Minor Hurling Fixtures 2014

De La Salle won the County Minor Hurling Championship in 2013. Who will win in 2014? Here are the fixtures. Games in Round 1 will go ahead as planned but after that things may change if Waterford progress in the championship.

 

County Minor Hurling Championship

Division One Fixtures

Round             Home Team    Away Team                Venue              Day     Date    Time

One                 Ballygunner     Roanmore                   Ballygunner     Wed.    July 2  7-30pm

One                 Cois Bhride     Mount Sion                  Tallow              Wed.    July 2  7-30pm

One                 De La Salle     St Carthages               Gracedieu       Wed.    July 2  7-30pm

One                 Passage          Dungarvan                  Passage          Wed.    July 2  7-30pm

 

Two                 Dungarvan      Cois Bhride                 Dungarvan      Wed.    July 9  7-30pm

Two                 Dungarvan      Ballygunner                 Lismore           Wed     July 9  7-30pm

Two                 Roanmore       Passage                      Gracedieu       Wed     July 9  7-30pm

Two                 Mount Sion      De La Salle                 Mount Sion      Wed     July 9 7-30pm

 

Three               De La Salle     Ballygunner                 Gracedieu       Wed     July 23  7-30pm

Three               Mount Sion      Dungarvan                  Mount Sion      Wed     July 23  7-30pm

Three               St. Carthages  Passage                      Lismore           Wed     July 23  7-30pm

Three               Cois Bhride     Roanmore                   Tallow              Wed     July 23 7-30pm

 

Four                 St. Carthages  Cois Bhride                 Lismore           Wed     Aug 8   7-15pm

Four                 Ballygunner     Passage                      Ballygunner     Wed     Aug 8   7-15pm

Four                 Dungarvan      De La Salle                 Dungarvan      Wed     Aug 8   7-15pm

Four                 Roanmore       Mount Sion                  Gracedieu       Wed     Aug 8   7-15pm

 

Five                 Cois Bhride     Ballygunner                 Tallow              Wed     Aug 20 7pm

Five                 Dungarvan      Roanmore                   Dungarvan      Wed     Aug 20 7pm

Five                 De La Salle     Passage                      Gracedieu       Wed     Aug 20 7pm

Five                 Mount Sion      St Carthages               Mount Sion      Wed     Aug 20 7pm

 

Six                   Passage          Cois Bhride                 Passage          Wed     Sept 3  6-30pm

Six                   Passage          Mount Sion                  Ballygunner     Wed     Sept 3  6-30pm

Six                   Roanmore       De La Salle                 Gracedieu       Wed     Sept 3  6-30pm

Six                   St Carthages   Dungarvan                  Lismore           Wed     Sept 3  6-30pm

 

Seven              Roanmore       St Carthages               Gracedieu       Sat       Sept 6  3pm

Seven              Passage          Mount Sion                  Passage          Sat       Sept 6  3pm

Seven              Dungarvan      Ballygunner                 Dungarvan      Sat       Sept 6  3pm

Seven              De La Salle     Cois Bhride                 Gracedieu       Sat       Sept 6 3pm

 

County Minor Hurling Championship

Division Two Fixtures

Round             Home Team    Away Team                Venue              Day     Date    Time

Play-off 1        Brickeys          Fourmilewater             Colligan           Sat       28 June 2-30pm

Play-off 2        Tramore          St Declan’s Thoir        Kill                   Sat       28 June 2-30pm

Winners of play offs play in Division two, losers play in Division three.

 

Round 1          Abbeyside       Play off 1                    Abbeyside       Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          Glenshelane    Clonea                         Cappoquin       Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          Clan na Geal   Ferrybank                   Dunhill             Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          Sacred Heart  Play-off 2                    Erin’s Own      Wed     2 July  7-30pm

 

Round 2          Play off 2                    Glenshelane    TBC                 Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          Ferrybank                   Abbeyside       Ferrybank       Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          Play off 1                    Sacred Heart  T.B.C.              Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          Clonea                         Clan Na Gael  Clonea             Wed     9 July  7-30pm

 

Round 3          Clan Na Gael              Abbeyside       Dunhill             Wed     23 July            7-30pm

Round 3          Clonea                         Play Off 2       Clonea             Wed     23 July            7-30pm

Round 3          Ferrybank                   Sacred Heart  Ferrybank       Wed     23 July            7-30pm

Round 3          Glenshelane                Play-off 1        Cappoquin       Wed     23 July            7-30pm

 

Round 4          Ferrybank                   Glenshelane    Ferrybank       Wed     6 Aug   7-15pm

Round 4          Abbeyside                   Sacred Heart  Abbeyside       Wed     6 Aug   7-15pm

Round 4          Play-off 2                    Clan na Gael   TBC                 Wed     6 Aug   7-15pm

Round 4          Play-off 1                    Clonea             TBC                 Wed     6 Aug   7-15pm

 

Round 5          Glenshelane                Abbeyside       Cappoquin       Wed     20 Aug 7pm

Round 5          Play-off 2                    Play-off 1        T.B.C               Wed     20 Aug 7pm

Round 5          Clan na Gael               Sacred Heart  Dunhill             Wed     20 Aug 7pm

Round 5          Clonea                         Ferrybank       Clonea             Wed     20 Aug 7pm

 

