Waterford - A Hurling review (Part 2).

To most, it is how a counties senior team finish the championship that determines whether it was in fact a good year or otherwise.

However, how a counties underage team fairs during the course of the year is just as important. It could be said even that it is more important. After all if a county is not producing good underage teams and teams that play under the senior team, what chance do you have going forward.

Underage success does not always mean success will follow at adult level, but it is a help. In Waterford over the past number of years, we can proudly claim that we are producing some good underage players, playing on good underage teams, which all goes well (hopefully) as we look to the future.

2013 was a great year for minor hurling in Waterford. Prior to September of this year, Waterford had not lifted the Irish Press Cup in Croke Park since 1948, a team that contained a number of players that went on to play in Senior Munster Finals over the following decade and a quarter, winning and going on to contest the All-Ireland Finals of 1957, 1959 and 1963, winning the 1959 All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny after a replay.

For Waterford to win the All-Ireland was not an easy task. To do so they had to go on the longest journey in recent years and even possibly the longest journey ever. It stretched to eight games with extra time needed along the way.

The journey began with a game against Tipperary at Walsh Park. It was a game where Waterford began brightly racing into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead with Patrick Curran playing a key role.

However, Tipperary were to finish the half the stronger of the two sides, heading to the dressing rooms leading 1-10 to 1-9.

In the second half, Tipperary proved to be the better of the two sides with Josh Keane proving to be a thorn in the side of the Waterford defence, hitting 2-9 as his side ran out 2-18 to 1-15 winners.

Waterford’s defeat meant it the scenic route to Croke Park.

Clare were next up for Waterford. The Banner Men had put up a good showing against Cork in the opening round of games and were expected to provide stiff opposition for Waterford who nominated Fraher Field as the venue for a home game this time around as there was fears that if the game needed extra time, with no lighting at Walsh Park, the game could not be completed.

The game with Clare was called off at very short notice as strong winds blew across West Waterford on the night of the game, resulting in the referee deciding that it would be unwise and unsafe to start the game.

The two sides returned to Fraher Field in May for a re-fixture. On the night Waterford proved too strong for Clare, putting in a powerful second half performance to win 4-18 to 1-0, Stephen Bennett, Cormac Curran and Conor Gleeson rattling the Clare net to set up a semi final against Cork.

It was off to Pairc Ui Rinn for the semi final. At underage levels (minor and under 21) Waterford had never beaten a Cork side on Rebel soil. Early in the game this statistic looked as if it would remain in tact, but the thing about such statistics is that they have to end sometime.

Cork had a tonic start. They hit 1-7 in the opening eighteen minutes of the game and while Waterford did manage to come more back into the game in the closing minutes of the half, Cork went to the dressing rooms holding a 1-7 to 0-4 advantage.

If Cork had a tonic start to the first half, it was Waterford that had it in the second half as Colm Roche and Stephen Bennett crashed early second half goals.

The reminder of the game proved to be a humdinger with the ball travelling from end to end and it was no surprise that the game ended in a draw (2-12 to 1-15).

As in the original 60 minutes, it was Cork that opened extra time the brighter of the two sides and after the first extra ten minute periods, they held a 1-18 to 2-14 advantage. However, the Rebels cause was not helped by the fact that wing back Alan O’Callaghan was sent off in extra time after collecting a second yellow card.

How fair this was however is questionable. A side that have a player dismissed in normal time can have him replaced for extra time. Sometimes it makes you wonder if this can be done, could a rule be introduced whereby any player that picks up a booking in the original sixty (or in the case of senior 70 minutes) not have the booking knocked off for extra time. What is considered to be good for the goose should be considered good for the gander. If you are not penalising a team who have a player sent off for the whole game, by allowing them to replace him for extra time (which some consider to be a new game) then should not bookings collected in normal time be scrapped as well.

In the second half of extra time, as the players on both sides grew tired, Waterford with its numerical advantage were able to exert extra pressure on Cork and when DJ Foran struck a third Waterford goal there was only going to be one outcome to the game.

