clashmore/Kinsalebeg

19.       Conor Gleeson            Fourmilewater            

20.       MJ Sutton                   Ferrybank                   

21.       Cormac Curran            Brickey Rangers         

22.       Barry Whelan              Tramore                      

23.       Sean Hogan                 Passage                       

24.       Edmond O’Halloran   Clashmore/Kinsalebeg 

25.       Jack McCarthy            De La Salle

26.       Billy O’Keeffe            Ballygunner

27.       Peter Hogan                Ballygunner

28.       Shane Ryan                 De La Salle

29.       Christy Breathnach     An Rinn

30.       David Prendergast      Lismore

31.       Paul O’Toole               Roanmore

32.       Dermot Ryan              Fourmilewater

33.       Craig Brown               Erin’s Own

34.       Michael Cronin           Ardmore

Manager:       Sean Power                 Mount Sion

Selectors:        Kieran O’Gorman       Lismore

Wayne Power              Ballyduff Upper

John Treacy                 Passage

Physio:            Anthony Flanagan

First Aid:        Christopher Power and Tony Madigan.