A look back at Football in Waterford in 2014 – Part 2, the club scene

Have a quick look at who won what competition in football this year and few if any will be surprised, especially when it comes to the adult grade competitions.

In senior football, the big three Ballinacourty, Stradbally and The Nire were all expected to be the main contenders for the Conway Cup, while An Rinn, Kilrossanty, and Clashmore all vying for the last spot in the semi final draw with little separating the rest for the two remaining sports in the quarter finals.

In Intermediate Football, the Brickeys relegated from the senior grade at the end of 2013 were always the front runners to make swift return to the senior grade at the first attempt and in Junior Kill who were beaten in the 2013 Eastern final, who in 2014 would be stronger as they could count on the services of the Fenor players after the two clubs came together for the year just ended were always going to be the strongest team in the East of the county while Colligan, winners of the championship in the West of the county in 2013 and the defeated by Mount Sion in the county final were expected to be the strongest side.

In the senior championship, as expected 2013 champions in group one and had little difficultly getting through the league section of the competition. In their five games they averaged just over 20 points a game while conceding just under an average of 8 points a game.

Going on form in recent years An Rinn and Kilrossanty were always going to finish in the top four positions at the end of the league, the only thing to be resolved was there they would finish.

They did not disappoint finishing second and third respectfully, leaving the last remaining place in the group to be fought out between Rathgormack, Clashmore and Ardmore.

In recent years, both Rathgormack and Clashmore looked better equipped than Ardmore, and it was no surprise that the Round Tower men trying to juggle been a duel senior club again in 2014 after the sides hurlers played in the Intermediate Championship was always going to find the going tough and the fact that they were unable to call on many of the players that had served them best in recent years at different times of the year was also not a help and it was no surprise to see them finish bottom of the six team group.

This meant that the last place in the quarter finals was going to be taken by Clashmore or Rathgormack. The side from close to the East Cork border struggled to get their best team out at different times of the year early in the competition and after loosing to Rathgormack in the second round of games in the league section of the competition, the side from under the shadow of the Comeragh Mountains were going to take the final quarter spot.

In group two, the biggest issue to be resolved was who would finish one and two from The Nire and Stradbally. On the night, The Nire looked the stronger of the two sides for much of the game and although the Cove Men would serve up a late fight back, they were powerless to going under to their fierce rivals.

Group two was somewhat weaker this year than group one.

The battle for the last two quarter final spots was always going to be a hard fought one, with little separating three of the four sides east of the divisional divide down the county and Ballinameela who won the intermediate championship twice since 2009.

Ballinameela put a lot of eggs in their hurling basket this year and it was no real surprise to see their football results suffer as a result. They finished bottom of the group, their best result being a draw against Gaultier. It was no real surprise to see them relegated at the end of the competition but rest assured with the players Ballinameela are able to call upon, their stay in the Intermediate grade could be a short enough one and they will be expected to be back playing senior in 2016.

That meant the two remaining quarter final spots would rest between De La Salle, Saint Saviours and Gaultier.

The side from just off the Cork Road after many relegation struggles in recent years reached the quarter finals in 2013 and a good year for them in 2014 would be to repeat that act.

As Intermediate champions De La Salle’s main hope would be to retain their senior status in their first year playing top flight football in almost thirty years and anything else would be a bonus. For the men from the Barony, they are always expected to be there or there about when it come to the formation of the quarter final draw, but in recent years despite having some quality footballers they were struggling a little.

The mini league between the three clubs was always going to be a battle.

As things worked out De La Salle beat Saint Saviours but lost to the men from the Barony, while Saint Saviours beat the Barony men, meaning that in the three games, each side had two points from four.

The respective games between Ballinameela were now going to be the telling factor. De La Salle and Saint Saviours both beat the Western club while Gaultier failure to beat Ballinameela by two points or more cost them a place in the last eight. (the game ended in a draw).

Had Gaultier won the game by two points, it would have meant that all four would have finished on four points each and also with a score average of -10 each, meaning that a series of play-offs would have been needed to see what two advanced to the quarter finals.

The quarter final pairings saw Ballinameela play Saint Saviours for the second year in a row, Kilrossanty took on Stradbally, An Rinn played De La Salle and Rathgormack played The Nire in a cross Comeragh local derby.

When Ballinacourty played St Saviours at Carriganore in 2013 the Ballybeg men made the eventual champions fight hard for their win but this year it was all one way traffic as ‘Courty ran out 5-18 to 0-3 winners.

In one of two local derby games in the quarter finals Stradbally proved far too strong for Kilrossanty winning 1-14 to 0-6, the other local derby game saw The Nire beat Rathgormack 1-8 to 0-8 while the fourth semi final spot was taken by An Rinn who reached the semi finals for the second year in a row after a 0-18 to 0-6 win over De La Salle.

The semi final draw saw the two defeated semi finalists in 2013 paired against each other with the semi final winners in 2013, a repeat of the county final also pitted against each other.