Waterford’s opponents in the Munster Final were Limerick who shocked a fancied Tipperary side in the semi finals.

The game was played at the Gaelic Grounds, ensuring that with Limerick also involved in the senior final, there was going to be a huge local support in attendance.

Both sides really gave it their all, and with time almost up, Waterford looked as though they had one hand on the trophy, but Limerick put in a storming finish and in the end, the two sides had to share for a share of the spoils.

The replay took place in Thurles. Limerick had a great start to this game, but Waterford’s ability to strike goals brought them back into contention and at one point in the second half it looked as though victory was going to go to Waterford, but for the second game running, Limerick put in a magnificent finish, and ran out winners on a 1-20 to 4-8 score line.

They say there is no rest for the wicket and there was no rest for Waterford either. The replayed game with Limerick was played on a Tuesday and the following Sunday Waterford were back on the road, travelling to Ashbourne to play Antrim in the quarter finals.

Antrim proved to be no real match for Waterford. Sean Power’s charges ran out easy winners 4-20 to 1-9 in a game which ended prematurely following a long delay for the arrival of an Ambulance to remove Antrim full forward Jude McCurdy to hospital after an accidental blow to the neck.

The semi final against Kilkenny proved to be another epic.

Both sides went into the game fancying their chances. While Waterford came out on top, it was a game that could just as easily be lost.

Waterford should have known about Alan Murphy heading into the game. All year long, he disciplined team teams for any indiscipline that they showed, and he did so again in this game putting over ten frees, but Waterford’s ability to strike for goals (DJ Foran and Adam Farrell) saw Waterford advance to the All-Ireland Final for the first time since 1992 winning 2-12 to 0-16.

And so we reach September 8, 2013 the date that many in Waterford will not forget for sometime to come.

After much debate, it was finally confirmed in the days leading up to the final that Waterford’s opponents would be Galway. Much debate had taken place since the semi final between Galway and Limerick as to whether Limerick should have won the game, be awarded the game or at the very least be awarded a rematch.

The controversy came about as a result of hawk-eye, something that I have had doubts about since it was announced that the GAA would be using it this year, as I believe that human error should never be removed from the game, be it that it goes for or against you.

Waterford and Galway took to the field 21 years after they did so in 1992. On that day Galway won, and since then they have dominated the minor championship, contesting 14 finals since 1992, and the manager of the Tribes-men in 1992 Mattie Murphy was in charge again in 2013 as he set out to win his seventh title as Galway Manager.

Waterford settled very early in the game, going two points up with two minutes on the clock, Patrick Curran twice putting over for Waterford, both from frees, the first a close range one, the latter one from his sides end of the field.

Galway pulled a point back on four minutes when Brian Molloy put over a close in free. It was quickly followed by an effort from Stephen Bennett who’s effort in turn was cancelled out by a Darragh Dolan effort.

By the ninth minute the sides were level as Conor Whelan put over a point and two minutes later, Galway were in front after Adrian Morrissey put over a well executed side line cut.

Waterford in the middle of the first half would hit a purple patch as Patrick Curran put over a free which was followed with a brace from Colm Roche before Patrick Curran put over a ’65 and Michael Kearney from play pointed which gave Waterford a 0-8 to -4 advantage with 19 minutes played.

Patrick Curran and Ronan O’Meara swapped scored to keep four between the sides, with eight minutes remaining on the clock for the first half.

Patrick Curran again pointed for Waterford put the effort was cancelled out by an effort from Darragh Doyle.

Two Ronan O’Meara points brought Galway right back into the game but Stephen Bennett put over an excellent score to put three between the sides with two minutes still remaining.

In added time both sides notched one further score a piece. Darragh Dolan pointed for Galway but it was cancelled out by a DJ Foran effort which gave Waterford a 0-12 to 0-9 advantage as the sides made for the exit to the dressing rooms under the Cusack Stand.

