O’Sullivan’s Goal the Difference at Fraher Field

Less than 48 hours after winning the county Intermediate Football County Final, Dungarvan bowed out of this year’s Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship on Sunday last when they went under to Mallow at Fraher Field.

This was a pretty awful game of football and it was plain to see from an early stage that whatever side that did advance would struggle to go any further in the competition.

Both sides finished the game with 14 players and could well have finished with less on the field at the end of the game on another day.

Kevin Sheehan was sent off with 8 minutes remaining after he picked up his second yellow card of the game after he kicked out at Darragh Fitzgerald while he was lying on the ground. He picked up his first yellow after the half time whistle was sounded for what appeared to be something he said to the referee.

Patrick Curran was sent off on a straight red in added time at the end of the hour following some ugly scenes along the sideline in front of the stand.

The Cork champions proved to be the better of the sides in the first half turning around with an 0-8 to 0-7 advantage on the scoreboard, Dungarvan staying in touch with six points from Gavin Crotty all from frees, while their only score from open play in the first 30 minutes came on 19 minutes when Patrick Curran put over a good point.

Gavin Crotty opened the scoring in the first minute with a free but the visiting side hit back with points from Kieran O’Sullivan, Ryan Harkin and Matty Taylor in a two minute spell.

Dungarvan’s Mick Devine was unlucky not to have rattled the net on five minutes when soccer style he took on the Mallow defence but he saw his effort go just wide on the country end of the ground.

Gavin Crotty pointed on 8 minutes but it was followed with a brace of scores by Cian O’Riordan and one from Ryan Harkin.

Kieran O’Sullivan had a goal bound shot saved by Michael Walsh on 16 minutes and from the rebound Cian O’Riordan saw his effort taken off the line by the Dungarvan defence.

O’Riordan pointed on 18 while Dungarvan got their first from play a minute later, a good score by Patrick Curran.

Gavin Crotty with a brace of scores followed up for Dungarvan and with five minutes of the first half remaining Killian O’Connor pointed to put Mallow three in front, but a brace of Gavin Crotty frees in the last four minutes of the half ensured that there was only one between the sides at the break.

Dungarvan proved to be the better of the two sides in the third quarter as Gavin Crotty put over a hat-trick of scores, two of which were from frees, with Cian O’Riordan pulling one back for Mallow.

The game’s only goal came on 49 minutes when Craig Lynch played in Kieran O’Sullivan who palmed the ball unmarked past Michael Walsh which gave his side a 1-9 to 0-10 lead.

Gavin Crotty made it a one point game on the hour mark when his side had a man advantage on the field but failed to make it tell, and two points in quick succession by Cian O’Riordan and Sean Hayes on 62 minutes secures Mallow’s passage to the semi finals.

Dungarvan: Michael Walsh; Darragh Fitzgerald, Aaron Donnelly, Peter Queally; John Curran, Conor Sheridan, Gavin Power; Michael Kiely, Joe Allen; Gavin Crotty, Liam Ryan, Mick Devine; Luke O’Callaghan, Patrick Curran, Jack Lacey. Subs: Mark Boland for Peter Queally (46), Aidan Kirwan for Liam Ryan (59)

Scorers: Gavin Crotty 0-10 (9F) Patrick Curran 0-1.

Mallow: Kevin Doyle; Michael Quirke, Stephen Coughlan, Bill Myers; James Loughrey, Matty Taylor, Aaron Cahill; Killian O’Connor, Eoin Stanton; Conor Stokes, Kieran O’Sullivan, Ryan Harkin; Kevin Sheehan, Cian O’Riordan, Craig Lynch. Subs: John McGuinness for James Loughrey (33), Sean Hayes for Conor Stokes (38), Trevor McEvoy for Killian O’Connor (53), Eoin O’Carroll for Craig Lynch (58), Darren O’Riordan for Aaron Cahill (59)

Scorers: Cian O’Connor 0-5 (1F), Kieran O’Sullivan 1-1, Ryan Harkin 0-2, Matty Taylor, Killian O’Connor, Sean Hayes 0-1 each.

Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick)

Sixth County Final Win For Lismore in eight seasons.