Both semi finals proved much closer affairs than they were in 2013. Stradbally gained revenge for their county final defeat in 2013 by beating a previously unbeaten Ballinacourty 1-10 to 1-6 while the other semi final proved to be even tighter as The Nire ran out 0-10 to 0-9 winners despite not hitting any scores in the last 22 minutes of the game.

The County final proved to be one of the most enjoyable in a long number of years as The Nire beat a fancied Stradbally 0-11 to 0-6 with Conor Gleeson putting in a Man of the Match performance.

Benjie Whelan’s men went on to beat Limerick side Ballylanders in the Munster Quarter final, a fancied Cratloe side in the semi final after another enjoyable game and in the Munster Final many expected them to beat Austin Stacks at Pairc Ui Chaoimh but mistakes on the day was to cost them.

The Brickeys were always expected to be the favourites to win the Intermediate football championship in 2014 and they did not disappoint.

The win five of their six games in the league stages of the championship, their only defeat coming in their final league game against Ballinacourty’s second string team, a game that decided which of the two would top the group at the end of the league section of the competition.

The final two places in the semi finals rested between Geraldine’s, Dungarvan, Ballyduff Upper (who contested the 2013 county final), Sliabh gCua and The Nire’s second string team.

Not surprisingly, the side from Aglish took one of the semi final spots while Dungarvan took the final spot after they finished on six points from a maximum of twelve, two ahead of Ballyduff Upper and Sliabh gCua.

In the first of the two semi finals, Ballinacourty proved too strong for their near neighbours Dungarvan winning 2-15 to 0-3 while the second semi final proved to be a closer affair as Brickeys beat Geraldine’s 0-17 to 2-8.

The final saw the top two at the end of the league section of the competition do battle and it was no real surprise to see Brickeys gain some revenge for their earlier defeat between the two sides as they beat Ballinacourty 0-9 to 0-5.

In the east of the county, the competition saw the nine competing clubs split into two groups, which were won by John Mitchel’s and Portlaw who advanced to the semi finals.

The quarter finals saw Dunhill beat Newtown 1-6 to 0-8 while Bunmahon were too strong for Saint Molleran’s winning 1-11 to 0-8.

The semi finals saw the two group winners as expected prove too strong as John Mitchel’s had a 2-11 to 0-12 win over Dunhill while Portlaw beat Bunmahon 4-10 to 2-10.

In the final many expected John Mitchel’s to win but its worth while remembering that Portlaw have always produced some good footballers and they were worthy winners of the game on a 0-9 to 1-4 score line.

The county final was expected to be a cake walk for Brickeys. While they achieved that win (3-8 to 1-11) at Walsh Park, Portlaw made them work hard for it and on another day or maybe had Lady Luck shun on the Tannery Town side on the day the outcome could well have been different.

In the Munster Championship, Brickeys always faced an uphill battle against Kerry side Ardfert who won the game 1-13 to 0-7 at Fraher Field.

With so many games won in the east this year by means of a walk over, the competition could well be described as bit of a non event.

As expected, Kill proved to be the best side, winning all their games in many cases much easier than many would have liked.

Roanmore, Ferrybank and Naomh Pól were the other sides to advance to the semi finals of the competition.

In the penultimate round of games Roanmore had a 2-12 to 1-9 win over Ferrybank while Kill advanced to the final by virtue of a walk over.

In the final Kill proved too strong for Roanmore to set up a county final in which they could be seeking to move back up a grade after two years playing Junior.

In the west, the seven teams involved played a league competition with where each team finished in the league deciding at what stage you entered the knockout stages of the championship.

Neighbours Modeligo and Colligan finished one and two, Modeligo topping the group and they won the league final between the two at Bushy Park on a 3-14 to 1-11 score line.

In the first round, Shamrocks had a 6-8 to 1-6 win over Kilgobinet but they went out of the competition at the quarter final stages loosing 2-9 to 0-4 against a strong Old Parish side while at the same stage of the competition Tallow had a 3-8 to 2-6 win over Affane.

The semi finals saw Old Parish record a 3-10 to 2-12 win over Modeligo and Colligan beat Tallow 2-12 to 0-8.

The final between Old Parish and Colligan ended in a 1-9 to 1-9 draw but ‘The Shock’s’ had to thank goal keeper Aidan Power for keeping them in the game making a brilliant save at the end.

The replay proved to be a clearer cut affair as Old Parish proved too strong for the favourites and 2013 champions Colligan, winning 3-7 to 0-7.

The county final seemed to be heading the way of Kill for much of the afternoon as for 50 minutes they were without doubt the better of the two sides, but Old Parish staged a great late comeback to earn a second bite of the apple (1-8 to 2-5), but in the replay, the mid county side proved too strong for ‘The Shocks winning (5-10 to 0-7).