Round 6          Sacred Heart              Glenshelane    Erin’s Own      Wed     3 Sept  6-30pm

Round 6          Abbeyside                   Clonea             Abbeyside       Wed     3 Sept  6-30pm

Round 6          Play-off 1                    Clan Na Gael  T.B.C               Wed     3 Sept  6-30pm

Round 6          Ferrybank                   Play-off 2        Ferrybank       Wed     3 Sept  6-30pm

 

Round 7          Play-off 1                    Ferrybank       T.B.C               Sat       6 Sept   3pm

Round 7          Sacred Heart              Clonea             Erin’s Own      Sat       6 Sept    3pm

Round 7          Play off 2                    Abbeyside       T.B.C.              Sat       6 Sept    3pm

Round 7          Clan Na Gael              Glenshelane    Dunhill             Sat       6 Sept    3pm

 

County Minor Hurling Championship

Division Three – group one  Fixtures

Round             Home Team    Away Team                Venue              Day     Date    Time

Play-off 2        Tramore          St Declan’s Thoir        Kill                   Sat       28 June 2-30pm

Winners of play offs play in Division two, losers play in Division three.

 

Round 1          Portlaw            Saint Mary’s                Portlaw            Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          Stradbally        Saint Saviours             Stradbally        Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          St Oliver’s       Play off 2                    Ballinameela   Wed     2 July  7-30pm

 

Round 2          St Saviours     Saint Oliver’s               Ballybeg          Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          St Mary’s         Stradbally                    Kill                   Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          Play off 2        Portlaw                        TBC                 Wed     9 July  7-30pm

 

Round 3          St Saviours     Play off 2                    Ballybeg          Wed     23 July            7-30pm

Round 3          St Mary’s         St Oliver’s                   Kill                   Wed     23 July            7-30pm

Round 3          Stradbally        Portlaw                        Stradbally        Wed     23 July            7-30pm

 

Round 4          Portlaw            St Saviours                 Portlaw            Wed     6 August 7-15pm

Round 4          St. Oliver’s      Stradbally                    Ballinameela   Wed     6 August 7-15pm

Round 4          Play Off 2       St Mary’s                     T.B.C.              Wed     6 August 7-15pm

 

Round 5          Portlaw            St Oliver’s                   Portlaw            Wed     20August 7pm

Round 5          Stradbally        Play Off 2                   Stradbally        Wed     20 August 7pm

Round 5          St Mary’s         St Saviour’s                 Kill                   Wed     20 August 7pm

 

County Minor Hurling Championship

Division Three – Group Two Fixtures

Round             Home Team    Away Team                Venue              Day     Date    Time

Play-off 1        Brickeys          Fourmilewater             Colligan           Sat       28 June 2-30pm

Winners of play offs play in Division two, losers play in Division three.

 

Round 1          Naomh Brid     Ardmore                      Colligan           Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          An Gaeltacht   Clashmore                  Ring                 Wed     2 July  7-30pm

Round 1          Ballyduff          Play-off 1                    Ballyduff          Wed     2 July  7-30pm

 

Round 2          Clashmore      Ballyduff                      Clashmore      Wed     9July   7-30pm

Round 2          Ardmore          An Gaeltacht               Ardmore          Wed     9 July  7-30pm

Round 2          Play-off1         Naomh Brid                 TBC                 Wed     9 July  7-30pm

 

Round 3          Clashmore      Play-off 1                    Clashmore      Wed     23 July              7-30pm

Round 3          Ardmore          Ballyduff                      Ardmore          Wed     23 July              7-30pm

Round 3          An Gaeltacht   Naomh Brid                 Ring                 Wed     23 July              7-30pm

 

Round 4          Naomh Brid     Clashmore                  Colligan           Wed     6 August  7-15pm

Round 4          Ballyduff          An Gaeltacht               Ballyduff          Wed     6 August 7-15pm

Round 4          Play-off 1        Ardmore                      TBC                 Wed     6 August 7-15pm

 

Round 5          Naomh Brid     Ballyduff                      Colligan           Wed     20 August 7pm

Round 5          An Gaeltacht   Play-off 1                    Ring                 Wed     20 August 7pm

Round 5          Ardmore          Clashmore                  Ardmore          Wed     20 August 7pm

Top four teams in Divisions one and two into the semi finals. – Semi final draw 1V4; 2v3

Top team in both groups in division three into semi finals. Second and third teams play a quarter final. Quarter final draw – 2v3 3v2.

 

Wexford raise the barrier when it comes to Public Relations in the GAA

If you know me, and I am sure many will, you will know that I have never got to play a game of hurling or football in my lifetime. OK, I tell a lie, I have stood between the posts for a puck about, half hoping that those playing against my side will take it easy on me, and I have stood at the other end hoping to make a nuisance of myself standing on what was the edge of an imaginary square, but I have never played in an official game.

Despite not playing the games in my lifetime, it has never taken from my enjoyment of the games.

There is some that believe that to be involved in games you have to have played. There is some that believe you don’t know anything about the games unless you have played. But to me this is not the case.

Most of us at some stage or another will have played either hurling/camogie or Football. For most there playing games were while in primary school. Getting involved after all meant that you may have got off after lunch and had had to travel to a venue driven by mostly one of a small number of very loyal mothers of the players. However, many would have soon learned that no matter how hard they tried, hurling and football was not to be for them.

