Senior Football Championship down to the last four in Waterford

The county senior football championship has reached its penultimate round of games this weekend, with both semi finals pencilled in for the Fraher Field venue with the final taking place a week tonight (Friday) which what must be a first for Waterford, and maybe even a first for Munster and maybe beyond.

With the big three all having reached this stage of the competition, one from The Nire (holders), Stradbally and Ballinacourty are guaranteed a place in next weeks final, as the first of the semi finals between The Nire and Stradbally is a repeat of last years final, while in the second semi final Kilrossanty will be hoping to create a shock as they take on neighbours Ballinacourty tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Earlier this week it was noted on a bookies website they had made The Nire favourites to win the first semi final, but their making the holders favourites must be done by the toss of a coin because it is almost impossible to make one of the two sides involved favourites over the other as each clash between the two is seldom if ever a 50/50 affair.

In their respective quarter final clash last weekend it was the current champions that looked more impressive and this may in a way have made the bookies make up their find as to which of the two deserve to be tagged as favourites.

They were always the better side in their win over 2014 Intermediate Champions Brickeys at Fraher Field while at the same venue twenty four hours earlier, Stradbally got off to a tonic start with Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh hitting a goal inside two minutes and raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead after just a quarter of an hour, but the Round Tower Club side kicked four points in a row before the break to cut their lead at the end of the first quarter by half.

The third quarter of that game proved to be a drab affair as neither side scored in the first ten minutes of the half before Shane Ahearne split the posts. Stradbally however failed to press on and it was Ardmore that for the next while proved to be the better of the two sides as David Gartland and Thomas Power landed points for Ardmore before Kenny Murphy put through Conor O’Shea with a good chance but he failed to control the ball as he would have liked and the chance was lost to go level with Ballinacourty.

Ardmore who were in a relegation play off with Ballinameela twelve months ago moved to within two of Stradbally with ten minutes remaining when David Garland pointed, but this was as good as it got for Ardmore as the experienced heads in the Stradbally team came to the core in the closing minutes as John Hearne, Eoin O’Brien and Stephen Cunningham landed scores to help their side to a 1-9 to 0-7 victory.

The 2014 champions ensured that their quest for first back to back titles going back to 1993 and 1994 remained on track when they beat Brickeys 0-16 to 1-6.

The current champions had this game in effect wrapped up by the break at which time they held a 0-10 to 0-3 advantage on the scoreboard.

The Nire went into this game almost two months after their last championship outing, having received a bye from De La Salle in their last game in the group stages and having got a bye to the second of the play off games after Clashmore, Ballinacourty and The Nire all finished on eight points in the group they also received a bye as Ballinacourty who won the first play off game with Clashmore to see who would finish second and third in the group, conceded to the champions.

The game with Brickeys last weekend will have done The Nire good heading into this weekends game as it would have knocked away any cobwebs that had set in.

Both of these sides are expected to field very experienced sides. Its worth noting that last weekend, Stradbally had Tony Grey back after a long injury lay off while The Nire were still missing Liam Lawlor with an Injury.

The second semi final see Ballinacourty and Kilrossanty do battle on Saturday evening in a game that is expected to attract a large local support to the Fraher Field venue.

Both of these sides had impressive wins last weekend as Kilrossanty accounted for Clashmore on a 2-10 to 0-5 win at Fraher Field while Ballinacourty had a comprehensive 4-18 to 0-9 win over Gaultier at Carrickbeg.

An interesting feature of Ballinacourty’s win last weekend was that all six forwards that started against Gaultier – Michael O’Halloran, Evan Collins, Patrick Hurney, Shane O’Donovan, Gary Hurney and Mark Ferncombe got their names on the score sheet with Michael O’Halloran, Shane O’Donovan, Evan Collins and Mark Ferncombe sharing the green flags.

Kilrossanty for their part also impressed in their win over Clashmore who for a long time headed group one of the group stages of the championship before finishing third, finishing on eight points alongside The Nire and Stradbally.

At the break Kilrossanty who looked to very fit were 1-6 to 0-2 in front against Clashmore who started without both Brian O’Halloran and Sean Fleming, the goal coming on nineteen minutes from Paul Whyte who found himself unmarked in front of goal, beating Declan Hickey from close range for give his side a 1-6 to 0-1 advantage.

Brian O’Halloran did come in for Gavin Dower at the break resulting in Clashmore starting better than they had faired in the first half, but the game was effectively ended as a contest twelve minutes into the second half as Joey Veale rounded his opponent and laid the ball off to Pa Cunningham and he made no mistake in hitting a second Kilrossanty goal.

So who will advance to next weeks County Final.

Both semi finals could well prove to be close fought affairs. For the second semi final clash, the forwards on both sides involved in this weeks game were on fire last weekend.

As pointed out already the six starting forwards for Ballinacourty all scored last weekend while five of the starting six forwards for Kilrossanty got their name on the score sheet. Against stronger backs this weekend it would be a big ask to ask that eleven of the starting twelve forwards to score this weekend but if they were to it could result in an excellent game.

Kilrossanty go into the game with a seasoned looked their side, even if some of their side is still very young. Ballinacourty for their part each year are bringing on new players from their Minor and Under 21 teams and are taking up the chance to shine playing at a higher grade.

The 2013 champions have what appears to be the stronger side and with ability such as that of Mark Ferncombe, the Hurney’s, Michael O’Halloran and Shane O’Donovan amongst others, they would be expected to come out on top.

