Waterford - A hurling Review (Part 1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Football in Waterford in 2013 - a review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A great Christmas Stocking Filler

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waterford GAA Yearbook currently available at the following outlets.

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

Ballysaggart create Déise History

Prior to the start of the 2013 Munster Junior Hurling Club Championship, the record of Waterford clubs competing in the competition was far from good.

When the competition began in 2004, Waterford’s then county champions, Tramore started well, beating the Ennistymon from Clare in a Munster semi final by four points in a low scoring game, but in the provincial final, they lost out to Ballygarvan 0-16 to 1-5.

The following year, Brickey Rangers represented Waterford in the competition, again entering at the semi final stages, but lost out to Tipperary side Knockshegowna by five points.

Fenor represented Waterford in 2006, but were not the county champions. They beat Meelick by eleven points in the Munster quarter finals but lost heavily to Kilworth in the Munster semi final.

Ballysaggart were county champions in 2007 but lost the Munster semi final by six points against Ballyroe, and in 2008, another Western Club represented Waterford by Modeligo lost heavily to Dripsey.

The County title remained in the west of the county in 2009 but Tourin lost at the first hurdle against Aherlow from Tipperary who had eight points to spare.

Ballydurn took on Saint Patrick’s from Tipperary in 2010 at Walsh Park and after sixty minutes the sides were tied but in the extra twenty minutes, the visiting side proved to be slightly the stronger of the two sides, loosing out by a goal.

In 2011, Ballinameela lost out to Cappamore by seven points and twelve months ago, Butlerstown who were beaten in the 2011 County Final after two replays (I stand to be corrected on that), came out on top against Geraldine’s but lost out to Kildorrery at the WIT Sports Campus by twenty points.

However, if one club could improve Waterford’s overall record in the competition it was Ballysaggart.

From the start of the year, they were a fancied side to come through in the west of the county, with last years beaten county finalist’s Geraldine’s and Colligan expected to prove the stiffest opposition.

They came through the West fairly comfortably, winning four of the five games they played in the semi league section of the competition.

The loss they suffered in the league section was against Modeligo, the side they played in the Western semi final, a game that ended 1-15 to 3-9. In the replay, things proved to be just as close but Ballysaggart managed to come through winning 2-17 to 1-17.

In the Western final they came up against Colligan who also needed a replay and extra time against Geraldine’s before they advanced.

Colligan were expected to provide stiff opposition in the final but Ballysaggart won comfortably and then beat Tramore in the County final, again rather comfortably.

Having come through the divisional and county championship, Ballysaggart were expected to mount serious challenge in Munster.

They won their fames against Grenagh and Knockshegowna much easier than the score line suggests to set up Sunday’s Munster Final against Feenagh-Kilmeedy.

The Waterford side went into the game as the favourites, a tag that does not always rest well on the shoulders of Waterford sides.

In many of their games to date, a good start was often crucial for Ballysaggart and so it proved to be again in this game.

The Limerick side were quickest off the mark with Edward Murphy pointing from a free early in the game, but it was cancelled out with a point from Stephen Bennett and then a goal from the same player on five minutes and then a point from younger brother Shane a minute later.

Jimmy O’Sullivan pulled a point back for the Limerick side, but points from Darren Meagher and Stephen Bennett soon followed to give Ballysaggart a 1-4 to 0-2 lead with twelve minutes played.

John O’Gorman and Christy Murphy swapped scores before Stephen Bennett with his fourth score of the game on eighteen minutes gave Ballysaggart a six point advantage.

Feenagh-Kilmeedy enjoyed much of the play in the final minutes of the first half.

Diarmuid and Edward Murphy reduced Ballysaggart’s lead by three points, with seven minutes plus stoppage time still to play in the opening half.

Points from Waterford minor stars Shane and Stephen Bennett eased Ballysaggart five points back in front, but Diarmuid Coleman and Edward Murphy again shared three points between then to leave just two between the sides at the break.

Stephen Bennett struck for the first score of the second half, but the Limerick side who had finished the first half strongly, began the second half just as strong as Diarmuid Coleman and John Lynch hit points in quick succession to leave just one between the sides.