For others they would have learned that hurling or football for them was not to be for them came at a later age. It may be at under 14, 16 or minor levels. It may have been the case that there was twenty one in the panel and that you were the one that never got to go on in a competitive game, or if it was challenge game, you were the last player always to be put on.

While many people give up playing at an early age, these same people should realise that if they want to remain involved in the games, it need not be as a supporter standing on the side line or sitting in the stand. Within the GAA there is a roll for everyone if you want it.

Many people see the GAA as playing hurling or football. Many forget that Rounder’s and Handball are part of the GAA. But for those that see the GAA as playing, how wrong can they be.

Every team needs a team to oversee the running of the team. Every team needs a coach of one degree or another. Every manager and coach will need someone to help them pick the team. Many modern managers and coaches like to have someone to keep stats for them and the good news for people who see themselves as fillers of these positions you need not have played to the highest of standards, but don’t tell that to everyone.

Every club needs someone to look after how it is run. It would be wrong to ask managers, coaches, players, selectors etc. to run the club as well as play for the club etc. Each club need organisers. The club needs people that will go out and help organise events that will pay for footballs, Hurleys, sliothars, insurance etc. Club Lotto tickets will have to be sold. The Weekly 45 card drive on a Saturday night in the local pub after mass will have to be organised. The playing pitch will have to be cut and maintained. The dressing rooms have to be kept clean and tidy. Many of these jobs can be taken by people who have retired from playing after a long career, or a career that ended at a young age.

The GAA is more than about one club. Someone has to be appointed each year that will look out for all the interests of all clubs in a division and county. Fixtures have to be made for the inter county and more importantly for the none inter county players. To do this is not easy.

Referees and venues have to be found for these games. They don’t just happen. Someone has to be got to look after stewarding at games, to collect the admission fee, to operate the score board, to have the dressing rooms ready, the pitch cut and lines with flags put out.

For larger games someone has to be got to liaise with the emergency services. An ambulance or two will have to be on stand-by and have First Aid personnel in attendance. The Gardai will have to be worked closely with for the movement of traffic away from the ground after a game.

Someone has to be found that will liaise with the media, letting people know of when and where games are played and any special operations will be in place on the day.

And someone will have to be found that will oversee the actions of everyone and ensure that they do the job they are tasked with.

For me, over the past twenty years, this is where my interest in the GAA lies. In this time I have filled a number of positions, with a different degree of success.

I turned up a few years ago to see the county under 14 hurling finals at Fraher Field in Dungarvan as a neutral. For the first game the referee turned up short an umpire and I allowed myself to be talked into doing the job. And when the referee for the second and third games also showed up minus their quota of umpires, I again allowed myself to keeping the white coat on.

I have stood in the middle of the field for primary school games and for under 12 games with a whistle in my hand. We all know to be a referee is not easy and I have discovered this. Right from the off, you are sure of someone saying something to you. I have got it myself, but most of the time it goes in one ear and straight out the other. A memorable piece of abuse came when refereeing a primary schools girl’s football game and I accepted a phone call during the game.

I have stood on the side line for Under 12 and primary school games. If the players were expecting expert coaching they would be left disappointed. However at all times I tried to give as much encouragement as possible, especially if things were not going great for a player. On the line there is also plenty of abuse to be got at times if you allowed it affect you, especially if Paddy or Mary got to play nine minutes of a game and Johnny or Biddy got to play eleven minutes.

However, it is in the administration side of things that I enjoyed most over the years and especially in my first seven or eight years involved in Bord na nÓg.

I first got involved in the mid 90’s more by accident than anything else.

I attended a Club AGM. The Chairman from the year before had indicated that he was standing down and there was to be a contest to replace him.

Many of the officers and committee members from the previous years decided to stand down or try for a different position.

The Chairman’s position was filled. The position of Secretary and Treasurer and their assistants was filled and then it came to the position of PRO which had also become available.

I was sitting near the back of the room, staying nice and quite. About ten or twelve people were proposed and seconded for the position, but each as you do thanked your proposer and seconder buy politely turned down the job. People were looking at their watches and standing to get maybe a little bored, and when I was asked I said to myself ‘feck this’ and accepted the position. I remained in the position for just over two years before standing down to take up another position.

In the years in between, I have filled different positions. I was a chairman, an acting chairman, a secretary, an assistant secretary and a committee member of different clubs and committees. I was even one of a few people that tried to set up a Camogie Club about ten years ago.

Of all the positions I have held, it is that of Public Relations that I most enjoyed.

When I started off, while email was possibly available, most would never have heard of it.

Match reports and notes had to be hand written or typed twice and dropped into the offices of the Dungarvan Leader and Dungarvan Observer on a Sunday evening.

When I got clever, the notes were put together once, and they were left in the letterbox of the local correspondent with number of papers and it was up to her how she decided how she got them to the papers she was compiling local notes for.

In the different positions I have held I feel that I have learned something new.

I have stood for other positions in the past but have not got them. I have never asked for votes but have let people know I was standing for this position or that position, and hoped that my reputation would win me the place if there was to be a contest. This I have however discovered is not going to get you places at times.

Had I got these positions I feel I may have brought something new to the table, and possibly would have pressed for things to be none differently.

