Weekly Digest 19 Sept. 2013

Senior Football Quarter Finals

Last weekend we had the Quarter Finals of the Senior Hurling Championships in Waterford and this weekend the Senior Football Championship reaches the same stage.

As the last of last weekend’s games was happening, it was obvious from early in the game that the four teams that would reach the semi finals of this year’s championship would all come from the same group in the Group stages of the championship.

So, what are the odds of the same happening this weekend? Well to be honest unless you are the most pessimistic of supporters, it’s unlikely. There was possibly more of a chance of Fianna Fail returning to sit around the cabinet table at the last General Election than the four teams coming from the same group advancing to the semi finals this weekend, but in saying that, each game is in effect a two horse race and in such cases, you can never tell what is going to happen.

Stradbally and Ballinameela get the weekend’s proceedings underway at Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

These two sides met at the semi final stages of the championship back in 2010. Back then it looked as though Stradbally were advancing to the final, but Ballinameela struck for a late goal to edge them in front by one, meaning that Stradbally with the last attack of the game needed to put the ball between the posts be it over or under the crossbar to get something from the game.

Stradbally did put the ball over the crossbar to earn a draw and in the replay they proved to be too strong for the Intermediate Champions from the previous year.

Ballinameela are again the reigning intermediate champions, winning it last year having being relegated at the end of 2011.  

However while they have some good footballers to pick from it is hard to see them get something in front of goal, as while Stradbally are still more than happy to win a game by a game or two, this year they have opened up in front of goal and when the chances come their way they have a tendency to kick the scores that sees them pull away.

Clashmore and An Rinn clash in the second of three games at Fraher Field on Saturday (4-45pm). There is something telling me that this could well prove to be the game of the weekend.

Both sides throughout the year have found themselves unable to field a full strength team due to injuries and players away.

However, while both teams might not be exactly at full strength this weekend, they won’t be too far from it.

Both sides in the eyes of many are very close to breaking the dominance of the ‘Big Three’ in Waterford football and its only a matter of time before one of them do wrestle the Conway Cup from the grasp of the big three. The question to be answered is will it be in 2013?

For the successful clubs, when it comes to this part of the year, they tend to have a problem in finding a balance between hurling and football.

An Rinn having lost last years Senior Hurling Relegation play off now only have football to concentrate on. Clashmore on the other hand are involved in a Western Intermediate Hurling semi final in the coming weeks. Will this be a distraction for them?

On paper, very little separates these two sides, but there can only be on winner. For me, Clashmore are that slightly better equipped to win and therefore get the not to advance to the last four from this game.

The third game at Fraher Field on Saturday evening is the meeting of The Nire and Kilrossanty (6-30pm). This game was originally fixed for Friday evening but will now take place on Saturday evening.

These two sides clashed last year at the same stage of the championship. Extra time and a replay was needed before The Nire advanced to the semi finals, and it would be no surprise if this game was to prove to be equally as close.

Last week while playing in the senior hurling championship, Shane Walsh came off twenty minutes from time in Fourmilwater’s loss to Abbeyside. There were fears that it was a re-occurrence of an injury of the injury that ruled him out of much of the years while others were saying that it was a precaution for this weekend’s game and he was taken off as it was very obvious that Fourmilewater would not be progressing to the next stage of the championship.

If it was an injury that forced him off, no doubt The Nire will be hoping that it is not too bad and won’t keep him out of this weekend’s game. If he was to miss out, it would be a massive blow to his chances.  

Kilrossanty are able to welcome back Paul Whyte for this weekends games. He missed his side’s most recent games as he was in America for the summer, but they suffered a blow in their most recent game against Stradbally when Stephen Prendergast picked up an injury that will force him out of this game and any more games his side plays this year.

Don’t be too surprised if this game does prove to be as close as the battles between the two last year. The Nire however get the nod to advance.

The final quarter final game of the weekend sees Saint Saviours take on Ballinacourty in Carriganore on Saturday evening (7pm).

The majority of the football supporters in the county will be delighted to see the Ballybeg based outfit reach this stage of the championship. Some great work is done within the club to keep football alive at the highest level in the city area.