In the Munster championship Glin from Limerick proved too strong for Kill winning 1-8 to 0-8.

In the new Junior (Senior Attached) Championship which was run on an all county basis, two sides from the West reached the championship decider at Fraher Field. At the first attempt Ballinameela and Kilrossanty could not be separated, the game ending Ballinameela 0-12 to Kilrossanty 2-6, but in the replay Ballinameela ran out winners on a 0-9 to 0-6 score line.

In the Junior Intermediate attached competition (it must be confusing if you are not from Waterford, and maybe is confusing if you are from Waterford), Brickeys and Bunmahon reached the final where victory went to the sides from the West on a 1-6 to 0-7 score line at Walsh Park.

At underage level, in under 21 level there was a county final win for Saint Oliver’s who beat Rathgormack 2-8 to 1-10. In their respective divisional finals Saint Oliver’s and Rathgormack beat The Nire and De La Salle. In the ‘B’ Championship, the title again went west as St. Declan’s (Ardmore) had a 2-14 to 3-7 win over Saint Mary’s (East). In there respective divisional finals there were wins for Ardmore and Saint Mary’s over Cois Bhride and Kilmacthomas.

At Minor level The Nire won the ‘A’ Championship beating Stradbally 3-11 to 0-6. Ballinacourty and Dungarvan were the sides beaten in the semi finals. In the ‘B’ competition Clashmore proved too strong for Cois Brid winning 2-11 to 2-6. In the semi finals the sides had wins over Rathgormack and St. Oliver’s. In the ‘C’ competition Naomh Deagláin Thoir proved too strong for Saint Patrick’s, winning 3-10 to 0-7. Mount Sion and Affane were the defeated semi final teams.

 

County Football Final winners in 2014

County Senior Football             The Nire            0-11      Stradbally         0-6

County Intermediate Football     Brickeys           3-8        Portlaw             1-11

County Junior Football              Kill                    1-8        Old Parish         2-5

County Junior Football Replay   Kill                    5-10      Old Parish         0-7

Junior ‘Senior Attached’             Ballinameela      0-12      Kilrossanty        2-6

Junior ‘Senior Attached’ replay   Ballinameela      0-9        Kilrossanty        0-6

County U21 ‘A’ Football             Saint Oliver’s     2-8        Rathgormack    1-10

County U21 ‘B’ Football             St. Declan’s      2-14      St. Mary’s         3-7

County Minor ‘A’ Football          The Nire            3-11      Stradbally         0-6

County Minor ‘B’ Football          Clashmore        2-11      Cois Bhride       2-6

County Minor ‘C’ Football          Naomh Deagláin 3-10  St. Patrick’s        0-7

A look back at Football in Waterford during 2014 – Part 1

With some while now, I don’t buy any of the National Newspapers as regularly as I once did. When I want to see something I usually log onto one of the papers websites to find what I want, The Irish Examiner’s website often proving to be my first port of call followed by the Irish Times website.

However, if I was in town (Dungarvan) and intended to go for a cup of tea or something to eat in one of my favourite haunts in the town Tiffany’s I sometimes buy one of the tabloids, The Irish Sun or Irish Daily Mail seen as I am in already after giving some free advertising to some.

The Monday of this week (Christmas Week) was one of the occasions I did by a paper, The Irish Sun, and headed for Tiffany’s.

Reading a paper, I often start from the back, where the sport is often found. I began at the back of the paper and began to bypass eight pages of soccer and one general page of sport before I got to a double spread on the GAA.

The spread ranked the different counties that played in this year’s senior hurling and football championships. I noticed that Waterford were ranked ninth in hurling, something I would have agreed with behind, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Clare, Dublin, Galway and Wexford.

In football, I knew with no disrespect to the footballers within the county I would be wasting my time looking at the first half of the ratings to see where Waterford was placed.

I expected maybe to find them maybe in the mid twenties and when I did not see them there I was a little disappointed. When I found them and noted they were 31 of 33, with only London and New York behind them I was more than disgusted.

I don’t know how the rating for each team is worked out. I am sure that there is some formula used that is very difficult to follow. But I am constantly trying to work out why the experts are always putting Waterford football down.

As someone that has followed Waterford football with a long time now, I can vouch that there is nothing wrong with football in Waterford. All we need is for it to be given a fair chance and maybe to have a little lady luck along the way.

I was present in Fraher Field in 1988 when Waterford won a championship game againt Tipperary and I was there again in 2010 against Clare having not won any games in the years in between. I was also at many of the games between the two wins.

I was involved with the Waterford Minor Footballers in 2002 and 2003, I have attended a number of games in the last few years for The Munster Express at minor level (as well as senior), I attended many Jim Power Tournament games when I was involved with Bord na nÓg and from the games I have seen over the years I know there is talent in Waterford but it has to be given its fair chance to come to the top, starting with working with the up and coming players in development squads from under 12 and 13 upwards.