For now, I have decided not to stand for any position for the time being. However I am going to keep my interest in the GAA alive. With five and a half years now, I am helping out with the GAA Coverage in the Munster Express. I have set up a twitter account and try and give updates on it of games as they are played and to give team news etc. I have set up a Facebook page to go with it and try and get as many of my tweets as possible to transfer across to it. I have set up my own blog where I try and preview and review games in both codes for both men and women’s games.

Last year I started another blog which I use for sports involving women. Women sports at times find it hard to get coverage, and this is a chance for them to do so without any charge, and its not open to just Ladies Football and Camogie. If you know of anyone involved in women’s sports let them know my contact details and get them to email me their notes each week.

To me the G.A.A. cannot get enough coverage, both for the men’s and the women’s games.

To me the more use the GAA makes of the media available to them the better.

Most clubs up to recently would have used the local papers as a way of promoting themselves. In recent years however, editors have had to cut the number of pages in their paper each week and in doing so they may have had to cut or edit what is forwarded to them for publication.

The task of the editor is not easy if things have to be left out. He or she will have to decide what goes and what stays. And what clubs may consider important may not be considered important to the editor, meaning the results of the draw during the card night has to be left out when the paper goes to print.

Therefore if clubs want to advertise things like this, they have to find other ways of going so. It is important that they use as many media sources as possible to get their message out each week.

Facebook is a way of doing this. The Club PRO or Secretary each week could upload the club notes onto an official Club page for those not just at home but more importantly for those away from home to keep up with what is happening in their home area. It is often the small things that mean most to these people.

Websites is another way of getting the message out. Clubs that have one should be uploading their notes each week.

There is a large amount of people in the Waterford city area who do not pick up the Dungarvan Observer or Dungarvan Leader each week to find out what is happening in clubs in the west of the county, and I am sure there is a many in places like Touraneena, Ballymacarbry, Lismore, Tallow and Ballyduff Upper who do not pick up the Munster Express or the Waterford News and Star to read what clubs in the east of the county are doing. Uploading notes to a club website or Facebook page would allow many to keep up to date with what is happening at the other end of the county.

Clubs and Boards should also realise that its not just there own website they could be using to get their message out.

For example how many are aware that the Waterford Ladies Football notes each week are available to read on the Munster Ladies Football Website and that the Waterford Camogie Notes are available on the camogie section of the Hogan Stand website.

Twitter should also be used by clubs. Twitter is with us with a while now, but in the past year or so has really taken off.

Every club should have an official twitter account. Clubs should be giving their starting line up before every game on it. They should be giving scores as they happen. Details of subs should be given. There may be some that will say if a person wants to know what is happening at a game they will be at it, but it’s important that not everyone can attend games as they used to and they want to keep up with what is happening.

A number of times in recent months without naming names on my twitter account I have commented on the number of clubs without a twitter account or a Facebook Account. The number without them has fallen in recent weeks. It would be great to see all clubs with accounts soon and for every club to keep them bang up to date.

It is also great to see the Ladies Football and Camogie Club start Facebook and Twitter pages but it would be great to see more get involved and again to keep them right up to date.

The amount of ways we have to promote Gaelic Games has risen over the past few years and hopefully in the years to come we will have more come our way. The local papers and local and community radio stations do a great job but they can only do a certain amount for us.

The deal with Sky Sports to show games has to be welcomed. It brings our games to a whole new group of people and no doubt will benefit the Association in the years to come. Anyone that have seen what Sky are doing can only be impressed despite reservations by many when the deal was announced.

There are those that knock the Sky Sports deal, but these are often the same people that knock everything. You find these people everywhere and not just in the GAA. What some of the knockers have to complain about at times in very petty, maybe a wrong caption on the screen.

If the Sky Sports deal is to be welcomed then so too should what the GAA in Wexford are doing.

Last Friday night at 10pm Wexford GAA TV hit our screens on Sky Channel 192. For half an hour with no ad breaks we got to hear what is happening in Wexford with their inter county teams.

It’s a show I am looking to seeing more of. Hopefully in the coming weeks we will see the programme focuses on things like the club championships in the Model County and if the programme takes off maybe it could be extended to an hour.

The show reminded me of one similar which came from Cork in the past and which was shown on South Coast TV. The show was presented by Trevor Welsh who went on to join TV3 and showed action from the senior hurling and football championships in Cork.

The new Wexford Programme has taken Public Relations within the GAA to a new level. Will other counties follow suit? I hope so. There could be a market for similar programmes from different counties.

Wexford GAA (Men and Women) boards have not raised the standard of public relations within the GAA to a new level. The challenge is gone out now to other counties to do as Wexford have started to do or maybe to raised the barrier even higher with something even newer for the GAA. I look forward to seeing how others will respond.

Cork outclass Waterford and advance to meet Clare

A crowd of just over 22,000 saw Cork easily fends off Waterford in a replayed Munster Senior Hurling Quarter Final at Thurles.

Two weeks ago the two sides fought out an exciting battle at the same venue which the outcome of was in doubt until the final whistle despite the fact that Waterford at one stage held a nine point advantage.

In the drawn game, the fact that so many of the Cork forwards that impressed in helping their side reach last years All-Ireland disappointed, but on this occasion, the Cork forwards impressed throughout, with Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane the pick of the bunch.