The other game is much tougher to call.

In the big battles between the two since the turn of the century Stradbally have tended to come out on top more often but last year when Stradbally went into the county final as the favourites, The Nire playing some excellent football pulled off a terrific result and went on to reach the Munster Final a few weeks later.

Can they do it again?

I for one would not put it passed them, but the loss of Liam Lawlor in recent games is a big one while Tony Grey inclusion for Stradbally is a major plus.

Down the years a second meeting has often been needed to find a winner when these two meet and I would not be surprised if one was needed here, unless both sides have agreed in advance to play extra time if needed.

For me, I opting for Ballinacourty in the second semi final and going for a draw in the first game which could lead to all sorts of problems for the county board as the County Final is fixed for next Friday evening with the winners out less than 48 hours later in the Munster Championship, which begs the question, why were games not played all during the summer. Why are the majority of players left twiddling their thumbs void of meaningful games for weeks and months on end and come this time of the year are cramming games in in quick succession. More about that later maybe.

Portlaw and Modeligo set for battle for silverware at Walsh Park

Something rare can happen at Walsh Park on Sunday.

When Modeligo and Portlaw clash in this years Intermediate Hurling County Final, should the Western Side come out on top, they will become only the third side in Waterford to win back to back Junior and Intermediate County Champions, following on from Colligan who won the Junior County Final in 1984 and Intermediate in 1985, something repeated by Ardmore who won the Junior County Final in 2001 and Intermediate County Final in 2002.

To reach this years County Final, both sides have done so impressively.

Portlaw’s journey to this year’s final began with a 2-16 to 0-19 loss against near neighbours Clonea. They were made wait for a first win in the league section of the competition in round two as they fought out a 0-14 to 1-11 draw with Mount Sion, but did get their first win in round three when they beat Butlerstown 0-16 to 2-6.

They followed that win up with another win in round four of the championship, beating last years Eastern Champions at this grade Saint Saviours on a 2-13 to 0-9 score line that they rounded of the league section of the competition with a third win a row beating Dunhill 2-13 to 1-14.

Having qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, Portlaw were paired with De La Salle and ran out comfortable 2-16 to 1-11 winners.

It was Dunhill again in the semi finals for Portlaw and just as in the league game between the two it proved to be a tightly fought contest with Portlaw again coming out on top, again by two points just as in the first clash between the two, this time winning 1-15 to 1-13.

The Eastern Final was a repeat of the first game of the campaign for Portlaw, a clash with neighbours Clonea.

Clonea would have been in the eyes of many the favourites to come out on top again in the battle of the two, but this time around, the result of the first game was reversed.

Paudie Coffey’s charged had a good start to this game and at the break they held an impressive 1-11 to 0-6 lead, but Clonea in the second half started the brighter of the two sides, but two goals from DJ Foran 13 minutes apart either side of the mid point mark in the half proved decisive as it gave the Tannery men a 3-15 to 0-13 lead with eleven minutes remaining.

They failed however to score for the remainder of the game and as Clonea piled on the pressure it almost paid off as goals from Jason Gleeson and Ronan Cahill edged Clonea closer to Portlaw.

Modeligo have also impressed to get this far and have reached the final an unbeaten side.

They began the league section of the competition with a draw against Ardmore and followed it up with a 3-12 to 2-12 win over 2013 Western, County and Munster Junior Champions Ballysaggart.

Further wins against Shamrocks (0-21 to 1-10) and Tourin (1-16 to 1-14) followed which won for Modeligo a place in the semi finals as one of the two group winners from the league section of the competition.

In the semi final Modeligo were again paired with Ardmore and just as in the first game between the two, the game ended in a 2-12 to 1-15 draw before they came out on top in another very tight game in the replay (1-15 to 1-14).

It was Clashmore for Modeligo in the Western Final. The Still Men were spared relegation to the Junior grade at the end of 2014 after appealing to stay up after they were beaten in a relegation play off.

Despite this, Clashmore were expected to feature strongly this year after their successful appeal and they did not disappoint all year but had to settle for second best in this game as they were no match for a Modeligo side that ran out very worthy 0-19 to 0-9 winners.

Both sides will field strong sides in this game.

Portlaw will have minor player Liam Power between the posts and outside him Eoin Galvin flanked by Michael Donnelly and Shane Foran with Darren Rockett, Jim O’Donoghue and Frank Galvin playing further out the field, while Niall Fitzgerald and Jack Walsh could well feature in the middle of the field.

In attack DJ Foran will be their big gun while the likes of Paul Power, Blake O’Connor, John Hartley, and Shane Power are all set to feature.

For Modeligo they will look very similar to the side that won last years Junior Final. Cian O’Byrne however has taken over in goal from the injured Donal O’Keeffe and many regard him as someone to look out for in the years to come. In front of him Brian McCarthy is a hard working full back with Robbie Buckley and Sean Hennessy in the corners. Former inter county player Pat Fitzgerald will be at centre back and will have Thomas Walsh who refereed last weeks senior county final and Shane Troy alongside him at the start.

John McGrath and Kieran McCarthy could well start in the middle of the field while up front Modeligo will be able to call upon Pa Walsh this year after he missed much of last year, while players like Jamie and Michael Troy, Sean and Pa O’Donovan as well as Tom Devine are all vital to Modeligo’s hopes.

So who will win?

Little is set to separate the sides with maybe a puck of the ball between the sides at the end of the hour.