2014 was a year where the hopes were that it would be better than 2013. The league twelve months earlier was a disaster, followed by a heavy defeat in the championship against Kerry in Killarney. There was a glimmer of home with an excellent performance against Galway in the qualifiers where the tribesmen playing on their own patch needed a late surge to beat Niall Carew’s charges. At minor level there was also some hope for Waterford as they beat Limerick in the first round of the championship and then an excellent showing against Kerry in the semi finals.

In 2014 there was an improvement for Waterford in fortunes.

With the county not taking part in the McGrath Cup, the sides first competitive game of the year was not till February 2 when Clare were welcomed to Fraher Field in the first round of the league.

Twelve months earlier, Waterford beat Clare in Miltown Malbay and expectations that it would be a case of ‘Tus maith leath na hOibre’ but it was not to be, as the visitors beat Waterford 3-10 to 1-9.

Clare settled quick as Martin O’Leary blasted 1-1 inside eight minutes, but Waterford recovered well and went to the dressing rooms trailing 1-5 to 0-6.

Despite Waterford hitting an early second half point through Paul Whyte going a long period without scoring, while in between Clare added two further goals through Shane McGrath and Michael O’Shea which proved to be the decisive scores in the game.

Game two saw Waterford make the short journey to Clonmel to play Tipperary. Waterford on the day served up a much better performance than they did a week earlier.

Paul Whyte put in an excellent afternoon’s work for Waterford hitting 1-5, the goal coming late in the first half from the penalty spot after Liam Ó Lonáin was fouled, a score that helped Waterford to a 1-4 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Tipperary in the second half proved to be the better of the two sides for much of the game and ran into a 0-11 to 1-5 lead and also lost Dean Crowley with a black card. But Waterford finished the game strong and in the end got what was a deserved share of the spoils.

Game three saw Waterford again on the road, this time making the long journey north to play Antrim.

The home side throughout the game proved to be the better side with CJ McGourty accounting for ten of his side’s tally of 1-17. Waterford were once again best served by Paul Whyte who hit three points while Shane Ahearne, JJ Hutchinson and Oran Keevers all kicked one point each.

Carriganore was the setting for the game with London in Round Four. When the sides met at Ruislip twelve months earlier, the exiles won the game and the outcome in this game was the same as the visitors wearing the colours of Waterford IT ran out 2-10 to 0-9 winners.

Trailing 1-7 to 0-5 at the break, not for the first time Kilrossanty’s Paul Whyte finished top scorer in this game with six points, three of which came in the opening half. JJ Hutchinson and Shane Ahearne also landed points in the opening thirty five minutes, with the Stradbally Club man kicking another in the second.

Waterford’s first win of the year came at Fraher Field over Saint Patrick’s weekend when they beat a Leitrim side that was up to this point were impressing.

Waterford lead 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, the goal coming from Shane Ahearne with Conor Phelan, Shane Briggs and Paul Whyte also impressing.

Waterford continued to be the better side in the second half, running out 1-13 to 0-11 winners. The question now was could Waterford go on to put a string of results together and maybe make a late push for promotion.

The answer to that question was no, and Waterford’s interest in the league all but ended when they travelled to Aughrim to play Wicklow who ran out 2-14 to 0-12 winners.

Waterford for much of the game gave little or no breathing space to a Wicklow side that are often difficult to play against on their own patch.

Wicklow went to the dressing rooms at the break with a 0-8 to 0-4 lead and in the second half got the home sides advantage down to the minimum.

But two goals from Seanie Furlong with two points from Kevin Murphy sandwiched in between proved decisive as Wicklow kept their hopes of winning promotion alive.

Waterford’s last game of the league was another home game against Carlow and resulted in a 1-9 to 0-9 win for the home side, the goal coming from the impressive Liam O Lonáin.

In the Munster Championship Waterford were drawn against Clare in Ennis.

Heading into the game many were making Waterford the favourites to advance to the Munster semi final, and why wouldn’t they? Clare had beaten Waterford earlier in the year at Fraher Field in the League and won promotion to the third tier of the league a few weeks later, leaving Waterford the only Munster side left in the bottom tier of the league for 2015.

But you write off Waterford at your pearl. Waterford simply loves to be the underdog at times in a two horse race at times.

At the break in this game it looked good for Clare as they held a three point 1-5 to 1-2 advantage on the score board, Enda Coughlan rattling the Déise net with Paul Whyte hitting the Banner net.

Clare started the second half with a brace of points from Gary Brennan and Jamie Malone, but Waterford would hit back with points from Paul Whyte and Michael Curry before Liam Ó Lonáin palmed a Shane Ahearne pass to the net to level matters (1-7 to 2-4).

Tadhg Ó hUallacháin then nudged Waterford in from for the first time with a point. Clare responded by Gary Brennen hitting the Waterford net to give them a 2-8 to 2-5 lead, but Waterford finished strong with a three unanswered points, two from Shane Ahearne and the last from Paul Whyte in added time meant the sides had to head for Fraher Field to find a winner.