Waterford never reached the same intensity in their play that they showed in the replayed game.

With Cork slow out of the traps in the last number of games they played, a good start just as they had in the drawn game was a must for Waterford, but despite hitting the first score of the game it never happened.

The early exchanges saw Pauric Mahony and Seamus Harnedy swap scores, but Waterford were to receive an early wallop when Noel Connors who carried an injury into the game was forced off and was replaced by Padraig Prendergast.

Hindsight is always a great thing, but you have to question the wisdom of starting a player that is likely to have to go off with an injury as it could mean that a sub would have to be used early on, something that could well cost the side later as other players begin to tire.

Patrick Horgan gave Cork the lead for the first time but it was wiped out quickly when the impressive Colin Dunford stuck his first championship score for Waterford.

Brian O’Sullivan edged Waterford back in front on twelve minutes, but it was to be the last time in the game that Waterford lead as Patrick Horgan levelled matters two minutes later and from here on in, it was Cork all the way.

Horgan hit a points tally in the double digits for Cork in this game and on the quarter of an hour mark he edged Cork back in front with a point from play that it could just as easily have gone under the Waterford Crossbar.

Another Horgan effort and one from Bill Cooper followed which gave the Rebels a 0-6 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane knocked over points for Cork to give them a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage on nineteen minutes, but Pauric Mahony would pull a point back for Waterford a minute later.

Horgan and Harnedy followed with efforts from Horgan again and Mahony had Cork in front by six with twenty-seven minutes played.

Alan Cadogan put Cork seven in front which was followed by an effort from Daniel Kearney which had Cork looking like victors with some ease even if the second half and the closing minutes of the first half were still to come.

Two minutes from time, Cork won a penalty and it was no surprise to see net-minder Anthony Nash make his way up the field to strike from twenty metres, or more correctly lift the ball from twenty metres.

The Kanturk Club mans striking at goal have been a source of debate over some time but sooner rather than later the G.A.A. will have to look at penalty taking or striking close in frees if for nothing else but for the safety of players.

As soon as Nash lifted the ball his Waterford counterpart raced out of the Waterford goal and when the Cork man actually struck the ball there was literally inches between the two. The Ballygunner Club man managed to save the penalty but on the rebound Bill Cooper popped the ball over the bar which gave Cork a 0-14 to 0-5 lead at the break.

The Nash Penalty/Free as they have become known was to be debated at this year’s convention but the topic was removed from the Clár. However, how long more the GAA can allow things as they stand to continue remains to be seen.

While some will say that there is nothing wrong with what Nash and other goalkeepers are now going, sooner rather than later someone is going to get hurt.

What Stephen O’Keeffe did today will have others trying the same, GAA officials will have to ask themselves if what the Ballygunner Club man did today is within the rules?

While he is to be congratulated in showing great bravery, the question has to be asked should Johnny Ryan have asked for the penalty to be retaken as the rules state that those on the line have to remain on their line until the ball is struck and not lifted.

On the way Nash takes penalties, maybe Officials can introduce a rule (or maybe enforce one that exists) whereby a player advances past the point where a free is to be taken to strike it, the free is cancelled and the ball is thrown in between two players.

However a rule could also be introduced whereby if a player wants to lift and run with the ball before striking it, there would be nothing to stop him bringing the ball away from the goal before striking after lifting.

Cork hit the first score of the second half two minutes after the restart when Conor Lehane dissected the posts.

Shane O’Sullivan pulled a point back for Waterford but it was followed with a brace of Patrick Horgan scores which gave Cork a 0-17 to 0-6 lead on forty minutes.

The impressive Colin Dunford pilled another point back for Waterford but Conor Lehane from a long Anthony Nash delivery soon had Cork back in front by eleven.

Waterford introduced the experienced duo of Maurice Shanahan and Stephen Molumphy for the injured Colin Dunford and Brian O’Sullivan, but Waterford were too far behind to make any real impact and with Waterford struggling for goals all year, this is exactly what was needed to crawl back into contention, but Waterford never looked like raising a green flag.

Pauric Mahony and Daniel Kearney swapped scored to keep Cork eleven points up with twenty three minutes still to play which was followed by a Patrick Horgan brace.

Shane Walsh pulled a point back for Waterford at the start of the final quarter, but it was goals that Waterford needed at this point.

Conor Lehane and Christopher Joyce hit points inside a two minute spell which had Cork leading by twelve, which was followed by a great save from Stephen O’Keeffe from a Patrick Cronin effort.

Bill Cooper put Cork thirteen in front just before Paudie O’Sullivan made his return to Championship hurling after a year out due to injury and within a minute of coming on the Pebble from Cloyne had his name on the score sheet.

Austin Gleeson struck a brace and Pauric Mahony slotted over a sixty-five to leave Waterford trailing by thirteen with six minutes of the game remaining.

Credit Waterford however, they did not give up and Shane Walsh was unlucky not to have raised a green flag with five minutes to go but his shot was stopped by Anthony Nash.

Paudie O’Sullivan landed another score with four minutes to go after which Rob O’Shea and Richie Foley swapped scores.

Austin Gleeson hit his third of the game with a minute to go and seconds later Cork sub Stephen Moylan ended a miserable afternoon for Waterford when he got on the score sheet with a score that gave cork a 0-28 to 0-14 lead.