Lismore are County Senior Camogie Champions for 2017 after they came out on top with five points to spare in this year’s championship decider at the WIT Arena on Saturday afternoon last.

When the same two sides met at the same stage of the competition twelve months ago, it was the Barony Ladies that won a first County Final at this grade since 2008 and they like Lismore before them on a number of occasions in recent years went on to capture the Munster Intermediate title a few weeks later.

From the side that won twelve months ago Gailltir this time around fielded without Áine O’Keeffe, Clara Hogan, Aileen Cummins, Sally Ann O’Grady, Sinead Cunningham and Aisling Flood from the start and also had Trish Jackman who was away for much of the summer months amongst their subs for this game, but she made an appearance coming in for Annie Glavey during the course of the game.

Lismore also had changes from the side that lost out twelve months ago, but in their case it could be argued that they were a stronger XV this year as Marie Russell, Sharon Williams and Grainne Kenneally were all back in the starting team this year.

Aoife Hannon who was sorely missed for Lismore last year finished as top scorer in this game with seven points, six of which came from place balls (5 frees and 1 ’45), while for the Barony Ladies it was Annie Fitzgerald in her first senior county final was their top scorer with half a dozen points, four of which came from placed balls, while inter county player Áine Lyng put over one point less from frees for the Sky Blues.

But not for the first time it was Caithriona McGlone that was the hero of the hour as she struck two goals for her side, including the ensuring winning score deep in stoppage time in this action packed final.

She has made a habit of scoring goals on the big stage and she called on all her experience again in this game to help her side to victory, but the win was by no means a one woman performance for the winners as Aoife Hannon, Shona Curran, Marie Russell, Shauna Kiernan and team captain Nicola Morrissey showed great leadership for the side who had former inter county goalkeeper Brendan Landers over the team this year.

No final is a one team affair and for Gailltir young Annie Fitzgerald was hugely impressive as was inter county player Emma Roche.

The first half of this game proved to be a very even contest. The sides were locked together on the scoreboard on five occasions in the opening 30 minutes, but it was the side from the west of the county that turned around holding a 1-5 to 0-7 advantage showing.

Aoife Hannon traded early points with Áine Lyng and Annie Fitzgerald before Nicola Morrissey and Grainne Kenneally got their names on the score sheet.

Annie Fitzgerald kept Gailltir in touch with some impressive shooting, but the 2016 champions would go in at the break behind, as Lismore on the half hour mark netted the games first goal when Aoife Hannon and Ruth Geogheghan linked up with Caitriona McGlone and when she had the sliotar in hand she had just one thing on her mind as she beat Ciara Jackman with an unstoppable drive into the corner of the net.

Caitriona McGlone went from score getter to score provider at the start of the second had as she set up Aoife Hannon for a fine score. Annie Fitzgerald pointed from a free following a foul on Áine Lyng after which Aoife Hannon put over a free following a foul on Sharon Williams.

Further points from Aoife Hannon and Shona Curran followed for the victors, meaning that Caitriona McGlone goal at the end of the first half was to be the difference between the sides (1-9 to 0-9) with nine minutes remaining.

Conversions from Áine Lyng and Clodagh Carroll followed for Gailltir to make it a one point game meaning that the side that showed the most hunger would win the game that is if there was to be a winner.

In the time that remained Lismore showed that greater hunger as they won a sixth county final since 2010.

Not for the first time and certainly not for the last time in her career Caithriona McGlone stepped up to the mark once more as she got inside the Gailltir defence late on in this game to hit a second goal to put her side four in front and they ensure victory was going to be late at the end of this game when Aoife Hannon put over her seven point of the game.  

Lismore: Tanya Morrissey; Sarah Coughlan, Shauna Prendergast, Ellen Curran; Aoife Houlihan, Shauna Kiernan, Marie Russell; Shona Curran, Sharon Williams; Ruth Geogheghan, Grainne Kenneally, Nicola Morrissey; Aoife Hannon, Caithriona McGlone, Johanna Houlihan. Sub: Emma Power for Johanna Houlihan.

Scorers: Aoife Hannon 0-7 (5fs, 1 45’), Caithriona McGlone 2-0, Grainne Kenneally, Nicola Morrissey, Shona Curran 0-1 each.