In the replay, the visitors proved too strong for Waterford running out winners by eight points (3-11 to 0-12) to set up a semi final against a Kerry side that would go on to win in Croke Park in September.

At the break, while Clare went to the dressing rooms with a 1-6 to 0-6 lead, the goal coming ten minutes from time from the boot of Gary Brennan proving to be the difference between the sides.

Waterford’s cause however was not helped on the day as Shane Ahearne was controversially issued with a black card after just 90 seconds of the game.

Despite the towering Stradbally mans absence, Waterford played well in the first half as Waterford ran into an early 0-5 to 0-3 lead, but as the game went on Shane Ahearn’s absence began to be felt as Gary Brennan began to influence the game. His goal after he was picked out by Shane Hickey levelled matters (0-6 to 1-3) and after that Clare were always on top.

Clare’s second goal came on 48 minutes when Gary Brennan’s effort came off the post and his brother Shane finished on the rebound to give Clare a 2-9 to 0-6 lead.

Waterford went thirty minutes without a score, a drought that was ended when Declan Allen slotted between the posts, but the score failed to ignite Waterford as Clare hit a third goal nine minutes from time when Rory Donnelly finished off an Eoin Cleary pass which ended the game as a contest.

Santa has his rounds done for 2014, but word on the ground has it that some involved with the Waterford senior football panel in 2015 have their letter written to Santa for next year and have asked for an early present, a home draw when Waterford enter the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Over the past few years, the draw has proven to be unkind to Waterford as the side has had to travel to places like Salthill, Navan and Aughrim. The draw for 2014 was a little more favourable, but still not kind, a trip to Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow to play Anthony Rainbow’s charges.

Waterford at the break held a 1-6 to 0-6 lead, the goal coming from Liam Ó Lonáin just before the break after he intercepted a Richard Mahon pass out of defence. For much of the game Waterford looked to have the upper hand over the home side and would be advancing to the next phase of the competition, as they held a five point lead at one stage, but with the wind at their backs, lead by Daniel St. Ledger, Benny Kavanagh and Darragh Foley, the home side began a fight back which spurred them on to a 0-17 to 1-13 win.

That defeat means its just one win in thirteen years in the qualifiers for Waterford, most of the games in this time were played away from home, so if letters were written to Santa who can as we know fix everything, well almost everything, asking for a favourable draw at Fraher Field you could not blame them.

On the underage scene it was more of the same for Waterford.

Nobody can fault the effort put in by the Waterford players when it comes to football. However questions have to be asked elsewhere. Ok things have improved in recent years, but we are playing catchup in Waterford for work that was not done in years gone by.

In the Minor championship this year, Waterford welcomed Tipperary to Fraher Field for the first round of the championship.

Waterford got off to a great start in this game as Young Footballer of the Year – Conor Gleeson finished to the Tipperary net with seven minutes played, but that score was powerless to them retiring at the break trailing 1-8 to 1-4, the Tipperary goal coming sixteen minutes in when Jamie Bergin struck for the first of his two goals in this game.

Conor Gleeson would hit a second goal for Waterford in the second half which was followed with points from the Stradbally pair Jack Mullaney and Michael Sweeney which gave Waterford a 2-7 to 1-9 lead, but the visitors would finish the stronger and when Jamie Bergin hit his sides second goal five minutes from time it proved to be the game changer score as Tipperary went on to win 2-11 to 2-7.

Waterford played Clare in the qualifiers at Fraher Field and what a game it proved to be, as no fewer than ten green flags were raised, six for the home side.

Waterford lead 4-4 to 1-4 at the break, with goals coming from Joe Allen after just 12 seconds, Dylan Guiry, Aaron Donnelly and Conor Prunty.

Clare fought back to level matters (4-5 to 2-8), but a Conor Prunty goal broke the visitors momentum on 42 minutes.

Two Joe Allen points followed but goals from Keelan Sexton and Evan Courtney inside sixty seconds leveled matters again.

Joe Allen would strike a sixth Waterford goal a minute from time to give Waterford a semi final spot in the competition against Cork after a 6-9 to 4-12 win.

Winning against Cork was always going to be a big task and some expected the visitors to Fraher Field to put up a cricket score, but they had to pull out all to stops to beat Waterford.

The Rebels lead 1-6 to 0-4 at the break, the goal coming from Sean O’Donoghue on seven minutes, but Waterford were unlucky to be five behind at the break as Conor Gleeson had a 23 minute penalty saved by Colm O’Driscoll.

Cork in the second half would move eight clear of Waterford but points from Joe Allen and Conor Gleeson and a Jack Mullaney goal gave the side plenty of hope.

Cork would go on to win 1-14 to 1-8 but it was a good performance from Waterford showing that there is material there to be worked with going into the future.