Cork now play Clare in next weekends semi finals, while for Waterford, a tough game against Kilkenny or Galway, Dublin or Wexford, Laois or Antrim or maybe Offaly awaits in a few weeks.

CORK: Anthony Nash; Shane O’Neill, Damien Cahalane, Stephen McDonnell; Christopher Joyce, Mark Ellis, Lorcan McLoughlin; Daniel Kearney, Alan Walsh; Seamus Harnedy, Bill Cooper, Conor Lehane; Alan Cadogan, Patrick Cronin, Patrick Horgan. Subs: Stephen Moylan for Alan Cadogan (59), Brian Lawton for Alan Walsh (59), Paudie O’Sullivan for Daniel Kearney (60), William Egan for Lorcan McLoughlin (64), Rob O’Shea Bill for Cooper (64).

Scorers: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (5 frees), Conor Lehane 0-4, Seamus Harnedy, Bill Cooper 0-3 each, Paudie O’Sullivan, Daniel Kearney 0-2 each, Christopher Joyce, Alan Cadogan, Stephen Moylan, Rob O’Shea 0-1 each.   

WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors; Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh, Tadhg Burke; Shane O’Sullivan, Kevin Moran; Jake Dillon, Austin Gleeson, Pauric Mahony; Colin Dunford, Brian O’Sullivan, Shane Walsh. Subs: Padraig Prendergast for Noel Connors (5), Richie Foley for Jamie Nagle (41), Maurice Shanahan for Colin Dunford (45), Stephen Molumphy for Brian O’Sullivan (47), Stephen Prendergast for Jake Dillon (51).

Scorers: Paudie Mahony 0-5 (3 frees, 1 ’65), Austin Gleeson 0-3, Colin Dunford 0-2, Brian O’Sullivan, Shane Walsh, Richie Foley, Shane O’Sullivan 0-1 each.  

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).

Waterford and Clare to do it all over again.

Waterford and Clare will have to do it all over again to see who will play Kerry in the semi finals of this year’s Munster Senior Football Championship after the two sides ended in deadlock at Cusack Park in Ennis on Saturday evening.

Waterford would have gone into this game believing that they would advance to the next phase of the championship.

Clare looked to be the slightly better of the two sides for much of the game and looked as though they would be setting up a game with Kerry when they went 1-7 to 1-3 in front with just over twenty minutes of the game still to play, but a stubborn Waterford side refused to read such a script and three unanswered points at the end of the game will mean the sides will have to do it all over again.

The home side had a terrific start to this game, as ace forward David Tubridy landed an early point which was added to by an Enda Coughlan goal on six minutes after he finished to the net at the second attempt after Shane McGrath who had linked up well with Jamie Malone but McGrath’s initial attempt failed to get past Stephen Enright.

Gaultier’s JJ Hutchinson responded with a brace of points for Waterford to leave three between the sides with nine minutes on the clock.

Waterford were somewhat unlucky not to have drawn level as the home side did well to keep a Liam Ó Lonáin shot destined for the back of the net from reaching its intended target.

A brace of Shane McGrath points and one from Martin O’Leary had Clare 1-4 to 0-2 in front as the game reached the half hour mark and they were looking as though they would be advancing.

However, Clare lost some of their focus when Gordon Kelly was ordered off on a black card after he fouled Liam Ó Lonáin.

Waterford however came roaring back into contention when Paul Whyte did well to hamper the ball to the Clare net leaving just two between the sides.

Clare would however go into the dressing rooms at the break holding a three point advantage (1-5 to 1-2) having played against the wind when David Tubridy landed the last score of the half just before the half time whistle was blown.

The home side began the second half with Jamie Malone and Gary Brennan both having white flags raised to extend the three point lead that Clare had at the break to five.

Waterford’s response was to immediately send on Michael Curry for JJ Hutchinson and the Rathgormack man made an impact.

Paul Whyte landed a point for Waterford on forty eight minutes but it was followed with the ordering off of Waterford Captain Shane Briggs on a black card soon afterwards.

Michael Curry landed a point for Waterford with just over a quarter of a hour to play, and when Liam Ó Lonáin finished to the net to level matters on the score board.

Tadhg Ó hUallachain edged Waterford in front, but it was a short lived one as Shane McGrath and Sean Collins combined well to set up David Tubridy who finished to the net and put the home side back in front by two.

Gary Brennan extended that lead to three (2-8 to 2-5) with time ticking down on the referee’s watch, but Waterford refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded for their hard work.

Shane Ahearne put over a brace of points for Waterford and Paul Whyte landed one to level matters before the end of the game.

Podge Collins in the closing minutes became the second Clare man to be showed a black card by Conor Lane. Although eligible to play for the side in the replay, it looks however that Collins will miss out on playing in Fraher Field on Saturday evening next as he is likely to be involved with Davy Fitzgerald’s hurling team when they play Cork or Waterford in the Munster Semi final on Sunday afternoon next.