Gailltir: Ciara Jackman; Eilis Cullinane, Margo Heffernan, Claire Dunne; Emily Mahony, Emma Roche, Jenny O’Grady; Shauna Fitzgerald, Ciara O’Sullivan; Kate Lynch, Annie Glavey, Áine Lyng; Emer Walsh, Róisín Flood, Annie Fitzgerald. Subs: Trish Jackman for Annie Glavey, Clodagh Carroll for Róisín Flood, Leah Sheridan for Eilis Cullinane, Áine O’Keeffe for Emer Walsh.

Scorers: Annie Fitzgerald 0-6 (4fs), Áine Lyng 0-3 (3fs), Ciara O’Sullivan, Clodagh Carroll 0-1 each.

Referee: Liz Dempsey

Senior Hurling Championship Down To Last Four

The JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship is down to the last four after this weekend’s quarter final clashes all found results without going to extra time or a replay.

Defending champions Ballygunner became the first team to reach the last four when they easily accounted for city rivals Mount Sion at Walsh Park on Saturday afternoon.

The reigning champions had 20 points to spare at the end of the hour and were in control throughout the game going in at the break 0-16 to 0-7 in front.

For the winners Pauric Mahony as always was impressive in front of goal hitting a dozen of his 29 points, with Brian O’Sullivan hitting 7.

With The Gunners in this form, many will be asking who if anyone will stop them in Waterford this year, as they look for a fourth title in a row, but deep down they will be looking to win honours at at higher stage before the end of the year.

Mount Sion lead briefly at the start of this game when Martin F. O’Neill pointed a free inside the opening two minutes of this game, but they found scoring hard to achieve in this game, hitting just two points in the whole of the second half, while Ballygunner would hit a baker’s dozen to their first half tally in the second half.

Last years Intermediate Champions Lismore are also through to the last four after they accounted for Abbeyside in a thrilling game at Fraher Field on Saturday evening, a game that went right to the wire.

Lismore at the break looked to be in control as they lead 3-10 to 2-5, with Dan Shanahan hitting a brace of goals for the Cathedral Town side and Jordan Shanahan hit one, while the Village side had green flags waved from efforts by Mark Ferncombe and Tom Looby.

Maurice Shanahan helped his side to a 3-14 to 2-8 lead in the third quarter of this game, the towering Inter County player finishing with eight points behind his name on the score sheet, but he was upstaged on the night when it came to scoring as Mark Ferncombe hit 3-7 for the Village side who looked as if their hard work was going to earn them extra time on the night with time ticking down, but a Stevie Barry effort deep in stoppage time gave Lismore a 3-17 to 4-13 victory and a place in the hat for the semi final draw.

De La Salle booked their semi final spot today (Sunday) when they accounted for Fourmilewater on a 1-19 to 0-15 score line.

Kevin Moran featured prominently for the city side over the course of the hour, but it was Shane Ryan who proved to be their top tallies man, hitting 1-8 for the winners.

The only goal of the game came on 15 minutes which helped them to a 1-13 to 0-8 lead at the break, with Ryan accounting for 1-5 of his side’s first half tally.

Fourmilewater rallied hard in this game with solid performances from Inter County pair Conor Gleeson and Jamie Barron as well as free taker Dylan Guiry, but they had to play second fiddle to the city side who along with Moran and Ryan also had a good afternoon’s work from John Mullane who was substituted in the final quarter of this game.

Last year’s runners up Passage needed an injury time goal from Eoin Kelly to book their place in the last four of the competition when they took on Dungarvan in the last game of the weekend.

The Old Boro had to play second best for the entire first half on the score board as they went in at the break trailing 0-8 to 0-6, but at the midway point in the second half Derek Lyons side had drawn level and looked as if they could get something from this game.

With five minutes to play Michael Kiely gave Dungarvan a 0-14 to 0-12 lead but Passage would hit back with a brace of Owen Connors scores to level matters with a minute of normal time still to play.

With it looking as if the sides would require extra time to see which of these sides would go into the semi final draw, the former inter county player got hold of a high delivery from Liam Flynn and he blasted past Darren Duggan in the Dungarvan goal, putting three between the sides. Gavin Crotty pulled a point back for Dungarvan but it proved to be a mere consolation score for the Old Boro side.