It was not vital that Ballysaggart hit the next score, and what a score it proved to be as Ronan Walsh fired to the net to put Ballysaggart four points up.

Jimmy O’Sullivan and Darren Meagher for the respective sides swapped scores before Shane Bennett hit a crucial third goal for Ballysaggart on forty-two minutes which gave them a 3-10 to 0-12 advantage.

The Limerick side were expected to provide stiff opposition for Ballysaggart and so it proved to be as Diarmuid Coleman, Edward Murphy and John Nix hit a hat-trick of points between them to move within four of Ballysaggart.

However, with time running down it was goals that Feenagh-Kilmeedy wanted, but they found it hard to break down a tough Ballysaggart defence, and in particular to beat Matty Meagher between the posts.

Four points in hurling while it is a good lead, with time running down it’s a dangerous one, as one slip in concentration could allow the opposition in for a goal, and if they were to then win the puck out and send the ball over the bar for a point, the lead was wiped out.

Just as was the case when one point separated the sides just past the mid-way point of the third quarter, it was important that Ballysaggart scored next.

This is what they did, a pointed free from Stephen Bennett, and when the same player repeated the act moments later, victory was going to be Ballysaggart’.

While most now will look forward to feasting over the Christmas Period and some might over indulge on certain beverages, the Ballysaggart players will have to be a little more careful.

They have an All-Ireland coming up in the new year against St Joseph’s from Sligo, Adrian Meagher, Pat Bennett and the rest of the management team may allow their charges a little leeway to the players over the Christmas and New Year Period, they will not want them to over indulge and to keep their fitness levels as they are.

Ballysaggart and most of the sides around the county would be expect a hurling team from Waterford to prove too strong for a hurling team from Sligo, to completely write off their opponents would be foolish.

For Ballysaggart 2013 was a great year. A lot was achieved. I’m sure the year finished much better than most could have dreamed it would. However, they will be hoping that 2014 can start in the same way that 2013 finished. It wont be easy, but they have the ability for it to happen and will have the whole county backing them all the way from here on.

BALLYSAGGART: Matty Meagher; Bobby Ryan, Kieran Fennessy, Daniel Devine; Barry Murphy, Eugene O’Brien, Cailean O’Gorman; Christy Murphy, Kieran Bennett; Shane Bennett, Darren Meagher, Kenneth Cahill; Ronan Walsh, Stephen Bennett, Tom Bennett. Subs: Michael Kearney for Ronan Walsh (57mins), Cathal Fitzgerald for Tom Bennett (60mins), Shane Meagher for Shane Bennett (60mins).

Scorers: Stephen Bennett 1-8 (0-4frees), Shane Bennett 1-1, Ronan Walsh 1-0, Darren Meagher 0-2, Christy Murphy 0-1.

FEENAGH-KILMEEDY: Daniel Egan; James O’Regan, Liam Murphy, Nelius Irwin; Michael Bergin, Edward Murphy, John Gaffney; Donal Harrold, Gerard O’Gorman; Diarmuid Coleman, Peter Irwin, John O’Gorman; Liam Lynch, Jimmy O’Sullivan, Darragh Kiely. Subs: Brian Hannigan for Nelius Irwin (h-t), Patrick O’Regan for Gerard O’Gorman, (49mins), John Nix for Darragh Kiely (49mins), Dave O’Sullivan for Liam Lynch (58mins), Billy O’Sullivan for Peter Irwin (58mins).

SCORERS: Diarmuid Coleman 0-6 (4frees, 2 ‘65), Edward Murphy 0-4 (4frees), Jimmy O’Sullivan 0-2, John O’Gorman, John Lynch, John Nix 0-1 each.

REFEREE: John O’Brien (Tipperary). 

Ballysaggart Seek Munster Glory

Barring the need for a replay, what has proven to be a very successful year for the Ballysaggart Club should come to an end on Sunday afternoon they will be hoping that it ends on a high as they take on Limerick side Feenagh-Kilmeedy in the Munster Junior Club hurling final at the superb complex in the North Cork town of Mallow.

There can be no doubting that the journey to this year’s Munster Final for Ballysaggart is an epic one.

The side that is picked from a tiny community, possibly the second smallest in Co Waterford behind Melleray/Glen Rovers and just ahead of Old Parish have impressed many this year.