Portlaw will go into the game as favourites. Their players will know the ground inside out and upside down, while for Modeligo it will be their first time playing hurling at the Keane’s Road ground in a number of years and may in fact be the first time playing there.

Both sides are experienced. Portlaw last appeared in a County Final at this grade in 2012 where they suffered a heavy loss to An Rinn at Fraher Field. They will know that they can only do better this time around.

Modeligo gained a lot of experience last year and this will stand to them here, and of course they have the advantage this year of being able to call on Pa Walsh who is a very good player.

Sides from the West of the County, Tallow (senior hurling), Saint Mary’s (Junior Hurling) and Brickeys (Junior B Hurling) have all made the trip to Walsh Park in recent weeks and returned home empty handed. At the risk of getting accused of starting an East/West debate, surly one side from the West of the County can travel to the venue this year and return home with the silverware. Can Modeligo put an end to the recent run of results for Western Champions? I believe they can, but it could well be a close one.

It will be interesting to see what support will travel to Walsh Park from the West of the County this weekend. Modeligo will bring a big support from their own parish as well as maybe from nearby Cappoquin, but with Ballinameela (just across the N72 divide from Modeligo) playing in the Munster Intermediate Football Championship at Fraher Field, it will be interesting to see where those from neutral clubs will go to see their regular Sunday game this weekend.

Ballinameela take on Oola for Munster Semi Final Spot against Carrigaline

Less than 100 hours after winning a fourth County Intermediate Football Championship in the clubs history, Ballinameela are in Munster Club Championship action on Sunday afternoon next when they take on Limerick Champions Oola at Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon with the game having a 2pm throw in.

Ballinameela on Wednesday evening won the right to contest this game when they over came the challenge of Bunmahon at the second time of asking at Fraher Field, winning 1-12 to 2-7 after drawing 1-7 to 0-10 last Saturday evening at the same venue, where they required a point from Jim Curran very late in stoppage time to secure the second chance.

The Limerick side know a little longer that they will be involved in Sunday’s game having beaten Claughaun 2-11 to 0-14 in the Limerick Intermediate Football Final recently at Caherconlish.

In that game was goals from Pakie Bourne and under 21 Limerick hurler Richie English in the first half that helped secure the win for the East Limerick side as they turned around at the break with a 2-7 to 0-7 advantage.

While it was Claughaun that opened the scoring in the Limerick final through Evan Shine, Oola wasted not time in replying as both sides went score for score with Ian Bourke with a brace and John and Pakie Bourke hitting one each to level matters midway through the half.

Under 21 player of the Year Richie English hit his sides first goal of the game when he fisted to the net and shortly afterwards Pakie Bourke followed up with a second goal to give Oola a good advantage on the scoreboard.

The remainder of the opening half proved to be an evenly balanced affair with both sides landing three points each, with the winners scores coming from Keith Bourke, Conor Ryan and Richie English.

Claughaun started the second half the better of the two sides and kicked three unanswered points before Josh Ryan kicked Oola’s first score of the second half from a free midway through the half from a free.

Claughaun however came back again with two points before Oola hit the score of the game when Pakie Bourke found his brother Ian with an excellent pass and he put over a fine point to stem the flow of Claughaun. Pakie Bourke followed up with a point of his own with five minutes remaining to give Oola a 2-10 to 0-13 lead.

Claughaun did manage to cut the Oola lead to two in the time that remained but the winners ensured that the win was going to be their’s when 17 year old Josh Ryan landed a free following a foul on Darragh O’Donovan.

Ballinameela on Wednesday evening last had a much better start to the game than they had in the drawn game as they hit the first three scores of the game, both points from Jim Curran, Brian Phelan and Tom Curran.

Michael Harney hit Bunmahon’s first score of the half on 19 minutes and Ballinameela hit their all important score three minutes later as Michael Culloo finished to the net to give his side a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

The remainder of what was in all effects a very dour first half proved to be an evenly balanced affair as both sides hit two further scores each, Brendan Phelan kicking a brace of points for the eventual winners, in the middle of efforts from Ciaran Buckley on 23 minutes and Shane Dwan just before the break.

The second half proved however to be a much more enjoyable affair.

Ballinameela leading 1-5 to 0-3 at the break opened the half as they did with the first with Jim Curran and Man of the Match Brendan Phelan hitting points for their side. However, Bonmahon who were the better side in the drawn game and who were within seconds of winning a third Intermediate Football County Final for the club would not lie down without a fight, and they hit back with points from Richie Walsh and Jonathan Fenton before they hit a brace a goals within thirty seconds of each other, the first from Jeff Hally who came in as a sub at the break following a movement that started in their own goal mouth and the second from Jonathan Fenton after Bonmahon won the restart after their first goal.

Ballinameela however were to show their hunger as they hit the next four scores in a row through Jim Curran with a brace and one each from Shane Flavin and Tom Curran.

Bonmahon however still refused to throw in the towel as Richie Walsh hit a brace of frees before Shane Dwan saw an effort for a goal in stoppage time go just wide of the base of the upright, which had it gone in would have given his side a two point lead, but they would end up loosing by two as Brendan Phelan put over a late point to record a 1-12 to 2-7 victory.

Both sides on Sunday are unlikely to show many changes to the sides that won county finals in their respective counties.

That should mean that Kevin Nolan will start between the posts for Oola with Shane Whelan, Jamie Heuston and Stephen Ryan forming the full back line, and John Bourke, Eoin Fitzgibbon and Denny Moloney playing directly in front of them.