Meanwhile the 2015 Intermediate Champions Portlaw are relegated to the Intermediate grade for 2018 after they lost out to Ballyduff Upper at Fraher Field on Saturday evening. The Tannery men avoided relegation last year when they beat Cappoquin in a relegation play off were always expected to be fighting relegation again this year, and on the night they went under to the Reds on a massive 3-23 to 0-8 score line, with Mikey Kearney hitting 2-5 for the winners.

The question has been asked many times in recent years and have to be asked again, with so many times coming up to the senior grade in recent years only for them to lose that place after a year or two, is it time that a Premier Intermediate or Senior B Championship was introduced in Waterford, as many of the clubs coming up are finding it hard to hold their own against the stronger senior sides in the county, while they are often proving to be too strong for many of the intermediate sides in their own division, making them in effect yo-yo clubs.

Former County Secretary Timmy O’Keeffe proposed such a competition a few years back, but his idea was knocked without much discussion. Maybe now is the time to re-examine the idea. If we want Waterford to be strong in hurling going forward then surly the introduction of a competition for those not quite strong enough to play senior hurling but that little too strong for the intermediate competitions we currently have to be introduced.

The draw for the semi finals of the senior hurling championship were made on Sunday evening.

Last year’s the Champions of 2013 Passage will play De La Salle who won the News and Star Cup in 2008, 2010 and 2012, while Ballygunner who are going for a fourth title in a row will play last year’s Intermediate Champions Lismore who have to go back to 1993 for their last senior Hurling Championship win.  

3 All-Ireland’s Won 25 Years Ago Recalled

The 25^th Anniversary of Waterford winning a second Senior Ladies Football All-Ireland Final was marked recently with the team that beat Laois on October 4, 1992 presented to the crowd during the programme of events at this year’s final at G.A.A. Headquarters which was attended by over 46,000 people.

25 years ago there was just over 3,100 in Croke Park to see Waterford beat Laois for the second year running.

1992 was a good year for the G.A.A. in Waterford and in particular the opening weeks of the final third to the year.

In hurling Waterford had reached the Minor Hurling All-Ireland Final where they lost out to Galway. A few weeks later Waterford drew with Offaly in the Under 21 Final at Nowlan Park and at the same venue at the end of January Tony Mansfield’s side emerged victorious.

And the counties ladies could do what the men could do as along with the Senior All-Ireland Final, the Counties Under 16 team be Wexford and the Under 14 side beat Monaghan either side of the win over Laois.

On September 19 Waterford and Wexford’s under 16 teams assembled at Walsh Park where Waterford would emerge 3-10 to 4-4 winners.

In a terrific game played between two evenly matched sides, the assembled attendance was kept spell bound right to the end.

Waterford with Player of the game Claire Ryan who kicked 2-6 of her sides tally, twice came from behind to eventually win this game. And while the Ballymacarbry Club lady was the side’s best player on the day, Waterford also had solid performances throughout the game from Julie Ann Torpey at centre back, Rebecca Hallahan and Catherine Walsh in the middle of the field and also from Ruth Ahearn in attack.

Wexford had a great start to this game going two goals up early in the game, but Waterford soon settled and his back with an Evelyn Mooney goal. But this score was to be a mere rest-bite in the Model County’s early onslaught as they kicked 1-1 without response to go seven points up with ten minutes played.

Slowly things began to change as Julie Ann Torpey began to show dominance at centre back ably assisted by wing backs Ann Harney and Denise Nugent.

Waterford also began to win a lot of ball around the middle of the field while in attack Claire Ryan and Ruth Ahearn began to torment the Wexford defence.

Claire Byrne, Catherine Walsh and Martina Beresford all hit points for Waterford, as Waterford trailed by six with 18 minutes played.

The remaining 12 minutes of the half were dominated by Waterford. Moreover, they were able to convert their evident superiority into the hard currency of scores, and by the half time whistle they were 3 points ahead.

Waterford in the remaining time in the first half proved to be the better of the two sides and went in at the break deservedly leading 3-6 to 3-3 at the break.