Waterford: Stephen Enright; Shane Briggs, Maurice O’Gorman, Thomas O’Gorman; Conor Phelan, Dean Crowley; Tommy Prendergast, Paul Whyte; Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Liam Ó Lonáin, Michael O’Gorman; Brian Wall, Shane Aherne, JJ Hutchison. Subs: Michael Curry for JJ Hutchison (42 mins), Declan Allen for Brian Wall (48 mins), Wayne Hutchison for Shane Briggs (49 mins, Black Card), David Grey  for Michael O’Gorman (56 mins), David Hallahan  for Oran Keevers (60 mins), Lorcan Ó Corraoin  for Conor Phelan (66 mins).

Scorers: Paul Whyte 1-2, Liam Ó Lonáin 1-0, Shane Ahearn (1free) JJ Hutchinson 0-2 each, Tadhg Ó hUallachain. Michael Curry 0-1 each.  

Clare: Joe Hayes; Dean Ryan, Kevin Harnett, Martin McMahon; Shane Hickey, Gordon Kelly, Ciaran Russell; Gary Brennan, Shane McGrath; Jamie Malone, Enda Coughlan, Sean Collins; Martin O’Leary, David Tubridy (1-2 1f), Padraic Collins. Subs: Shane Brennan for Gordon Kelly (31 mins, Black Card), Rory Donnelly for Martin O’Leary (50 mins), Eoin Cleary  for Jamie Malone (62 mins), Podge McMahon for Padraic Collins (71 mins, Black Card)

Scorers: David Tubridy 1-2 (0-1 each), Enda Coughlan 1-0, Gary Brennan, Shane McGrath 0-2 each, Jamie Malone, Martin O’Leary 0-1 each

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)

Waterford and Cork clash again to see who play Clare

Two weeks ago Waterford and Cork not for the first time in the last twenty years or so, played out an exciting Munster Senior Hurling Championship game at Thurles.

The game was not the classic the previous games between the same two counties in recent years, but still it will live long in the memories of many supporters of both sides for some time to come.

For that game, I opted for Cork to win, and feel that it would be wrong to change horses at the mid way point. However, in opting for Cork to advance, I for one am much more hopeful of Waterford’s chances having seen how they played last time out.

In the drawn game, it was the younger players on both sides that made the biggest impact.

Many will remember Austin Gleeson’s goal for years to come. Scoring great goals is not something new for Semple Stadium. If you are a certain vintage you will remember John Fenton’s goal against Limerick back in the mid 1980’s, and you don’t have to be as old to remember Paul Flynn’s strike against Cork from a free back in 2004.

Tadhg de Burca also had a great game for Waterford two weeks ago, while Colin Dunford also impressed in the white shirt before he was replaced.

For Cork Alan Cadogan was outstanding and was a constant thorn in the side of the Waterford defence.

What impact these players will have this week remains to be seen. It would be wrong of us to expect the same again. The two respective managers no doubt will have come up with a plan to try curbing the danger that these players served up in the drawn game.

Cork it could be argued the last day used their get out of jail free card, as they came from nine points down as the game reached the half way point in the second half.

Waterford will not be happy that they left the lead slip and will know that if they were to build such a lead this time around, they cannot afford to let it slip.

Waterford could well prove to be a stronger side from the off this time out. Shane O’Sullivan comes into the team having served his suspension as a result of his sending off against Dublin in the League Relegation play off final. The Ballygunner Club man will bring with him a wealth of experience at this level into the team.

The inclusion of Shane Fives is also good news for Waterford. He must have counted himself to be very unlucky not to have started in the drawn game. He played for his club side Carrigtwohill in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship last weekend where he impressed scoring four points.

Up front Waterford has plenty of players that know how to take their points. Scoring goals however remains to be a problem. Rumours in the Dungarvan area with the past day or two is that the sextet of forwards picked is not the sextet that will start. There are also rumours that the players will not start as selected. If the rumours prove to be correct, then many will welcome the changes as some would argue that the moves could allow for goals to be scored.

Up front last day, Cork had an off day. The Rebels very much relied upon Patrick Horgan and Alan Cadogan for the bulk of their scores, but we all know that the other forwards are likely to have that off day again. The likes of Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane, and Patrick Cronin need no introduction to hurling supporters. Bill Cooper after coming in the last day as a sub and scoring 1-1 keeps his place in the team from the off and will needed to be watched carefully by the Waterford defence.

In the drawn game, the goals and the subs used were the difference between the sides.

After Waterford raised a green flag after Austin Gleeson’s individual piece of brilliance hit just five further scores.

Minutes later when Bill Cooper was in the right place at the right time to capitalise on a brilliant Stephen O’Keeffe saved, Cork hit another ten scores.

Waterford going into the drawn game had their options severely limited. They were further cut when Eddie Barrett had to retire early with an injury. Later in the game when players began to tire, the options that Waterford would have liked available to them were not there.

This weekend, reports are that Waterford will have a much stronger bench. That has to be a good thing for Waterford as the teams can no longer rely upon 16 or 17 games to see you through a seventy plus minute game.

Waterford last time out played much better than anyone expected. The question is now can this be repeated. Cork in the drawn game were slow out of the traps. Many of their forwards did not play as they can and the whole side needed Austin Gleeson’s brilliant second half side to wake them up.

As a Waterford supporter I hope I am wrong, but I can’t see the bulk of the Cork forwards play below bar again this time out. In the past sides usually got one chance to beat Cork. Does the same still apply? We will see tomorrow.