Josh Ryan and Conor Ryan could well form a good centre field pairing but in the Limerick County Final the latter retired early and was replaced by Darragh Stapleton who will be hoping for a start this time around if Conor Ryan is not selected.

In attach Oola could well cause Ballinameela some problems. Ian Bourke scored three points from centre forward in the Limerick County Final while alongside him Keith Bourke hit 0-1 while Daniel Quirke in the right half forward position was one of two of their six starting forwards not to score and was replaced by Thomas Hayes.

The full forward line could is where much of Oola’s strength is as Pakie Bourke and Richie English their goal scores in the county final look set to start in the corners with Darragh O’Donovan in the middle.

Ballinameela could well give a vote of confidence to the side which beat Bunmahon on Wednesday evening meaning James McGrath will start between the posts with Stephen McGrath, Colin Walsh and Kaelan Looby in front of him, while Jason McGrath, Kevin Phelan and Michael Shine could start in the half back line.

Brian Phelan and Lorcan Looby should continue in the middle of the field, while John Harrington, Tom Curran and Shane Flavin should fill the number 10 to 12 positions with Jim Curran, Brendan Phelan and Michael Culloo playing closest to the Oola goal. Mickey Phelan and Rob Shine played parts in the drawn game with Bunmahon and could receive a call up again for this game as for players to play three games in a week at this time of the year is asking a lot, but needs must at times.

Oola will go into this game with an advantage of a good break following their county final win. Members of their club may also have taken the trip at least once in the last week to Dungarvan to see their opponents in action.

A third game in a week as already pointed out is going to be a big ask for Ballinameela, but often adrenalin will see you past the post. Playing on a field that they are very familiar with should also be a help as Fraher Field is often a difficult field for sides not used to playing their on a regular basis to get a result.

With this in mind, Ballinameela get the nod, but it might be too close for most for comfort.

It’s Ballinameela V Bonmahon Round Two in Intermediate Football County Final

How often have we seen a team down the years with one hand on silverware only for them to loose it?

Last Saturday evening at Fraher Field Bonmahon found themselves in such a situation.

They looked as if they were going to mark the 40^th Anniversary of winning their first Intermediate title and the 21^st Anniversary of winning their second title at the same grade with winning a third, but were found guilty of throwing away the chance.

All was not lost however for the Copper Coast Village side as they earned a second chance this Wednesday evening to see if they can win that third title or if Ballinameela can win a fourth and as a result win the right to represent Waterford in the Intermediate Club Championship on Sunday afternoon against Limerick side Oola.

For much of the hour on Saturday evening it was the side coached by Rathgormack man Kenny Hassett that were the superior team but a goal six minutes from time, fisted to the net by Brian Phelan gave Ballinameela the chance of winning a third title at this level since 2009.

For Bonmahon on Saturday evening on two occasions they lead by four points with former All-Ireland Winning minor Michael Harney playing a pivotal roll for his side, but credit where credit is due, Ballinameela never gave up and in the end the draw might have been the fairest result all round.

On Saturday night last it was Bonmahon that had the better start as John Roche opened the scoring inside fifty seconds and when they added further efforts from Dylan Power five minutes later and then by Ciaran Buckley a further three minutes it was looking as if it would be the Copper Coast Village clubs night, and that early three point lead when to four soon afterwards thanks to an effort from Ciaran Hearne.

Having failed to score in the opening quarter Ballinameela opened their account on 16 minutes through Jim Curran and they added another on nineteen minutes off the boot of Jim’s twin brother Tom.

Niall Queally and Tom Curran swapped scores in the closing minutes of the first half to give Bonmahon what was a deserved 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the break against the side that were odds on favourites with so many.

Tom Curran reduced the defecate to one in the first minute of the first half with his third free of the evening, and on thirty six minutes he was denied what looked to be a good goal scoring opportunity by Brendan Murphy in the Bonmahon goal.

Points from Ciaran Buckley and a brace from Richie Walsh followed for Bonmahon with the game having entered its final quarter to give them a four point advantage on the score board for the second time.

Ballinameela however never refused to throw in the towel and points from Brian Phelan and Tom Curran in a two minute spell had the Bonmahon lead down to a more manageable tally with nine minutes of the hour still to play.

Bonmahon however wasted no time in extending their lead with a point from the brilliant Michael Harney but it was followed by a Ballinameela goal to level matters for the first time since Bonmahon hit their early opening score.

Richie Walsh hit his third of the game from a tight angle which looked as if it would give the laurels to Bonmahon.

However it was not to be for them.

Anybody that reads my view on the modern game will know that I am totally opposed to shock frees or short puck outs and Bonmahon were punished here in added time for getting involved in such tactics.

Having won a free inside their own half of the field Bonmahon opted to play it short rather than to drive it as far down the field as is possible saw the ball intercepted and when Jim Curran got control of it, there was only one thing on his mind, to put it over the crossbar and he made no mistake to level matters.

A healthy attendance paid over €2,000 to see last Saturday’s clash of the two sides and with an expected deduction in the admission price to see the replay it will be interesting to see what the official gate receipt will be and more over to see if there is an apatite for midweek games within the county.

On Saturday evening last Ballinameela had good performances from the Curran twins, Jim and Tom as well as the likes of Brian Phelan and Michael Culloo.

Bonmahon had their part had some good performances from the likes of Michael Harney, Richie Walsh, Ciaran Buckley, Kieran Roche and Jonathan Fenton.