They will fancy their chances in this game. Rumour has it that they have used the WIT premises a few times recently in a bid to get used of the ground more than they are. They also had a good win last time out against Ardmore which will give them even further confidence.

Ballinacourty however will not be an easy nut to crack. They will be there or there about in the last few years when it comes the Conway Cup finding a home at the end of the year and they will continue to do so for some time to come.

They have some very good footballers within their ranks who are as good as in any other of the country.

They had a good league section to the championship and will be looking to keep that run going.

However, difficult choices may have to be made in the coming weeks. Abbeyside are through to the semi finals of the senior hurling championship and are beginning to peak at the right time, and many are fancying them to win the Senior Hurling Championship this year or in the very near future.

But in recent years, successful clubs as already pointed out, finding the right balance between hurling and football at this time of the year is a hard act and they may be forced to pick one over the other shortly.

Ballinacourty should have enough in them to get past this game meaning that they wont have to make any calls for another week or more.

Brickeys and Gaultier also meet this Saturday (7pm) at Saturday in Stradbally in the relegation play off.

While it will not be nice to see which ever of the two to drop down, one of them will have to. Football in the city and its hinterland needs as many clubs as possible playing in the senior grade, and for this reason, most supporters may have a slight favouring for Gaultier to stay up this year.

NOTE: those that read my blog last week where I gave predictions for the weekend will be aware that I got far more wrong than I did right. I wonder in light of my predicting results at times, how many of those I fancy to win this weekend will be slightly concerned.

Eastern Fixtures:

Things are getting quite in the two divisions this time of the year.

In the east of the county, just five games are down to decision this weekend.

In the Junior (B) Football Championship, Saint Saviours and De La Salle clash in the final at Kill on Saturday at 2pm.

This is the first of three games to be played at the mid county venue on Saurday.

The Intermediate semi finals take place later in the afternoon. Bonmahon and John Mitchells are first up at 4pm and will be followed at 5-45pm with the meeting of De La Salle and Portlaw.

De La Salle narrowly missed out on winning last years county final and will be fancying their chances to go a step further this year, but first they will have to get over this game. They should have in them what it takes to win and could well be joined in the final by John Mitchells who you would expect to be that little bit stronger than Bonmahon.

The Junior Football semi finals are also down for decision this weekend.

Kill take on Erin’s Own in Fenor on Saturday at 2pm and at the same time in Walsh Park Mount Sion take on Ferrybank.

Kill will be the favourites to beat Erin’s Own while Mount Sion who have appeared in a number of Eastern and County Finals in recent years could well come out on top in the second semi final, but it remains to be seen how many of the Senior Hurling Panel will line out for the footballers in this game with next weeks County Semi Final against Passage fast coming around.

Western Fixtures:

If it is a quiet weekend in the east of the county, it’s even quieter in the west, as there are just four games to be played.

Modeligo and Shamrocks meet in the first of this year’s junior semi finals at Ballyduff on Friday evening (7pm) and they will be fancied to win.

The second semi final takes place at Bushy Park on Saturday (2-30pm) with Colligan and Affane set to clash.

Most have a feeling that Colligan will come out on top in this game, but I know Affane/Cappoquin long enough now to know that you never write them off. Coming up through the underage ranks with the past decade or more when they reach the knockout stages of a competition you write them off at your pearl, and I for one have a feeling that they will advance to a local derby western final.

The intermediate football semi finals are also down to be played this Saturday. Dungarvan and Geraldine’s meet in the first semi final at Bushy Park at 4pm. Geraldine’s are pushing to come out of this championship with a number of years, while Dungarvan won it in 2011 but were relegated at the end of 2012.

There is no doubting the ability that Dungarvan have and now that the hurlers are out of the championship all the concentration in recent weeks will be on football and this game.

The second semi final is between Sliabh gCua and Ballyduff Upper at Abbeyside (7-30pm).

These two sides met back in August and it was the side from the far west of the county that came out on top.

Sliabh gCua throughout the year have struggled with injuries and for this game will be without some of their first choice players.