Waterford began the second half as they did in the game with Cork with the sides from the off trying their luck for goal. Stephen Bennett had an excellent chance but Cathal Tuohy in the Galway goal was equal to it, making a good save but from the rebound Michael Kearney split the posts.

Patrick Curran and Brian Molloy swap scores from frees to keep four between the sides with as many minutes of the second half played.

Brian Molloy from a free and Ronan O’Meara add points for Galway to leave two between the sides with eleven minutes of the second half played. Brian Burke puts over another point for Galway which was cancelled out by one from Michael Kearney, however Galway were to go straight back down to the other end of the field and Brian Molloy added two further points to leave one in it once more to level matters.

Galway was now on a bit of a role and it was important that Waterford would score next or the game could slip away.

With nine minutes of the game remaining, Tom Devine struck a magnificent score from almost sixty metres to give Waterford the lead once more. The score not just lit up the Waterford support within the ground, but it also gave the team a massive boost.

Cormac Curran and Colm Roche landed scores for Waterford to stretch Waterford’s lead with six minutes remaining.

Michael Kearney added another Waterford point before Patrick Curran struck the games only goal. Stephen Bennett added a brace of late scores and while Galway added a late point, the needed a lot more and there was not enough time to stop Waterford winning what was only a third All-Ireland title at this grade.

While much credit will go to the Minors this year on their success and to a lesser extent to the seniors for performing much better than most expected them to, it could be easy to forget that Waterford had other teams involved this year, all who play a part in forming a senior panel in the future.

At both Intermediate and Under 21 levels Waterford lost to Clare. In Intermediate, fielding what was almost an under 21 team minus a few players from the senior panel at Ennis, Waterford went under to Clare on a 2-21 to 0-16 and while the under 21 team put up a better performance, but still had to settle for second best against a strong Clare outfit at Walsh Park on a 2-15 to 0-17 score line.

Waterford also had teams involved in tournaments from under 14 to under 17 levels. (Different sources were not able to provide me with the counties best results in each competition).

These competitions also play a vital role towards putting in place a plan for the future and give us an indication of where we are going. They also give us to see who the stars of Waterford hurling will be in the future as the players involved hope to emulate the likes of John Mullane, Tony Browne, Paul Flynn, Ken McGrath, Dan Shanahan who before making a name for themselves on the national scene played in such tournaments.

The colleges competitions also play a vital role in the development of players for the future, with many of the best college players each year going on to make a name for themselves in the years ahead.

This year, there was celebration in the double on the colleges hurling scene in Waterford as Dungarvan Colleges retained the Harty Cup that they won in 2011/12, beating Our Lady’s from Templemore in the final this time round and went on to beat Saint Kieran’s College and Kilkenny CBS in the semi finals and finals to add the Dr Croke Cup to the Dr Harty Cup.

In the Munster ‘B’ Competition, Dungarvan CBS reached the final for the fourth year in a row, winning it for the second time accounting for St Joseph’s from Tulla (Co Clare) in the final after extra time.

In the quarter Finals Colaiste Dun Iascaigh from Cahir were easily beaten at Touraneena, and in the semi finals Heywood Community School had to settle for second best after extra time against a powerful Dungarvan CBS team in Carlow Town.

In the final St Mary’s from Belfast were Dungarvan CBS opponents. On the day Dungarvan CBS received a great deal of support. The Co Antrim side were no match for Dungarvan CBS who ran out 3-18 to 1-5 winners.

A fair deal of work has been carried out to develop Waterford hurling in recent years. The rewards are now beginning to be seen, but a great deal continues to be done. Having won two colleges Munster Finals and two Colleges All-Irelands and a Minor All-Ireland Final shows that the work is been put in, but it would be foolish now to rest on our laurels, something I doubt anybody will allow happen.  

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.

Football in Waterford in 2013 - a review

It’s hard to know where football is in Waterford at this point. There can be no disputing that there is talent within the county, but getting results for some reason seem to be a problem.