However not only with both sides need top drawer performances from these players in the replay, they will need others also to play a greater roll.

For Ballinameela the likes of Colin Walsh at full back Michael Shine at wing back, and Lorcan Looby in the middle of the field are all fine footballers and more will be asked of them on Wednesday evening.

For Bonmahon they will also look for big performances from the likes of Niall Queally, Ciaran Hearne and especially Shane Dwan who played no small part in helping his side to get past Newtown in the Eastern Semi Final and Portlaw in the final to make an even greater contribution on Wednesday evening as he was held scoreless by a tight Ballinameela full back line.

Ballinameela will head into this game as the more experienced side and will know that they won the first of their most two recent County Finals after a replay and will be hoping that History can repeat itself here.

However, having a sneaky feeling for Bonmahon to win on Saturday evening I am not going to change now. They were were wrote off by so many heading into last Saturday’s game and the fact that they got a second chance despite leading twice by four points will give them confidence going into this game.

Title number fourteen for Ballygunner who prove too strong for Tallow

Ballygunner edged one ahead of Erin’s Own into second place on the all time roll of honour when it comes to winning senior hurling championships on Sunday afternoon when they recorded a four point win over Tallow at Walsh Park.

Throughout the hour the winners proved to be the better of the two sides and were full value for their 0-16 to 0-12 victory, one which sets up a Munster Club semi final against Cork side Glen Rovers at Walsh Park in three weeks time, but they were pushed hard all the way by Tallow.

The winners at the end of the third quarter found themselves just one in front of the Bride-siders, but Denis Walsh’s charges hit three of the last four scores of the game to become the first Waterford side since Mount Sion in 2004 to retain the title, won twelve months earlier.

Ballygunner’s return from open play was to prove to be a big factor in this game as of their sixteen scores all but three came from open play, while for Tallow of their dozen scores only two were from play.

Ballygunner were also thankful to the contribution of team captain David O’Sullivan as he hit three points over the hour and also played a part in two other scores and he can’t but have impressed the on looking Waterford senior hurling manager Derek McGrath.

Brian O’Sullivan opened the scoring for Ballygunner in this game with a point after just one minute and the lead was further extended two minutes later thanks to an effort from Shane O’Sullivan.

Tallow however were not long behind as Ryan Grey put over a ’65 on five minutes and a minute later the same player levelled matters from a free.

Barry and Brian O’Sullivan landed points for the winners on eleven minutes only for Ryan Grey to pull one back for Tallow two minutes later from another ’65.

Conor Power, Brian O’Sullivan and David O’Sullivan followed up with points for Ballygunner to give them a 0-7 to 0-3 lead with eighteen minutes showing on the stopwatch.

Ryan Grey and Shane Sullivan traded scores for their respective sides to keep four between the sides with eight minutes remaining, but Tallow would finish the half the stronger of the two sides as Ryan Grey put over three frees in a row in a four minute spell and in added time Tallow hit their first of the game from open play from the stick of Evan Sheehan to send the sides to the dressing rooms at the break locked at eight points each.

Tallow came out for the second half and within a minutes they were ahead for the first and only time in the game when Ryan Grey put over a ’65.

David O’Sullivan levelled matters once more after thirty-seven minutes and it was followed four minutes later with an effort from a Brian O’Sullivan free.

On forty three minutes the only real chance for a goal in the game happened when Billy O’Sullivan shot at Shaun O’Sullivan but the Tallow net minder who is one of the best shot stoppers in the county was equal to the effort of the Ballygunner man.

Points from Thomas Ryan and David O’Sullivan were traded in the forty-fourth minute to keep Ballygunner in front by one, but in the final quarter the side in red and black proved to be the better of the two sides.

Peter Hogan and Conor Power lander points for Ballygunner by the forty-seventh minute to give them a three point advantage on the score board.

Ryan Grey pulled one back for Tallow before Peter Hogan and Brian O’Sullivan responded with points for Ballygunner to give them a 0-15 to 0-11 advantage with seven minutes to spare.

It was at this stage in 2013 that Ballygunner were seven points up against Passage only to loose by three, but there would be no such worries this time around.

Ryan Grey had his tenth white flag of the day raised four minutes from time but two minutes later Tim O’Sullivan who had come on for JJ Hutchinson in the third quarter hit the final score of the game to give his side a four point win.

Ballygunner: Stephen O’Keeffe; Eddie Hayden, Barry Coughlan, Ian Kenny; Harley Barnes, Philip Mahony, Shane Walsh; David O’Sullivan, Billy O’Keeffe; JJ Hutchinson, Shane O’Sullivan, Barry O’Sullivan; Brian O’Sullivan, Conor Power, Peter Hogan. Subs: Tim O’Sullivan for JJ Hutchinson (37), Stephen Power for Billy O’Keeffe (56), Conor Sheehan for Conor Power (60).

Scorers: Brian O’Sullivan 0-5 (2fs, 1 65), David O’Sullivan 0-3, Shane O’Sullivan, Peter Hogan, Conor Power 0-2 each, Barry O’Sullivan, Tim O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Tallow:  Shaun O’Sullivan; Kenneth Kearney, David O’Brien, Mark O’Brien; Aidan Kearney, James Murray, Jake Neville; Paul O’Brien, Kieran Geary; Bob McCarthy, Thomas Ryan, William Henley; Evan Sheehan, Ryan Grey, Jordan Henley. Subs: Paul Kearney for Bob McCarthy (42), Brian McCarthy for Jake Neville (51), Shane Feeney for William Henley (58), Jake Beecher for Jordan Henley (60).

