Waterford - A hurling Review (Part 1)

There are few that would not agree that 2013 was a good year for hurling in Waterford. For a number of years now, great work has been put in to promote the game within the county and it looks now that this work could now be set to reap the rewards.

The year in the eyes of some began on a disappointing mood as John Mullane, one of the stars of the Waterford Senior Hurling Team since he made his debut in 2001 announced his retirement from the inter county scene.

Some had hoped that Michael Ryan would have named him as captain for the year ahead. Some people believed that the De La Salle Club Man who always gave it his all in a white and blue shirt might be able to find something extra in the tank if he was captain and that with him as leader of the team Waterford could be in Croke Park in September and be leading the side up the steps of the Hogan Stand shortly before 5pm on September 8.

However, to many the announcement that John Mullane would not be part of the team in 2013 was not a surprise.

Keen observers of the game had spotted that after Waterford lost to Cork in the 2012 championship, when John Mullane went to the Waterford support after the game, he seemed in his body language seem to indicate that he would not be back. He had given twelve good seasons to Waterford. If he was not to return, nobody could fault him. His performances in a white and blue shirt could never be questioned. In the twelve years that John Mullane played with Waterford the performances of some that played with him could be questioned and in some cases severely questioned, but not the De La Salle Club man’s who always gave it everything.

When Michael Ryan and his selectors did name a new captain, if they were to make a change from Michael Walsh or Stephen Molumphy who had captained the side in recent times, the obvious choice was Kevin Moran and this is who the selectors went for.  

With another big name gone from the Waterford set up, Eoin Kelly having also announced his retirement, Stephen Molumphy away on Army Duty, Clinton Hennessy retiring as a number of other players also not making themselves available for selection, the bookies from an early stage again wrote off Waterford.

When the playing year did get underway, it was a disappointing start for Waterford as University of Limerick came out on top at Carriganore in a Waterford Crystal Cup in the preliminary round of games.

This defeat gave the bookies even more reason to talk down Waterford’s chances of any success in 2013.

In the first round of the league, Waterford travelled to Ennis to play Davy Fitzgerald’s fancied Clare side.

First half goals from Seamus Prendergast and Jake Dillon proved decisive. Waterford went to the dressing rooms at the break leading 2-5 to 1-7.

Clare in the second half mounted a lot of pressure upon the Waterford defence. With time up it looked as though the sides might have to settle for a share of the spoils, but a late Jake Dillon free secured a 2-15 to 1-17 victory for Waterford.

Game two was against Cork at Fraher Field. This was a game that should never have gone ahead. Weather conditions on the day were terrible. A large crowd as expected turned up for a Waterford and Cork clash. The rain that fell on the day meant that few if any went to the banks or sat in the front of the stand, meaning that back of the stand was over crowded and if something was to happen there on the day, you would have to wonder what the consequences would be.

Waterford in the first half played with the elements at their backs and as the sides went to the dressing rooms for a change of kit, Waterford lead 0-10 to 0-2.

An early Stephen Moylan goal in the second half changed the game for Cork and for much of the second half; they proved to be the better of the two sides. With the game entering its final moments, Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side were two points up, but efforts from Seamus Prendergast and Brian O’Sullivan meant that Waterford managed to get a deserved share of the spoils.

Game three was played on a Monday, a Bank Holiday given in lieu of St Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday.

Waterford on the day played some good hurling on the day. Waterford led in Nolan Park 0-11 to 1-6 at the break with the side playing well throughout.

The hardest place in the world to play is in goal. If you make a string of saves you are a hero forever. If you make a mistake it is remembered for as long as a string of great saves are. In this game two blunders by Stephen O’Keeffe resulted in two goals for Kilkenny, the second coming from Matthew Ruth, a score that Waterford never fully recovered from, going under 2-15 to 0-16.

Tipperary were visitors to Walsh Park for the fourth series of games. Again a large gathering was in attendance.

The game was an even affair throughout, with the sides locked at 1-6 to 0-9 at the break.