For anyone to fault those that play football at a serious level within the county would be wrong. These people have worked very hard to keep the game ticking over in Waterford and they deserve great praise for doing so.

Attendances for many games are not great. For most senior inter county games there may be a few hundred people at a game to see Waterford play. For underage games, this figure can be revised downward somewhat, and when it comes to club football in the county, attendances at some games are very poor.

Questions have to be asked from the top down as to why games are so poorly attended. In the National league, for example Waterford plays in Division four. Patrons attending a game in Fraher Field are expected to pay the same amount to see Waterford play London or Carlow as what supporters of Dublin and Kerry would be asked to pay when there sides meet at Croke Park or Fitzgerald Stadium. Across channel in another sporting code, Manchester City and Liverpool play today in the biggest Premiership game of the day. I don’t know what supporters paid to get into the Etihad Stadium, but supports of Morecambe and Fleetwood, two sides fighting for promotion near the top of League Two would not have paid the same.

When it comes to games played locally, would it be worth a try at least halving what is charged to go into games and maybe as a result getting two or three people in for every one that goes to games now.

The year just ended in Waterford is another disappointing one when it comes to Football, but there were signs that maybe better things could be around the corner.

2013 began well for Waterford. Playing catch up on the rest, new manager Niall Carew wasted no time in putting together a strong panel, including some of the good young players that were coming through and for this he was not afraid to look below the senior grade for new players.

In the McGrath Cup, Waterford opened with an extra time win over UL in the Quarter Final stages of the competition, but bowed out at the semi finals where they lost to Tipperary after extra time.

The National League began brightly for Waterford with wins over Clare and then Tipperary, but disaster soon followed as defeats to Limerick, London, Leitrim and Offaly followed in the next four games.

However, Waterford rounded off the league with a good win away to Carlow.

The draw for the 2013 Munster Championship was far from kind for Waterford. Tipperary were drawn away to Kerry with Waterford awaiting the winners.

Great progress has been made with football in Tipperary in recent years. Underage success at Minor and Under 21 are just rewards for the work but in, but expecting them to beat Kerry who had a disappointing league campaign was always a tough task, and it was no surprise that Kerry did win the game rather easily.

Waterford travelled to Killarney a week later, and again the home side ran out convincing 4-21 to 1-4 winners.

In the qualifiers, Waterford were paired with Galway in the second round, after the tribesmen had a hard fought win over Tipperary in the first round.

Those that follow football will know that on a given day little separates Waterford and Tipperary and after the Premier County’s side performance against Galway, Waterford were in with a major shout of what many would call a shock result.

Waterford in this game really put it up to Galway on their own home soil, and with time running down, it looked as if that ‘shock result’ was going to be on the cards.

However, the home side put in a strong final few minutes of the game and in the end ran out one point winners, meaning that Waterford’s inter county season was over for another year.

The wins that Kerry recorded in the Munster Championship over Tipperary and then Waterford had people asking questions. Do counties like Tipperary and Waterford have future when it comes to football? Would counties like Tipperary and Waterford be better off playing in a Senior ‘B’ Championship, and let the stronger counties fight it out for the Sam Maguire each year? Should the Munster Championship revert back to a seeded draw, with the sides that played in the previous years Munster Final (most often than not Cork and Kerry) kept apart in the draw, meaning that it was most likely that the two would meet in the final again and again for some time to come.

Well the players of the four so called weaker counties let their feeling be known about the seeded draw by boycotting this year’s McGrath Cup.

Does anything be gotten in the long run by being on the wrong end of a heavy defeat by the likes of Kerry or Cork? In the long term it could do more damage than good, as there is a chance that younger players seeing Waterford suffer such defeats might decide that they will not play football as they grow older.