Scorers: Ryan Grey 0-10 (7fs, 3 65s), Thomas Ryan, Evan Sheehan 0-1 each.

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Modeligo)

Ballymacarbry and Mourneabbey expected to fight out close Munster Senior Ladies Football Final

What has proved to be a successful year for Ladies Football in Waterford with the County capturing All-Ireland titles at Under 16 and Intermediate levels could become even better on Saturday afternoon when Ballymacarbry who have captured a thirty-fourth County Senior Final in a row recently take on Cork side Mourneabbey in the Munster Senior Club Final in Mallow with the game having a 4pm throw in.

The Cork side head into this game following on from a very busy few days.

On Saturday evening last they drew with Saint Vals in the Cork Senior County Final, 1-11 a piece at the Cork IT grounds and had to replay on Wednesday evening at Carrigaline to find a winner to take part in this weekends Munster Final.

The reigning champions going into that game retained their crown with a comfortable 3-9 to 0-9 win.

The eventual winners who appeared in last years All-Ireland Club Final where they lost to Termon from Donegal on a 3-12 to 1-13 score line did much of the spade work for this win in the first half at the end of which they held a 2-6 to 0-5 lead.

In a tight opening few minutes of the game Vera Foley and Síle O’Callaghan hit early points for the winners with Lara Fitzgerald pulling one back for a young St Val’s side.

It was at this point that Mourneabbey began to put pressure on the St Vals defence as they created three goal scoring chances but took none of them.

The winners however did break the deadlock on the quarter of an hour mark as a high ball was sent in around the St Vals square which was misread by the defensive players and hit the back of St Vals goalkeeper and went into the net.

And when Laura O’Sullivan hit a second goal for Mourneabbey six minutes later, the game looked to be all over as a contest.

Trailing by seven at the break St Vals came out for the second half hitting the opening score of the half but once Doireann O’Sullivan set up Brid O’Sullivan hit her sides third goal there was only going to be one outcome to the game.

Ballymacarbry come into this game on the back of some good results.

After overcoming the challenge of Comeragh Rangers in a re-arranged County Final in early September, in the last two weekends they have beaten Tipperary side Brian Boru’s in the Munster ‘B’ Final at New Inn and last weekend bear Banner Ladies in Tipperary Town to win the Munster ‘B’ Final, hitting impressive tallies in all games.

The Cork side will come into this game looking for big performances from their Cork senior players such as Ciara, Doireann, Méabh, Roisin and Brid O’Sullivan as well as Roberta Harrington, Katie Healy, Laura Fitzgerald and Marie O’Callaghan.

Ballymacarbry in their win last weekend called on all their experience to see them past Banner Ladies.

With forty seven minutes played in that game the sides were locked at fifteen points each, but after Tipperary inter county player Shauna Ryan hit a goal they outscored their opponents 1-7 to 0-2 in the final thirteen minutes of the game to record an excellent win.

Like Mourneabbey, Ballymacarbry will be looking to their inter county players for inspiration in this game.

All year the likes of Michelle McGrath, Mairead Wall, Karen McGrath, Linda Wall, Louise Ryan, Aileen Wall, Sinead Ryan and Michelle Ryan have been in outstanding form and will look for one more big performance her and will also be looking to the likes of Tipperary inter county player Lauren Fitzpatrick in goal as well as fellow Tipperary players Teresa McGrath and Shauna Ryan, while big performances will also be required from the likes of Becky Hogan, Laura Mulcahy, Marian Ryan, Eibhlis Cooney, Danielle Hallahan and Lauren Guiry if and when they are called upon.

Like in many other games at this time of the year with so much on offer to the sides taking part, this game could well go right to the wire.

The fact that Mourneabbey had a game during the week that they might have not necessarily want to play will have taken something from the players. However it is often the case that the more players play at this time of the year adrenalin takes over and any tiredness from playing games in close proximity is forgotten about.

The Cork side with their experience of playing in last years All-Ireland Club final and with so many players involved with the all conquering Cork Senior Ladies Football team will have to go into the game as favourites.

But this is a good Ballymacarbry team and if they were to upset the odds, few would be shocked. Its Ballymacarbry for me here in what could be a very close game.

Title Number 4 for Ballinameela or 3 for Bonmahon in County Intermediate Football Final

While the main game in Waterford this weekend is the County Senior Hurling Final between Ballygunner and Tallow, a repeat of the 2011 decider which Ballygunner won, for two more clubs this weekend it promises to be an equally as big a weekend.

Bonmahon and Ballinameela on Saturday evening will contest this years Intermediate Football County Final at Fraher Field, where the prize for the winners will be not only the right to play in the senior football championship in 2016,  but also to represent Waterford in this years Munster Intermediate Football Championship in the coming weeks.

Ballinameela are no strangers to being involved in this stage of the competition.

When they run onto the field on Saturday evening they will do so on County Final day for the third time since 2009.

In all there two previous finals in this time, victory has gone to the side in Blue and White shirts. In 2009 they beat Ballyduff Lower 1-16 to 1-13 after a replay following in from a 1-4 to 0-7 draw.

Ballinameela in the following year came within seconds of causing one of the biggest shocks in the senior championship for many years as they reached the last four of the competition and hit a late goal to take the lead against Stradbally but lost out in the replay at Cappoquin. The following year Ballinameela lost their senior status.