For me, its Dungarvan and Ballyduff to advance, but maybe I might be saying this taking into account my recent record of predicting results.

Minor Hurling

The final round of games in the group stages of this year’s Minor Hurling Championship is down for decision this coming Sunday. All games have a 12 noon start.

Division 1 Fixtures: - First named team at home.

De La Salle V Abbeyside

Roanmore V Mount Sion

St Carthage’s V Ballygunner.

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Ballygunner	5	5	0	0	111	69	42	10
Roanmore	5	4	0	1	91	89	2	8
Dungarvan	6	3	1	2	112	97	15	7
De La Salle	5	2	0	3	74	77	-3	4
Mount Sion	5	2	0	3	62	92	-30	4
St. Carthages	5	1	1	3	104	98	6	3
Abbeyside	5	0	0	5	56	88	-32	0

Division 2 Fixtures: - First named team at home.

Cappoquin V St Oliver’s

Erin’s Own V Clan na Gael

Naomh Brid V Clonea

Passage V Brickeys

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Naomh Brid	6	4	0	2	134	119	15	8
Erin’s Own	6	3	2	1	114	121	-7	8
Cappoquin	6	3	1	2	117	97	20	7
Clonea	6	3	1	2	100	88	12	7
St Oliver's	6	2	3	1	118	119	-1	7
Passage	6	2	2	2	104	106	-2	6
Clan na Gael	6	1	1	4	107	125	-18	3
Brickeys	6	1	0	5	96	115	-19	2

Division 3 Fixtures: - First named team at home.

Ardmore V An Gaeltacht

Clashmore V Fourmilewater

Cois Bhride V Tramore

Portlaw V Ferrybank

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Cois Bhride	6	4	1	1	140	93	47	9
Fourmilewater	6	4	0	2	122	108	14	8
An Gaeltacht	6	3	2	1	95	98	-3	8
Ferrybank	6	2	3	1	130	115	15	7
Portlaw	6	3	0	3	100	85	15	6
Tramore	6	2	1	3	120	136	-16	5
Clashmore	6	1	1	4	117	167	-50	3
Ardmore	6	1	0	5	89	111	-22	2

Division Four – No Fixtures

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Ballyduff Lower	4	4	0	0	131	49	82	8
Ballyduff Upper	4	3	0	1	86	58	28	6
Stradbally	4	2	0	2	95	91	4	4
St Saviours	4	1	0	3	21	99	-78	2
St. Marys	4	0	0	4	28	64	-36	0

Harty Cup

This Year’s Dr Harty Cup Competition begins on Wednesday next.

This is possibly the first year that the defending champions will not be able to defend their title, as someone in their wisdom purposed that group teams should not be allowed into group sides into the ‘A’ grade of competition.

This could well prove to be a very backward step by those that took the decision and you can’t but wonder were they looking after their own interest or the interest of hurling in general when they made the call.

While the big colleges will always be strong, it is going to be much tougher for the smaller colleges in the ‘A’ Championship from now on.

The decision was made on the grounds that a number of players won ‘A’ and ‘B’ Munster Medals last year. Dungarvan CBS last year it cannot be denied that were the best team in the ‘B’ Competition and duly won the Munster and All-Ireland Finals, but this does not mean on their own they would be strong enough to do the same in the ‘A’ Grade.

The decision of those that took the call they did now means that College’s like St Augustine’s College in Abbeyside who joined with Dungarvan CBS last year to form Dungarvan Colleges are this year playing in the ‘C’ grade of competition. Have no doubt that the ‘Friary’ lads will again in 2013/14 have some good players and some very good players, who will not have the chance to pit their talents against the best in the rest of Munster.

This rant if you want to call it that is not just a Waterford one. Last year West Limerick College’s competed in the top grade of competition. The colleges that made up this unit will play in the lower grade of competition this year, meaning the best of their players like Saint Augustine’s players won’t get to play against the best of the rest. I have no doubt that in Cork, Clare Tipperary and possibly even Kerry there is players this year who are good enough to play in the top grade of hurling on the college’s scene, but they are denied the chance by those that were possibly looking after their own side’s interest rather than that of hurling in general.