As in Waterford’s previous games, the game could have ended anyway, with the draw possibly the fairest overall result, but Waterford ended the game one point in front (1-14 to 0-16) thanks to a magnificent point scored by Kevin Moran from near the side line at the very end of the game.

Waterford went into the final round of games holding the top place in Division 1A. If they avoided defeat against Galway at Walsh Park Michael Ryan’s men would win a place in the semi finals of the league.

Galway came to Waterford needing nothing other than a win, otherwise their involvement in the league would be over. They set out their stall from early in the game and retired at the break holding a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage.

Waterford played much better in the second half, outscoring their opponents, nine scores to seven, but had left themselves with too much to do at the break as Galway won 0-15 to 0-12.

Waterford and Galway both finished with five points in the league, but despite Waterford having a better score difference than the tribesmen (one point), it was Galway that advanced as a result of winning the head to head between the two sides.

With the league for Waterford now over, a number of weeks had to be waited for the next competitive game.

Clare would be Waterford’s opponents in the Muster Championship opener. Waterford did not have good memories of Clare in the Provincial Championship opener. When they last met in the quarter finals (2008) Waterford were beaten by Clare. Justin McCarthy was soon removed from his position of manager, but the side would end the year playing in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final Day for the first time since 1963, but there was high hopes for Waterford.

Things did not start well for Waterford, as Clare raced into a very early lead, but Waterford came back and at the break held a deserved break with Maurice Shanahan and Seamus Prendergast playing huge rolls for Waterford.

For the second half, Waterford made changes to the teams, ones that most saw as un-necessary. Clare came back in the second half and were able to capitalise on the changes that were made for Waterford. In the end, Clare ran out winners, ending Waterford’s interest in the Munster Championship as they had done in 2008, meaning that Waterford would have to travel the scenic route if they were to reach Croke Park in September.

Waterford were drawn against Offaly in the preliminary round of games. Played in Tullamore, it was always expected to be a tough game for Waterford. For much of the game, things did prove to be tight, but in the end Waterford’s experience told out as they won 0-21 to 1-14.

The first round proper saw Waterford hit the road to the midlands once again, this time travelling to Mullingar to play Westmeath.

Waterford once again played well with Maurice Shanahan, Brian O’Sullivan, Seamus Prendergast, Jake Dillon and Kevin Moran looking impressive in front of goal for Waterford.

The final qualifier game could hardly be more unkind to Waterford as they awaited the winners of the Kilkenny and Tipperary game.

Against Kilkenny Waterford missed out on what was a great chance to beat their arch rivals from across the River Suir.

The sides had met a number of times since 1959 when Waterford last beat them in the championship. Expectations were high again for Waterford. Kilkenny in the eyes of many while they still were Kilkenny, the 2013 panel was seen to be somewhat weaker than other panels put together in the last fifteen years or so. In the eyes of many, If Waterford were going to end their long famine against their neighbours 2013 could be the year, and if this was achieved, then, for the rest of the year, anything was possible.

There was a dramatic finish to normal time in this game. The sides were level and Matthew Ruth had the ball. He put the ball over the head of Stephen O’Keeffe in the Waterford goals and as he celebrated, referee James Owens indicated that he had blown his full time whistle just before the ball was struck by Ruth.

Waterford started the game brightly despite Michael Rice missing an early chance for Kilkenny. Richie Foley gave Waterford the lead on two minutes, and seconds later Waterford’s lead was extended when Brian O’Sullivan pointed from play.

Five minutes into the game Waterford missed a chance to put Kilkenny under real pressure. Maurice Shanahan did well to feed Jamie Barron but the Fourmilewater man saw his goal bound effort saved by Eoin Murphy in the Kilkenny goal.

Kilkenny with their efforts were putting the ball wide of the uprights and it looked as though they could be made pay for it when Darragh Fives shot Waterford’s third point of the game on ten minutes.

Kilkenny hit their first score of the game on thirteen minutes when Colin Fennelly found the range and two minutes later they pulled to within one of Waterford when Richie Hogan hit a good score for the Cats.