In the Under 21 championship, Tipperary with nine of the side that helped them to win a Minor All-Ireland in 2011 proved too strong for Waterford at Fraher Field.

The Premier men lead 0-9 to 1-0 at the break, the Waterford goal coming from David Hallahan on 23 minutes.

Ryan Donnelly added a second Waterford goal on 34 minutes getting onto the end of a Seamus Keating pass. Kevin Sheehan (2) and Gavin Nugent would also hit  points in the second half but Waterford were powerless at stopping Tipperary coasting to a 0-19 to 2-3 win.

In Junior football there was heartbreak for Waterford in Ennis. Two points each from Mark Ferncombe and Joey Veale as well as singles from Michael O’Halloran and Darren Guiry gave Waterford a 0-6 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Eoin Hanrahan gave Clare a 1-4 to 0-6 lead on 32 minutes, but Gavin Crotty cancelled out the score three minutes later.

Man of the Match Darren O’Neill hit a second Clare goal on forty minutes and it looked as though the game would end in stalemate till the same player from a free pointed on sixty minutes to give his side a 2-9 to 1-11 win.

Overall it was a disappointing year results wise for Waterford, but the material is there for Waterford to work with going into the future.

Should Waterford be ranked as low as they are in the piece referred to at the start of this piece? I don’t think it is right myself.

A Look back at Hurling in Waterford in 2014 – Part 3 (Club Scene)

When it came to the club hurling scene in Waterford in 2014, it was a year in which we expected a lot. While along the way, there were some surprises and memorable days for some clubs in the main 2014 was possibly a disappointing year for most hurling supports at a local level.

I cant really comment on whether 2014 was a good year or otherwise on the club scene as I missed out on seeing games for much of the year as a result of surgery at the end of 2013, but from speaking to those who were watching what was happening during the year it appears that the year was a disappointing one, especially at senior level.

In the lower grades, things were much more exciting as we saw clubs reach and win county finals in the autumn that would not have been favourites when the different championships began.

At senior level, 12 clubs again took part in 2014. The same number will again take part in 2015 but at the end of the year the numbers will be cut by two. This is something that many will welcome as it should make the competition a little more competitive. It remains to be seen how the ten clubs that are expected to play senior in 2016 will be got. Will three teams be dropped from the grade at the end of the 2015 championship and the Intermediate Champions promoted, or will two teams be relegated and no team promoted.

if the latter was to happen, could we see the introduction of a senior B or Premier intermediate championship be formed like in Cork and Limerick, therefore lessening the blow somewhat for the relegation of two teams as compared to one in recent years, and also making up for the fact that no team would be moving up to senior from Intermediate.

In Senior level, in group one it was no surprise that De La Salle (winners on 2008, 2010 and 2012), Passage (winners in 2013) and Abbeyside who were beaten in the 2013 semi finals all reached the 2013 championship all reached the knockout stages of the competition.

For Roanmore who have done well to retain their status in the top flight since coming up in 2010 to reach the knockout stages of the competition was going to be a tough ask.

The final place in the group to win a place in the quarter finals was expected to rest between Fourmilewater who have never won the senior Championship, who reached the semi finals in 2012, and Lismore who last won the championship in 1993 and whose best finish in recent years was a county final replay defeat to Ballygunner in 2009 at Walsh Park.

That final place in the quarter finals from group one was won by the men from the Heritage town thanks in no small part to securing a draw in the clash between the two western clubs in the last round of games in the league section of the competition.

If there was a surprise in group one it was that Fourmilewater finished bottom of the group even though they had the better score difference after they lost the head to head game with Roanmore after the two finished level on three points from a maximum of ten.

In group two of the championship, three of the six sides involved were always going to reach the knockout stages of the championship. The only thing to be decided was to find out where Ballygunner, Dungarvan and Mount Sion were to finish.

As things worked out, the sides finished as mentioned above, with Ballygunner finishing with maximum points and the side from the Old Boro finishing two points behind and two ahead of the Monastery Men.

Ardmore having come up from Intermediate at the end of 2013 were always going to be happy just to retain their senior status for 2015, meaning the last place to be decided was going to rest between neighbours Tallow an Ballyduff Upper.

The two sides from the far west of the county met in Lismore on August 8 in the third round of games, a game that the Bride-siders won 1-13 to 0-15 which effectively booked their place in the last eight of the championship.

In September the real serious stuff started as ten of the twelve clubs were engaged in knockout hurling games.

The relegation play off game saw Fourmilewater take on Ardmore. All year Ardmore suffered with losses to key players be it with injury, suspension or players moving abroad.

On the night Fourmilewater’s greater experience was a telling factor and they went on to record what was a comfortable win to secure their place for the year ahead.

In the quarter finals of the championship, De La Salle and Tallow were pitted against each other, the holders Passage took on the runners up from the previous year Dungarvan, Abbeyside and Mount Sion, the defeated semi finalists from 2013 and Lismore and Ballygunner were all pitted against each other.