Harty Cup Fixtures: - Wednesday 25/9/2013. All games at 1:30pm

Thurles CBS V Castletroy, in Tipperary Town, Referee: John O Brien.

Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G V Doon in Fermoy, Referee: Nathan Wall

P.S. Blackwater V Dungarvan, in Fraher Field, Referee: Willie Barrett

Midleton CBS V Nenagh CBS in Charleville, Referee: Davy Copps

Ardscoil Rís V Bandon in Mallow, Referee: Joe Larkin

St. Flannan’s V De La Salle in Cashel, Referee: Fergal Horgan

Templemore V Charleville in Claughan, Referee: Shane Horgan

High School Clonmel V Youghal in Cappoquin, Referee: Tommy Sullivan

Select Fixtures from other Grades.

‘C’ Championship Wednesday 25/9/2013 at 1:30pm

Kinsale CS V St. Augustine’s, in Youghal, Referee: Jim Daly

St. Paul’s C.C. V Rathkeale, in Goatenbridge, Referee: Paddy Ivers

‘D’ Championship Wednesday 25/9/2013 at 1:30pm

St. Patrick Comp. Shannon V Mount Sion in Golden, Referee: Phil Ryan

Mean Scoil St. Nicolas Rinn V Mount Hawk, in St. Vincent’s (Cork), Referee: James Dorgan

SP Kilfinane receive walk over from Clonmel College

Carrick on Suir CBS w/o SMI Newcastlewest scr

College Result’s

Some College results from the past few days in the Munster U16 ½ Hurling Championships.

Dean Ryan Cup – Under 16 ½ A Hurling

Rochestown 5-14 St. Colman Fermoy 1-7

St. Caimin’s Shannon 5-21 Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG 1-11

De La Salle 5-12 Abbey CBS 3-7

Ard Scoil Ris 3-18 Kilmallock 0-6

Thurles CBS 3-16 St. Flannan’s 2-11

Midleton CBS 0-12 High School Clonmel 1-6

Other Select Results

Under 16 ½ B Hurling

Dungarvan 3-13 Doon 2-8

Under 16 ½ C Hurling

Hospital 4-10 St. Augustine’s 3-11

St. Pauls 4-16 SR Killenaule 4-09

Tramore CBS 2-15 Col. an Phiarsaigh 0-11

Under 16 ½ D Hurling

Mount Sion 8-12 North Mon CBS 0-06

Mean Scoil St. Nicholas, Rinn V Newport College – not played. The Ring side turned up for this game in Ballymacarbry but a mix up between two colleges meant that neither of them showed up to play so the game will have to be re-fixed.

Ladies Football:

The County Ladies Football board hold two county finals this coming Saturday at the Dungarvan Club grounds. Na Déise and Old Parish clash in the Junior ‘B’ Final at 4-30pm and is followed at 6pm with the senior final between Ballymacarbry and Comeragh Rangers.

Camogie

2013 is going to be a year long remembered in Waterford.

In recent weeks Waterford have won the under 14 and 16 ladies football ‘B’ All-Ireland’s and the Minor Hurling All-Ireland Final. The County under 16 Camogie team also narrowly lost out to Cork in their All-Ireland final recently.

Last Saturday, another title came to Waterford when the Counties under 14 team won the All-Ireland Division two blitz in Dublin.

Waterford in the group stages of the competition had good wins over Down (3-2 to 0-2), Derry (3-3 to 0-0), Offaly (5-2 to 0-0) and Antrim (1-4 to 1-3) which gave them a semi final spot against Dublin.

In the semi final, Waterford again proved too strong for Dublin and ran out winners on a 6-3 to 0-1 score line.

Derry came through from the second semi final after they beat Wexford 2-1 to 1-0 meaning Derry and Waterford had to meet for the second time on the day.

In the earlier game Waterford had a 12 point win but this time around things were much closer and at full time the sides were locked together. In extra time it was Waterford that came out on top on a 4-3 to 1-2 score line to take the title home for the second year in a row.