Catherine Walsh and Claire Ryan hit points before Claire Ryan hit a fantastic goal for the home side. Catherine Walsh and Deirdre O’Rourke combined to set up the Ballymacarbry player who showed great vision as she rounded her own marker and then took on two more defenders before planting the size 4 in the Wexford net and soon afterwards she notched her second goal of the game, this time set up by Evelyn Mooney. Waterford through Deirdre O’Rourke landed the last score of the half to go in leading by three.

Wexford began the second half scoring 1-1 to go one in front, but this was to be their last score of the game.

Waterford however finished the game strong as player of the match Claire Ryan kicked four further scores for Waterford who richly reserved this victory.

The Waterford team that beat Wexford that day was Mary Walsh (Na Déise); Sinead Hennessey (Kill), Karen Denn (Na Déise), Edel Lonergan (Na Déise); Denise Nugent (St. Pat's), Julie Ann Torpey (Kill), Ann Harney (Kilrossanty); Catherine Walsh (St. Pat's), Rebecca Hallahan (Ballymacarbry); Martina Beresford (St. Pat's), Claire Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Leah Murphy (Old Parish); Deirdre O'Rourke (Clashmore), Ruth Ahern (Kill), Evelyn Mooney (Kill). Subs. Anna Lisa Crotty (Ballymacarbry) for Mary Walsh, Naomi Flynn (Dunhill), Josephine Terry (St. Garvan's), Jenny Hallahan (Kilrossanty), Rachel Kiely (Kill), Carolyn Ahem (Kill), Gillian Denn (Na Déise), Suzy Kenneally (Kill), Sinead Wall (St. Pat's), Sarah Hickey (Brickey Rangers), Nollaig Sheehan (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty), Triona Whyte (Kilrossanty), Siobhan O'Regan (Ballymacarbry).

A number of this panel went on to make a name for themselves in the years that followed, playing at a higher grade, winning many honours. On a sad note, the Waterford goalkeeper Mary Walsh would die at all a too young an age a few years after this game.

October 4 must be a lucky date for Waterford when it comes to the G.A.A. for this was the date in 1959 when Waterford won the Liam McCarthy Cup for the second time and it was the date in 1992 that the Brendan Martin Cup came to Waterford for the second time.

The meeting of Waterford and Laois for the second year in a row was one that many looked forward to, especially as when the sides clashed in the All-Ireland final the previous year the game proved to be a thrilling contest.

To reach the final Waterford had to beat Kerry for the second year in a row in the Munster Final, which they done on a 0-8 to 1-1 score line. Kerry had dominated the game for a decade and that great team was beginning to break up, but a great team (and that what Kerry were) does not become a bad team over night, and deserved great credit for the way they beat the Kingdom’s finest.

Laois were no push over side either. They were no bad team either. In 1992 they were appearing in their fourth final in five years and in their third in a row, but had the misfortune of coming up against two fine fines in Kerry and Waterford in these finals.

Waterford under Michael Ryan prepared for this game well and were rewarded when they recorded a 2-10 to 3-4 win.

Waterford had a good start to this game as Caitriona Casey opened the scoring which was followed by a brilliant Áine Wall goal after she collected the ball after Bernie Ryan played a fifty metre pass over the Laois full back line, and anyone that remembers Áine Wall playing in the Waterford colours will recall that once she found herself in such positions there was only one place that the ball was going to end up.

But Waterford’s resolve was tested when Linda Brennan scored a first goal for the Midland County and then when Kathleen Murphy followed up with another major score for the Leinster champions.

But Waterford would finish the half strong as Áine Wall, Nóirín Walsh and Marie Crotty all landed points for Waterford as the sides headed to the dressing rooms under the now old Hogan Stand locked 2-3 to 1-6.

Waterford made full use of their strong second half wind advantage when Geraldine O'Ryan put Áine Wall through for their second goal three minutes after the re-start.

Marie Crotty kicked 3 great points, Claire Ryan made her debut when she came on as a substitute and Áine Wall had the final say to secure a memorable 2-10 to 3-4 victory.