From these games there was wins for De La Salle, Dungarvan, Lismore and Ballygunner.

In the semi final draws, Ballygunner were pitted with Dungarvan at Fraher Field and Mount Sion and De La Salle clashed at Walsh Park.

In the game at Walsh Park the old adage that goals win games won through as Mount Sion recorded a 2-17 to 0-16 win and at Fraher Field in a game that finished with darkness setting in fast and there was controversy as to whether the lights at the ground should be turned on or left off and who makes the call as to whether they should be used or not, Ballygunner kept their winning steak in tact winning 0-17 to 1-12.

The final was played at Walsh Park in mid October and proved to be a disappointing affair as Mount Sion who had impressed in games running up to the decider failed to bring that form into the game and ‘The Gunners’ easily won a thirteen county final, winning on a 2-16 to 0-9 score line.

Ballygunner as a result of the win represented Waterford in the Munster Club Championship but had to settle for second best against a strong Cratloe side in the quarter finals at Walsh Park.

The Intermediate Championship as in recent years proved to be a lottery. In both division’s there was a number of sides who were fancied to go on to represent the county in Munster.

The west saw an emerging Ballinameela win group one with six points from a possible eight, their only loss coming at the hands of 2013 West, County and Munster junior champions Ballysaggart in round one on a 2-18 to 4-11 score line.

Top spot after the league section of the competition gave them an automatic place in the semi finals, with the two quarter final places from group one taken by Ballysaggart who lost three points from their maximum of eight and Stradbally who beat Shamrocks in the last league game to secure the spot. The Knockanore side went into that game in third place and only needed to avoid defeat and they would be playing knockout hurling.

As a result of Stradbally’s win, Clashmore who were amongst the favourites to win the title finished bottom of the pile and were relegated as a result, but there could be some good news for them to come on that front yet.

In group two, Cappoquin, Brickeys and An Rinn al finished level on six points from a maximum of eight.

Cappoquin topped the group on score difference over the other two, with Brickeys finishing above An Rinn who were regarded as favourites by many to head back up to senior after loosing their status after just one year.

Tourin would finish fourth in the group and Abbeyside’s second string XV would finish bottom of the group loosing all four of their games.

An Rinn proved too strong for Ballysaggart in the quarter finals, having nine points to spare, while Brickeys needed two attempts to beat Stradbally, drawing 1-22 to 3-16  before advancing to the last four after a 3-11 to 3-7 replay win.

In the semi finals, Cappoquin proved too strong for An Rinn who beat them in the league stages of the competition. The Corner-stone men won on a 2-12 to 1-12 margin, while the second semi final in a local derby game Ballinameela proved too strong for Brickeys winning on a 5-11 to 1-12 score-line.

The Western final was another local derby side. Both sides were very familiar with each other as both sets of players would have played a lot of hurling together in the past. Cappoquin would run out winners in a tight game on a 2-15 to 2-13 score line at Fraher Field.

In the east, things proved to be just as tight as they were in the west.

In group one, just one point separated Clonea, Ballygunner and Dunhill after each side played five games, Clonea and Ballygunner finishing on eight points each from ten, while St. Molleran’s took the last quarter final spot from the group with three points from their five games.

Mount Sion finished bottom of the pile on score difference over Butlerstown after the two sides finished on two points each, and the sides drawing the clash between the two.

In group two Erin’s Own topped the group with eight points from ten, followed by Ferrybank who finished one point behind, with Portlaw and Saint Saviours finishing level on six points each to secure the last two quarter final spots, the Tannery side finishing in the higher place after they beat the side from the outskirts of the city 3-19 to 4-14 in the league section of the competition.

De La Salle would finish in fifth place finishing on three points after drawing with Ferrybank and Tramore who finished bottom of the pile with no win, after they were promoted from in a break from the normal were promoted from the junior grade without winning the county final the previous year.

Mount Sion won the relegation play off beating Tramore 2-16 to 0-15 at Kill.

In the quarter finals, Ballygunner beat Portlaw 0-17 to 0-16 at Walsh Park, Erin’s Own comprehensively beat St Molleran’s 3-18 to 0-4, Ferrybank beat Dunhill 3-11 to 0-17 all at the Keane’s Road venue while in Kill Saint Saviours beat a fancied Clonea side 4-10 to 2-13.

In the semi finals, Saint Saviours won a local derby game 2-15 to 2-14 against Erin’s Own at Walsh Park while Ballygunner proved too strong for Ferrybank at the same venue winning 2-14 to 0-14.

In the Final Saint Saviours beat Ballygunner 1-19 to 2-12 at Walsh Park.

In the County Final Cappoquin finished stronger against Saint Saviours to win a first Intermediate county final since 1976. The Corner stone men would go on to beat Clare Champions Feakle in the Munster Semi Final after getting a quarter final bye after the Tipperary championship was not complete on time and in the final The Corner-stone boys again beat fancied opposition in Limerick champions Bruff to set up an All-Ireland semi final against O’Donovan Rossa from Antrim in the New Year.