Would the four so called weaker counties be better off playing in a round robin competition, with the top two teams after three games advancing to the Munster Semi Finals where the fixtures would be made by an open draw? However, with the four sides regularly meeting in the national league, is there any purpose in them meeting again in another league during April or May, and would such a competition impact on the club championships meaning that less weekends are available for club games.

In Junior Football, Waterford had an extra time win over Tipperary in the semi finals. The game was played in Killarney which is something that the Munster Council might have to look at going into the future.

Waterford had two teams travelling to Killarney on the day, but what was to be got from bringing Tipperary all the way to Killarney for the second week running. Ok, the Munster Council are playing Junior games with Senior games, giving them reason to charge the maximum to get into games, but where the home team in the senior game are not involved in the junior game, would they be better off leaving the two sides due to play at a home and away venue to one side, as close to the county boundary as is possible where a field up to the required standard can be found.

Waterford’s extra time win set up a Munster Final against a very strong Cork side at Fraher Field and it was no surprise that the visiting side ran out easy winners on a 1-18 to 0-9 score line.

In under 21 Waterford were beaten 1-17 to 0-9 against Tipperary in Thurles and in Minor, despite little preparation, Waterford were able to beat Limerick in Fraher Field on a 3-10 to 3-9 score line which set up a semi final against Kerry, who were expected to prove too strong for Waterford in Killarney, and although they won, Waterford made life very difficult for the home side, loosing 1-15 to 2-6, but finished the game with fourteen having had a player sent off early in the second half after collecting a second yellow card and also missing a second half penalty.

A number of players that were involved with the minors this year were part of the Saint Augustine’s College team that won the Munster ‘C’ Senior Colleges football final and went on to beat Strokestown from Roscommon in the All-Ireland Final.

The win might be a ‘C’ Final in the eyes of some, and the standard may be off that set by the stronger Football sides, but a win is a win, it shows that there is talent coming through, giving those that labour hard to promote football in the county hope, which is something that we should never give up on.

In the club championships, the big three of Stradbally, Ballinacourty and The Nire were expected to reach the semi finals of the senior championship with a number of clubs contesting hard for the final semi final spot.

Unsurprisingly this is exactly what happened. Stradbally and Ballinacourty topped their respective groups with ten points from their five games.

The Nire as expected joined them in the semi finals, loosing three points in their five league games.  This year it was An Rinn that reached the semi finals. They are pushing for a place in the last four with a number of years, and it was no surprise that they reached the penultimate round of the competition this year.

 Along with Stradbally in group one, Clashmore and Kilrossanty advanced to the knockout stages of the competition. There was somewhat a surprize in this group as the final place in the quarter finals was taken by Saint Saviours, with Ardmore and Gaultier missing out.

The fact that the Ballybeg based outfit reached the knockout stages however was hardly a surprise. Although they have flirted with relegation over the past few years, they have shown that on a day, they can be as good as anyone else. They were helped this year with some transfers from Roanmore.

Having reached the knockout stages of the competition, there sites over the next couple of years should be to reach the same stage of the competition.

In group two along with Ballinacourty, The Nire and An Rinn, last years Intermediate champions Ballinameela reached the knockout stages, with Rathgormack and Brickeys missing out on a knockout spot.

In the quarter finals, Stradbally proved too strong for Ballinameela, An Rinn beat Clashmore, Ballinacourty finished very strong to beat Saint Saviours and in the game of the year for the second year running, The Nire beat Kilrossanty.

In the semi finals, the two only unbeaten sides were kept apart. Stradbally took on An Rinn and Ballinacourty played The Nire. The two games were rather one side with Stradbally winning by 21 points while three clear goals separated Ballinacourty from The Nire.

In the county final, from the off, Ballinacourty were always the hungrier of the two sides and it was no surprise to see them loft the Conway Cup into the air from the centre of the Stand at Fraher Field after the game.

In the Munster Championship, they beat Limerick champions Dromcollogher-Broadford in the quarter finals but lost out to Clare champions Cratloe in the semi finals.