Waterford — Patricia Butler (Ballymacarbry); Regina Byrne (Ballymacarbry), Martine O'Ryan (Ballymacarbry), June Whyte (Kilrossanty), Sinead Walsh (Ballymacarbry), Ann Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry), Cliona Walsh (Ballymacarbry); Bernie Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Nóirín Walsh (Ballymacarbry); Olivia Condon (Na Déise), Geraldine O'Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Caithriona Casey (Ballymacarbry); Fiona Crotty (Ballymacarbry), Áine Wall (Ballymacarbry), Marie Crotty (Ballymacarbry). Subs: Honor Lonergan (Na Déise) for Regina Byrne (Half time), Claire Ryan (Ballymacarbry) for Olivia Condon (40 mins.) Rest of the panel: Michelle Walsh (Ballymacarbry), Rosie Donnelly (Dunhill), Lorena Mooney (Kill), Julie Ann Torpey (Kill), Collette Whyte (Kilrossanty), Deirdre Wall (Ballymacarbry).

Scorers: Áine Wall 2-2 (1 free), Marie Crotty, 0-4 (3 frees), Caithriona Casey 0-2, Geraldine O'Ryan and Nóirín Walsh 0-1 each.

The Waterford mascots for this final were sisters Michelle and Louise Ryan who in the years that followed have gone on to have some great days in the Waterford shirt playing alongside younger sister Sinead.

Waterford completed a hat-trick of Ladies Football All-Ireland Finals in 1992 when the under 14 team recorded a 3-7 to 3-2 win over Monaghan at Timahoe in County Laois.

Just as was the case with the under 16 team a few weeks earlier, this was a side that had plenty of ability in it, some of whom went on to make a name for themselves on the bigger stage in the years to come. Also included were some of the under 16 panel that won at Walsh Park.

Waterford went into this game on the back of a good win over Kerry in the Munster Final and then Mayo in the semi finals, and were expected to do well against what was a good Monaghan side.

Rebecca Hallahan opened the scoring for Waterford in this game with a point on four minutes.

Waterford with Rebecca Hallahan and Carolyn Ahearn dominating in the middle of the field and with Deirdre O’Rourke, Sinead Kirwan and Triona Whyte in attack in fine form as Rebecca Hallahan kicked three further scores and Deirdre O’Rourke landed a goal to put Waterford in control.

Monaghan who had won the Junior All-Ireland Final the same day as Waterford beat Laois to win the senior decider with Jennifer Greenan playing a part, the Ulster side once more began to show the ability they had as they hit back with 2-1 in the closing minutes of the first half to go in at the break locked together on the score board.

Waterford began the second half going in from with Deirdre O’Rourke score after which Rebecca Hallahan extended the Déise Counties lead.

Monaghan to their credit did try and cause Waterford problems but they found Deirdre Nagle in goal as well as Sinead Hennessey, Sarah Hickey and Annalisa Crotty in the Waterford defence in fine form and found it hard to get inside them.

At the other end Paula Walsh scored two second half goals for Waterford which proved to be key scores, and while the Ulster side would hit 1-1 late on in the game, they proved to be mete consolation scores.

Waterford: Deirdre Nagle (St. Garvan's); Helen Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry), Sinead Hennessey (Kill), Fiona Sinnott (St. Garvan's); Sarah Hickey (Brickey’s), Edel Lonergan (Na Déise), Annalisa Crotty (Ballymacarbry); Carolyn Ahem (Kill), Rebecca Hallahan (Ballymacarbry); Triona Whyte (Kilrossanty), Deirdre O'Rourke (Clashmore), Aileen Walsh (Ballymacarbry); Sinead Kirwan (Kilrossanty), Fionnuala Barrett (Kill), Paula Walsh (Ballymacarbry). Subs. Claire Morrissey (St. Garvan's) for Fionnuala Barrett; Siobhan Ryan (Ballymacarbry) for Edel Lonergan; Catherine Prendergast (Kilrossanty), Ann Walsh (Ballymacarbry), Honor Flynn (Ballymacarbry), Michelle Donnelly (Kill), Aileen Crowley (Kill), Margaret Ronayne (St. Oliver’s), Lisa Lenane (St. Garvan's), Eilish O'Grady (Na Déise).