They have come through a tough Western Championship. In their five league games in the championship, they won four games, beating Geraldine’s Colligan, Kilgobinet and Saint Mary’s. The only loss they suffered this year in the championship was against Modeligo, the side that they beat in the semi finals at the near by Castle Farm Grounds in Lismore, but only after a replay.

Strangely, their opponents in the Western Final, Colligan also needed a replay at the semi final stages of the championship against Geraldine’s before advancing to the final.

The Divisional final was expected to be a close one. However, it did not turn out to be the case.

Colligan a week before the game won the first leg of what they were hoping to be a Western Junior Double and there was some that had a feeling that the celebrations that naturally followed that win could take an effect on the next game that was to come and it could be said that this proved to be the case.

Ballysaggart won the game, easier than what most expected, which set up a County Final over the October Bank Holiday Weekend against Tramore, who were fancied by many. Tramore had hoped that their appeal to avoid relegation at the end of 2012 could be over-turned and when it wasn’t, they and Ballydurn who had benefitted from the fact that Kilrossanty were not fielding in the Junior hurling championship this year were expected to be the sides to be the sides most likely to move up the Intermediate Grade for 2014.

But Ballysaggart spoiled the expected party and they won at Walsh Park with some ease to ensure that they would be moving up to the Intermediate grade in 2014.

The win set up a Munster Quarter Final with newly crowned Cork Champions, Grenagh who a week before the game at Fraher Field beat a Kilbrin side who were appearing in their third final in a row.

With Cork star Tom Kenny in their line up, the visitors were expected to prove tough opposition for the Waterford champions, and while the three points that separated the sides at the end of the game would suggest that there was little to separate the sides, in truth Ballysaggart were much the better of the sides on the day, and could have won the game by a bigger margin. Midway through the second half, Ballysaggart were well in control, but when a log delay as a Grenagh player was carried from the field after picking up a serious injury, the flow in the Ballysaggart game was broken, while the visitors upped their effort to make up for the loss that they suffered.

The Cork side fought back to lever matters at 1-9 a piece, but three points, all from Stephen Bennett ensured that the Waterford side advanced.

Ballysaggart’s opponents in the Munster Semi Final were Knockshegowna from Tipperary. They came into the game with a serious disadvantage. They exited the Tipperary championship at the semi final changes, but represented the county in Munster after two second string sides reached the county final this year.

Again Ballysaggart proved too strong in this game. Their recent championship games stood to them and easily accounted for Knockshegowna to set up this weekend’s game.

The Limerick side have come through to this weekend’s game after some tough battles. After winning the Tipperary Championship, they beat Kerry’s Intermediate Champions Kenmare Shamrocks in the Munster Quarter finals and last time out they beat Clare Junior Champions Bodyke.

Like Ballysaggart they have within their ranks a mix of youth and experience.

While Stephen Bennett will be seen to be the main threat to the Limerick side on Sunday, they are by no means a one man team.

His brothers Kieran and Shane are also vital to the team. All three appear to have inherited the skill that their father Pat had when he donned the Blue and Navy shirt of Ballysaggart in the past along with the white and blue of Waterford.

Throw in the likes of goal keeper Matty Meagher, Barry Murphy who was the hero in the win over Knockshegowna, Eugene O’Brien, Christy Murphy and Ronan Walsh amongst others and you can see the potential that is in the team. They also have plus going for them this weekend and reports suggest that Ken Cashell has turned home after a spell abroad and if selected his inclusion will be seen as a major plus to the side’s chances.

Ballysaggart appear to have set one goal this year, not to look beyond the next game and to date it has worked. This weekend they won’t be looking beyond the game with the Limerick side.

Ballysaggart will fancy their chances of winning this weekend’s Munster Final. If they didn’t, it would be a pointless exercise in travelling across the county boundary for the game.

Waterford’s overall record in the Munster Junior Championship is far from good, but Ballysaggart have done a lot to improve Waterford’s win to games played ratio this year. Should they win this weekend, it will not only be good for the people of Ballysaggart, but also good for Hurling in Waterford in general, as it will give sides that will represent the county in the future confidence that they too could go all the way.