In intermediate, De La Salle won the Eastern Final for the second year in a row beating John Mitchell’s in the final. In the west, Ballyduff Upper came out on top after they beat The Geraldine’s in the final. In the county decider, it was De La Salle who emerged on top. In the Munster Championship two attempts were needed against the Tipperary Champions Ballyporeen before the South Tipp side emerged to the semi final stages of the competition.

In Junior, Mount Sion for the third time in four years won the Eastern Final. They proved too strong for Kill in the final while in the west of the county it was Colligan that proved strongest beating Shamrocks in the final. In the County final, Mount Sion made up for two previous disappointments beating Colligan 2-9 to 0-9 at Fraher Field. In the Munster Championship however they had to give second best to a strong Keel side from Kerry at the semi final stages of the competition.

In the second string junior championships, we have what we have what we can only describe as farcical competitions, and you cant but wonder as some clubs are thinking is it time to revert back to Junior A and Junior B Competitions.

In the west, three Intermediate clubs fought out a ‘Junior Attached’ Competition, while in the senior clubs from the west of the county fought out a ‘Senior Attached’ Competition. In the east, because of a lack of senior clubs, all junior second string sides fought one competition between them.

The end result was that Saint Saviours came out on top in the competition in the east of the county beating De La Salle in the final.

In the west, Dungarvan came out on top in the competition for the Intermediate second string sides which included Melleray’s first choice team. Saint Saviours and Dungarvan (senior and intermediate second string sides) clashed in the county final where Saint Saviours came out on top.

Kilrossanty won the Western ‘Senior Attached’ competition but there was no opposition available to play them in the county final.

In under 21, Rathgormack won the Eastern final beating Tramore in the final while in the West Ballinacourty proved too strong for Saint Oliver’s having a goal to spare. In the county final, Rathgormack emerged victors over Ballinacourty winning 1-8 to 0-5.

In the ‘B’ Championship, the Nire were winners in the West, beating Ardmore 4-16 to 1-8 in the final while in the east, Saint Mary’s beat Portlaw in the final on a 1-10 to 1-7 score line but had to give second best to The Nire in the County Final who won 1-17 to 1-2.

In Minor football championship Dungarvan had a massive 6-11 to 0-9 win over The Nire in the Division One final, in Division two Brickeys had a 0-12 to 1-7 win over Stradbally and in division three An Gaeltacht beat Saint Mary’s.

A great Christmas Stocking Filler

It less than two weeks to Christmas Day and that means one thing. If it has not happened already it will in a coming days, a number of new books are about to hit the book shops. These books will prove to be of interest to many people with many interests, but sports books in particular usually are popular at this time of the year.

One book to hit the bookshelves in the last day or two was the Waterford G.A.A. Yearbook. There was a time (back in the good days), when a year book could be brought out every year and business people would gladly pay for much if not all the cost of printing the book.

In these harder times, to bring out a year book could well prove to be much more difficult, but with the year that was in it, it would have been a major oversight of the County Communications and publications committee not to have officially recorded the happenings of the year just about to end.

The committee under the chairmanship (chairwomanship may not be a proper word, no doubt someone will tell me) of County Board PRO Emer Barry, have not only recorded the years activities, but they have done so with some considerable style.

The year book as in previous years under other PRO’s is once again a top class publication with almost every aspect of the GAA within the county covered.

Former Irish Examiner Journalist Jim O’Sullivan looks back on Waterford’s mixed look in hurling over the past fifty years or so, while he also pays a glowing tribute to his colleague with the Irish Examiner Johnny Murphy who died during the course of the year. Johnny reported for many papers most notably the Dungarvan Observer and the Waterford News and Star. Johnny as everyone knows was a real character and is missed by all who had the pleasure of sharing his company over the years.

The GAA in Waterford also lost Tony Mansfield and Seamus O’Brien also during the course of the year and tributes are also paid to the two men.