After just one year back in the Intermediate grade Ballinameela came through the Western Championship and beat De La Salle 0-12 to 1-8 in the final. Twelve months on back in the senior grade Ballinameela reached the quarter finals of the competition before going out and another twelve months on were relegated once more.

They have now come through the Western Championship again and are once more looking to get back to playing senior in 2016.

Their path to this weekend’s final proved to be not as clear cut as some might have expected.

They began the league section of the Western Championship with a 1-12 to 1-5 loss to deadly rivals Geraldine’s. they followed that loss up with wins over Ballinacourty (4-4 to 2-9) and Sliabh gCua (1-19 to 1-5) before loosing once more this time to Ballyduff Upper (2-10 to 0-9) before they rounded off the league section of the competition with a 3-15 to 3-9 win over Dungarvan.

In the semi final they then recorded a second win of the year over Ballinacourty 2-8 to 0-11 and in the final they drew with Geraldine’s 1-7 a piece before beating them at the second attempt 3-6 to 1-10 last weekend.

Bonmahon will be in rather unfamiliar territory on Saturday evening as they are only for the third time in their history appearing in a final at this level of football.

however, the side from the Copper Coast village will travel to Fraher Field in the knowledge that in their previous final appearances at this level, they have won both and will want to keep their excellent run in tact.

Their first title win was forty years ago when they beat Clashmore 2-5 to 1-5 and twenty-one years ago they were again in the final beating An Rinn 2-7 to 1-5. Most people love to celebrate anniversaries like 21^st and 40^th birthdays and no doubt Bunmahon would love to celebrate the anniversary of their two previous wins with a third title.

Bunmahon have proven to be a bit of a surprise package this year. However they are through to the final on merit.

They began the group stages of their divisional championship with a 3-16 to 1-2 win over neighbours Kilmacthomas. They lost out 1-7 to 0-7 against a strong Portlaw outfit in round two and defeat was their lot again in round three loosing 0-9 to 0-5 to Newtown. In their last game of the league section of the competition, they secured third place in the group when they received a walkover from Mount Sion.

There was a change to how the Intermediate championships were run this year in the east of the county with all ten sides that took part guaranteed at least one knockout game.

The two group winners contested the league final while the other eight sides were paired off in two rounds of play off games.

The second team in each group was paired with the fifth in the opposite group with the third and fourth placed teams in each group done likewise.

The four winners were involved in a phase two round of games with regardless of how these games went they would reach the quarter finals along with the two group winners, while the four sides that lost in phase one were also involved in fixtures with the two winners of these games going forward to the quarter finals with the two group winners and the phase one play off winners.

Roanmore in the first phase of play offs beat Tramore 1-13 to 1-12 and in phase two beat Dunhill 0-13 to 1-8.

In the quarter finals they beat Saint Molleran’s 2-9 to 0-7 and in the semi final beat Newtown 0-12 to 0-5 before beating Portlaw recently in the Eastern final on a 2-8 to 0-8 score line.

Both sides will travel to Dungarvan with some very good players within their ranks and will be confident that they can make the step up for next year.

The Ballinameela players will be the better known to most football supporters and will be picking from the likes of Tom and Jim Curran, Brian, Brendan, Kevin and Micky Phelan, Colin Walsh, Cian Culloo, Rob and Michael Shine, Lorcan Looby, John Harrington and James and Jason McGrath.

Bonmahon will be able to call on some players that won the Under 21 B Championship with group side Saint Mary’s earlier this year.

Shane Dwan could well prove to be their target man and he will be hoping to rediscover the form he showed in the Eastern Semi Final win over Newtown where he scored 0-3 and the 2-3 he scored in the Eastern Final against Portlaw.

Others that the side in yellow and green will be looking to for big performances here will include John Fenton, Niall Queally, Fionn Buckley, Richie Walsh, Ciaran Buckley, Ciaran Hearne and Michael Harney who will be well known to most as a fine hurler but is also an accomplished footballer.

This is a game that could well go right to the wire.

Ballinameela with their recent experience winning the competition twice since 2009 and playing in the senior grade for four years since 2010 will have to count for something and they will go into the game as favourites.

Bonmahon however relish going into the game as the underdog. They will go into the game on a high after beating a fancied Portlaw side in the Eastern Final and should not be written off.

Ballinameela should have enough to win this game but should Bonmahon come out on top here, I for one won’t be surprised.

Will it be title number fourteen for Ballygunner or five for Tallow

2015 has been a year of shocks when it comes to the senior hurling Championship in Waterford.

Have a look at the last number of finals in Waterford and maybe you can see some of the shocks, or was it just a case of the way the draws happened, as a number of the sides that have appeared in the last number of finals went out of the competition earlier than most expected.  

Mount Sion, beaten in last years final against Ballygunner went out of this year’s championship at the quarter final stages this year to Ballygunner, so maybe that was not entirely a shock.

Passage the winners in 2013 went out of the competition at the same stage as Mount Sion this year against 2007 champions Ballyduff Upper, a side that most had confined to a relegation play off against possibly Cappoquin or Lismore after three games in the league section of the competition.

De La Salle, the winners in 2008, 2010 and 2012 failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition this year. In fact they had to withstand a relegation play off game with Lismore to ensure they would get the right to contest for the Waterford News and Star Cup in 2016.

Dungarvan the runners up in 2012 were fancied by many this year to have a good run and were looking good for a semi final spot a few weeks back but they were powerless to stop Tallow hit some late scores and so bow out of the competition this year at the same stage as Mount Sion and Passage.