The Junior championship in both divisions this year can only be called a farce due to a lack on numbers involved. Five clubs took part in the east and four in the west.

In the east of the county, Bunmahon, Ballydurn, Fenor and Ballyduff Lower all qualified for the semi finals, with Naomh Pol finishing bottom loosing all four games.

In the semi finals, both proved to be very close. Fenor beat Ballydurn 0-18 to 0-17 while Bunmahon beat Ballyduff Lower 1-8 to 0-8.

Fenor were favourites to win the title, but as we all know, goals can often win games, and in the Final Bunmahon raised two green flags to win on a 2-7 to 0-9 score line.

In the West of the county, Modeligo topped the table with seven points after the group stages to win an automatic place in the divisional decider. Saint Mary’s finished bottom of the four sides, on two points, while Colligan and Geraldine’s finished in the mid table spots so contested the semi final spot which Colligan won 0-12 to 0-11.

In the final, Modeligo finished winners on a 1-19 to 0-11 score line meaning The Rockies finished as the runners up for the second year in a row.

In the County Final, Modeligo proved too strong for Bunmahon at Fraher Field, winning comfortably and went on to beat Limerick side Feohanagh-Castlemahon in the Munster Semi Final and then a fancied Castlemartyr from Cork in the final at Mallow. They now play British Champions Fulhan Gaels in the All-Ireland quarter finals at Birmingham in the new year with the winners playing Castleblayney from Monaghan in the semi final at the end of January.

In the Junior Senior attached hurling championship, Passage, Clonea, Roanmore and Mount Sion advanced to the semi finals in the East of the county.

Clonea beat Roanmore 1-16 to 0-9 and Passage proved too strong for Mount Sion winning 3-19 to 1-5 in the semi finals and in the final Clonea won a close battle on a 1-17 to 1-15 score line at Walsh Park.

In the West, Ballyduff Upper, Dungarvan, Lismore and Fourmilewater all reached the last four.

Ballyduff Upper beat Tallow 2-14 to 1-14 and Dungarvan beat Lismore 4-13 to 4-11 in the semi finals and in the final Ballyduff Upper beat the Old Boro 1-14 to 1-12.

In the County Final, Clonea proved too strong from the side which borders the North Cork border at Fraher Field.

In the Junior ‘Intermediate’ attached competition Dunhill and Erin’s Own finished in the top two positions to book a place in the semi finals.

In the Quarter Finals, Dunhill beat Tramore 3-18 to 2-12 while Ferrybank proved too strong for Butlerstown 0-13 to 0-7.

In the semi finals Erin’s Own beat Ferrybank 1-11 to 1-10 and Dunhill beat Portlaw 5-13 to 2-8. The final saw Dunhill beat Erin’s Own 0-18 to 2-5 at Walsh Park.

In the west, the competition was played in two groups. Glen Rovers won group one with maximum points from their five games to book a place in the semi final. The two available quarter final places in group one were taken by Clashmore and Shamrocks.

Kilgobinet won group two again with maximum points to book an automatic semi final spot while Abbeyside and Ballysaggart took the quarter final spots in group two.

In the quarter finals, Abbeyside proved too strong for An Rinn winning 1-17 to 1-10 while Clashmore beat Ballysaggart 3-10 to 0-10.

In the semi finals, Kilgobinet beat Abbeyside 1-12 to 0-11and in the other semi final Glen Rovers and Clashmore drew 2-9 to 1-12 before Clashmore won the replay 0-20 to 1-16.

In the western final Kilgobinet beat Clashmore 3-10 to 1-12.

The County Final saw Kilgobinet beat Dunhill at Fraher Field with one point to spare. The final score was 2-12 to 2-11.

 

Senior Hurling County Final                 Ballygunner  2-16    Mount Sion   0-9

Intermediate Hurling County Final        Cappoquin    2-19    St Saviours   2-11

Junior Hurling County Final                 Modeligo        2-25    Bunmahon    0-8

Junior ‘Senior Attached Co. Final        Clonea           2-17    Ballyduff        2-6

Junior ‘Inter Attached Co. Final            Kilgobinet      2-12    Dunhill           2-11

Under 21 ‘A’ County Final                    Ballygunner  2-12    Dungarvan    0-11

Under 21 ‘B’ County Final                    An Gaeltacht 3-12    Tramore         0-7

Minor ‘A’ County Final                         Dungarvan    1-13    De La Salle   0-13

Minor ‘B’ County Final                         Abbeyside     1-16    Glenshelane 4-4

Minor ‘C’ County Final                         Fourmilewater 1-14 Naomh Brid   1-14

Minor ‘C’ County Final Replay              Fourmilewater 0-14 Naomh Brid   1-10