Every year on All-Ireland Final Day, a team from the past that won an All-Ireland Final are honoured by the GAA and are introduced to the 80,000 plus that are in Croke Park on the day. This year, the GAA did something different and honoured men who played inter county hurling in the past twenty-five plus years that never won an All-Ireland. Three Waterford men were picked in the final selection, John Galvin, Jim Greene and Mossie Walsh, and an interesting article on the selected team is also included.

Twenty-one years after Waterford won the Under 21 All-Ireland Final, beating Offaly after a replay, the Waterford News and Star’s Phil Fanning who was involved with the team looks back on the win. Phil also has an article on Frankie Walsh, Waterford’s Captain in 1959 included in the publication.

In another connection with the under 21 win, for those that were unable to be in Nolan Park for the games against Offaly, Kieran O’Connor relayed the action into the homes of Waterford supports that had their Radio tuned into one of WLR’s frequencies. Twenty-one years on, Kieran is still the stations number one commentator and an article on him compiled by The Munster Express’s Dermot Keyes.

Divisional PRO’s (for 2013) John Sheehan and Richard Tobin looks back on what was a successful year for both divisions, Tomás McCarthy and Irial Mac Murchú looks back at An Rinn’s successful hosting of the Cómortas Peile na Gaeltachta over the past June Bank Holiday weekend, while Gavin Whelan looks back on activities within Bord na nÓg, Liam Cheasty looks back at the City Leagues, and Eoin Breathnach reports on the activities within the Coaching and Games Development Committee. Reports from the Handball, Cumann na mBunscoil, Town and Country Leagues, the Tony Forristal and Handball Boards are also included.

The Ladies are thankfully not forgotten about. Tim McEnery, the PRO of the County Camogie Board gives a detailed account on what happened within the county over the past twelve months, Lismore’s hat-trick of Munster Titles is also reported on, while Waterford’s memorable year in Ladies Football is also reported upon.

The sports editor of the Waterford News and Star Ger Lawton looks back on how Passage won a first ever County Senior Hurling Final. Passage Club PRO Fintan Walsh also looks back on the events that happened after that famous win, while RTE’s Damien Tiernan tells us what it was like in Passage on the big day.

The Munster Express’ Dermot Keyes and Brian Flannery report on Waterford’s hurling Championship year, while TG4 and the Dungarvan Leader’s Mac Dara Mac Donnacha reports on the league, while senior Managers in 2013 Michael Ryan and Niall Carew also have articles included.

Of Course 2013 could not be recorded without mention of the Minor Hurling team. Sean Power, Tomás McCarthy and Michael Drislane have comprehensive coverage on how Waterford won the All-Ireland this year.

If the Minor Hurling All-Ireland win was the highlight of the year for many, the performances of Dungarvan CBS, Saint Augustine’s College and Dungarvan College’s are up there with it and are just as important to the County as the Minor’s fantastic win. How Dungarvan CBS, Saint Augustine’s and both combined won three Munster and All-Ireland Finals are also recorded.

John Jackson pays tribute to Jimmy O’Gorman, the WLR/Grandville Hotel winners are previewed and the activities within Scor are also reported on in the Yearbook.

The above is just some of what is included in this year’s Yearbook. Hopefully, it with wet the appetite of readers here and that they will spread the word.

Great credit has to go to County PRO Emer Barry and her Committee for their efforts. To put together such a publication is not an easy task. Lots of time and effort goes into it. Hopefully their efforts will be well received. While money is tight with everyone, priced at €10 the publication is very reasonable. we could do worse with the money we have than to exchange it for the book, and in doing so, remember what we have heard many times down through our years, that a book is one of the best things you can give to anyone (even yourself).

Waterford GAA Yearbook currently available at the following outlets.

O'Gorman's Newsagents - Lismore
An Siopa Nua - Clashmore
Hurley's - Aglish
Johnny McGrath's - Beary's Cross Touraneena
David Walsh's - Dungarvan.
The Book Centre - Waterford City
Other Venues to be added as they become known