Some time back, a well know hurling supporter within the county told me that a prediction to win by me is like hammering a nail into a coffin. In predicting that Cork will win this game on Sunday, as a Waterford supporter lets hope he is right.

Underdogs Waterford can beat favourites.

Waterford Senior Footballers take to the road this Saturday and head to Ennis for a Munster Quarter Final against Clare, where the visitors will be looking for what is a rare championship win.

Over the past twenty five years Waterford’s championship record is to be honest, not the best. After they beat Limerick at Fraher Field in the late 1980’s the county had to wait almost twenty years for their next championship win when they beat Clare at the same venue in 2007.

Since then, Waterford have recorded just one more Munster Championship win, that coming in 2010 when the side again won in Fraher Field, again against Clare.

While results have not always gone Waterford’s way, where Waterford is at when it comes to football is not as bad as some make out it to be.

In 2010 Waterford having had a number of near misses gained promotion from the bottom rung of the National Football League ladder in the first year of John Owens three years in charge of the team. While promotion was achieved over a series of games, it was confirmed when the side beat Clare in the last game of the campaign in Fraher Field.

Waterford played well after winning promotion and going into the last two games, they were still in with a chance of putting together back to back promotion (even if they needed other results to go their way) or get relegated. Unfortunately the latter was to happen.

In 2013, Waterford had a very disappointing league campaign. Four games were lost, against Offaly, Limerick, Leitrim and most disappointedly against London and in the Munster Championship the side suffered a heavy loss to Kerry in the Munster Semi Final which meant that when side were paired with Galway in the qualifiers, the experts gave Waterford no chance heading to the West of the Country, but Waterford almost pulled off what would be described by many as the shock of the year, as the visitors lead going into the final minutes of the game, but a strong finish by the Tribesmen in the closing minutes secured their passage to the third phase of qualifiers.

The league did not go well for Waterford this year just as was the case in 2013, but Waterford if they can draw inspiration on last years game with Galway, and from Tipperary last weekend who recorded a first Munster Championship success in a decade and Antrim the way they beat a slightly stronger Fermanagh side, then there is no reason why Waterford cannot win this weekends game.

The home side will head into the game as favourites. They won promotion from the fourth division of the league this year along with Tipperary, but in the league final at Croke Park they went under to the Premier County by a point.

However, Waterford has a habit of times in showing up the bookies.

The two sides in action this weekend met in the first round of the 2013 league. The game was to be played in Ennis, but it was obvious from early in the week leading up to the game that the Visitors would have to add a number of miles to their journey before they played the game.

The game was played in Milltown-Malbay and Clare went into the game the strongest of favourites. Waterford had only appointed Niall Carew as manager only a few weeks earlier and there was not much time to do anything with the team in advance of the game compared to what others had.

Clare also had a new manager. Mick O’Dwyer had left Wicklow at the end of the previous year and the Banner Men were quick to approach him. In the eyes of many, he was going to do great things for the side in the year ahead. His charges were going to win the game with Waterford and it was going to kick start bid for promotion. Waterford had not read the script however, and the side returned home with a win.

Waterford will go into this game with on of the smallest panels used by any side in this years championship, but will be one well prepared by Niall Carew.

The obstacles put in the way of the side in previous years have not appeared this year. The team and management have had a number of weeks without championship games standing in the way of preparation. Whether that is a good thing or otherwise remains to be seen as sometimes the best preparation for a big game involves playing competitive games right up to or as close as possible to the big game.

The fifteen players used by Niall Carew and his charges could well be predicted by many. What might not be so easy to predict is where players will be used, as in the modern game positions and printed line outs mean nothing.

Stephen Enright should start between the posts, but from there on it could well be a lottery. Shane Briggs could well start at Centre back and will captain the side. Between him and Stephen Enright could be Thomas O’Gorman. The Nire man’s twin brother is back in contention for a place in the team after missing the league and could well start somewhere in defence. Kieran Connery could also start in defence if fit. Conor Phelan would also be expected to start in defence and Dean Crowley who had a good league campaign for Waterford may also get a first championship start with Cillian O’Keeffe also starting as an attacking wing back.

In the middle of the field Shane Ahern, Tommy Prendergast, JJ Hutchinson and Michael O’Gorman could battle it out for two positions.

In attack Liam Ó Lonáin had an excellent league campaign for Waterford and should start. Paul Whyte appears to have recovered from the injury he picked up while playing for Waterford against Wicklow which all goes well for Waterford. Brian Wall is a very versatile player for Waterford and could be used in a number of positions while Wayne Hutchinson has made an impact since he joined the panel. The other two places in attack could well be taken by the two players mentioned above that are fighting it out for a centre of the field position that miss out on a number eight or nine shirt while Robert Ahern could also be in contention.

What team Clare puts out remains to be seen. They have a number of duel players and it remains to be seen if the likes of Podge Collins and Conor McGrath are more committed to hurling or football, of with a game coming up against Cork or Waterford in the Munster Semi Final if the players in question are going to risk playing and picking up an injury ahead of that game.

Other players that Clare will likely to be calling upon are Shane Hickey, Martin Murphy, Michael O’Leary, Michael O’Shea and of course David Tubridy.

Clare will head into this weekends game as the favourites, and will provide strong opposition for Waterford, but Waterford will be confident of winning this weekend.