Jamie Barron extended Waterford’s lead at the end of the first quarter and it was further extended on twenty minutes when Darragh Fives hit his second of the game.

Kilkenny however upped their game as a brace from Richie Power and Colin Fennelly with his second of the game had the sides locked together at five points each on twenty seven minutes.

Kilkenny took the lead for the first time on the half hour mark when Eoin Larkin pointed for Kilkenny put four minutes later the sides were all square when Jake Dillon pointed for Waterford, a score which was cleverly worked by Maurice Shanahan and Shane O’Sullivan.

The drama was not over however as in added time Kilkenny won a penalty. Richie Power struck from twenty metres and although it looked as though the Waterford defensive line had blocked the effort, when the Kilkenny forwards protested, the Referee checked with his umpires who confirmed that the ball did hit the back stanchion and come back into play. Kilkenny went to the dressing rooms three points up, three points Waterford did not deserve to be behind for the effort they were putting in.

Kilkenny began the second half with Richie Power again pointing, and soon afterwards brought on ‘The King’, but his introduction more spurred on Waterford more than Kilkenny.

Waterford struck back with points from Kevin Moran and Darragh Fives to leave two between the sides, but an effort from Aidan Fogarty on 45 minutes meant that there was three between the sides once more.

Seamus Prendergast who was to be named Waterford’s player of the year hit a point on 48 minutes, but it was cancelled out two minutes later with an effort from Richie Power.

Power put Kilkenny four up on 56 minutes and seconds later that lead was extended to five when Eoin Larkin pointed.

With ten minutes to play, Ray Barry pulled back a point for Waterford but it was cancelled out two minutes later when Eoin Larkin put over a free.

Waterford now hit a purple patch as Jake Dillon pointed with seven minutes to go, Ray Barry added another with four minutes to play and repeated the act again with two to play.

A brace of Kevin Moran points in added time drew Waterford level, but referee James Owens still was not ready to blow for full time, only blowing just before it looked as though that Matthew Ruth had secured victory for Kilkenny.

Kilkenny started extra time strongly. Richie Hogan pointed in the first minute and Michael Fennelly doubled Kilkenny’s lead two minutes later. Colin Fennelly, Eoin Larkin and Richie Hogan all landed points for Kilkenny without reply from Waterford which gave them a 1-17 to 0-15 advantage with seven of the first two extra ten minute periods played. Things were not looking good for Waterford.

However, you never write off Waterford. In added time in the first half of extra time Seamus Prendergast had an effort for goal stopped by Eoin Murphy but Jake Dillon was quickest to react to the breaking ball and he planted it past Murphy, meaning Waterford turned around trailing 1-17 to 1-15.

Richie Hogan gave Kilkenny a three point advantage a minute after the restart in extra time, and put his side four points up seconds later after good work by Colin Fennelly.

Having previously been taken off for Waterford, Maurice Shanahan re-joined the game midway through the second half of extra time for Waterford. He was not long on when Jamie Nagle put over a long range free to leave just three between the sides.

With two minutes to go, Waterford won a free which Maurice Shanahan struck for goal from but effort was blocked. From the rebound however, the Kilkenny defence was powerless to keep fellow Lismore Club man Ray Barry’s effort out. Waterford was level and deserved to be with just over two minutes of the game still remaining.

However, you can’t beat experience and hunger and in the time that remained, Kilkenny proved to be the hungrier of the two sides. Colin Fennelly edged Kilkenny back in front and in the 90^th minute Matthew Ruth and then Aidan Fogarty shot over points for Kilkenny to give them a three point lead to advance them to an All-Ireland quarter final meeting against Cork.

Waterford’s senior hurlers year was over for another year, a little sooner than most would have hoped and a little sooner than we have come accustomed to, but signs were there to be seen in 2013, that maybe Waterford were not as far off the mark as most would think for when it comes to winning the silverware that we here in Waterford so crave for.