And Lismore who lost out to Ballygunner after a replay by a point in the 2009 final lost their senior status for 2016 when they lost the relegation play off some weeks back to De La Salle.

At the start of the year when I was filling out my Sports Prediction Form competition run by the Sliabh gCua/Saint Mary’s G.A.A. Club I had a feeling that 2015 could be a year where there would be change. Something was telling me that someone out side of Ballygunner and De La Salle that most were favouring to win this year’s Waterford News and Star Cup. Having made some good additions to their team since they last appeared in the final, I opted for Dungarvan to be the team that would break the dominance of the Eastern Clubs in the competition in the last twenty years where there was only won winner west of the River Mahon and you could not have gone any further west to find that winner.

In the last number of years in the All-Ireland Hurling championship most agree that the last team to beat Kilkenny will win the All-Ireland (few do). I therefore guess that since Dungarvan went out of the competition I have to in a way switch my prediction to the side that beat them and that was Tallow.

As pointed out it has been a year of shock results this year and something tells me that there may be one more to come.

Ballygunner will go into this Sunday’s game with the favourites tag around their necks, but they have not been playing to the best of their capabilities this year, so it could be argued that this will give Tallow confidence travelling to Walsh Park on Sunday.

The two sides played at the same venue in the 2011 final and on that day Ballygunner ran out comfortable 1-19 to 0-6 winners. Tallow this year know that they can only really improve on that result, unless of course that the reigning champions are saving their best till the last game of the championship and they put in an exhibition of hurling over the course of the hour.

Tallow will travel this year with a better side they had in 2011.  

They could well be able to call upon eleven of the side which were beaten that day from the off this Sunday, and also are able to call upon exciting prospects like Ryan Grey and Jordan Henley both of whom have made big impressions in this years campaign.

Ballygunner for their part will be without a number of players that helped them win the title twelve months ago at the same venue against Mount Sion.

Pauric Mahony of course is the biggest loss to the side. He has not played since he picked up a serious injury against Ballyduff Upper in the opening round game back in May. Wayne Hutchinson is another loss this year after work took him away from the area and he decided to throw his lot in closer to his place of employment.

However, the Gunners will be able to call on some experienced players and like Tallow they will be able to call upon many of the side which helped beat the Bride-siders four years ago in the final, with in the region of a dozen of the twenty players used that day expected to start on Sunday.

And like Tallow they are able to call on some exciting youngsters who were not involved in 2011 for this game with possibly Peter Hogan being the best of them. Last weekend he hit 1-7 for the Ballygunner minor team which drew with Cois Bhride (Tallow and Shamrocks) at the same venue.

Both sides go into this weekend’s game having played seven games each.

Ballygunner’s record is the better of the two, winning six of their seven games, while Tallow won four of their games, drew one and lost two, one of which was the last game in the league section of the championship, a table topper against this weekends opponents Ballygunner.

If I to put money on this weekend’s game like many I would possibly opt for Ballygunner to put my bet on as they will in the eyes of the bookies return the best value of getting it back and getting some more with it.

However in this year of shocks so far, I’m not going to write off Tallow’s chances all to easy and if they were to win a fifth Championship, following on from their previous wins in 1936, 1980, 1984 and 1985.

 

Paths to the Final:

Ballygunner:

Round 1: Ballygunner 2-18 Ballyduff Upper 0-9

Round 2: Ballygunner 1-14 Fourmilewater 1-7

Round 3: Ballygunner 0-17 De La Salle 1-12

Round 4: Ballygunner 2-21 Abbeyside 0-16

Round 5: Ballygunner 0-20 Tallow 0-16

Quarter Final: Ballygunner 2-12 Mount Sion 0-12

Semi Final: Ballygunner 1-16 Fourmilewater 1-12

Scores for: 9-113

Scores against: 2-89

Average for: 20 points

Average against: 14 points

 

Tallow:

Round 1: Tallow 1-15 De La Salle 2-12

Round 2: Tallow 2-15 Ballyduff Upper 1-13

Round 3: Tallow 2-13 Abbeyside 1-11

Round 4: Tallow 0-15 Fourmilewater 1-13

Round 5: Tallow 0-16 Ballygunner 0-20

Quarter Final: Tallow 3-13 Dungarvan 0-18

Semi Final: Tallow 1-14 Ballyduff Upper 0-16

Scores for: 11-102

Scores against: 5-113

Average for: 21 points

Average against: 18 points

 

Top Scorers for both sides:

Ballygunner:

Brian O’Sullivan 2-29

Stephen Power 3-20

Peter Hogan 2-6

JJ Hutchinson 1-8

Barry O’Sullivan 0-10

Pauric Mahony 0-9

Billy O’Keeffe 1-4

David O’Sullivan 0-7

Shane O’Sullivan 0-7

Conor Power 0-4

Stephen O’Keeffe 0-4

Tim O’Sullivan 0-2

Philip Mahony 0-1

Gary Molloy 0-1

David Walsh 0-1

 

Tallow:

Thomas Ryan 3-42

Ryan Grey 2-19

Paul O’Brien 1-14

Evan Sheehan 2-4

William Henley 1-5

Paul Kearney 0-6

Robert O’Sullivan 0-4

Jordan Henley 0-2

Aidan Kearney 0-2

Brian McCarthy 0-1

Bob McCarthy 0-1

Kieran Geary 0-1