Waterford to Begin with a Win

Waterford’s record in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship since Justin McCarthy departed as team manager in 2008 hardly stands out.

Under the Cork man between 2002 and 2008 Waterford played some of its best ever hurling, certainly since what some would describe as the Counties best ever period between 1957 and 1963 when the County won three Munster Finals as well as one All-Ireland and one National League Final, losing out in one other All-Ireland Final title.

Under McCarthy Waterford ended a 39 year spell without a Munster title winning the first of three title won under his guidance in 2002 in his first season in charge having taken over from another Cork man Gerald McCarthy and they also won a National League title in 2007 the year that many still feel that Waterford should have won the All-Ireland title with many pointing out having to play three weekends in a row, twice against Cork and then against Limerick not helping the side. There was some who at the time argued that the then County Board should have done more to get a break between the second game with Cork and the game with Limerick, but maybe many might forget that Clare and Tipperary earlier that year also had to play three weekends running in the Munster Championship when they could not be separated.

Since McCarthy departed after his side lost to Clare in 2008, Waterford have played 22 Munster Championship games of which just seven resulted in wins for Waterford and there was four draws as well along the way.

But while Waterford’s Munster Championship results in the last ten seasons might well be described as somewhat disappointing, it has to be pointed out that under the guidance of Davy Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan and more recently Derek McGrath Waterford in the All-Ireland series have fared much better reaching their quota of All-Ireland quarter finals, semi finals and even finals under Davy Fitzgerald in 2008 and Derek McGrath just two seasons ago.

Waterford last year just like Tipperary who also had to play four weekends running did not enjoy the best of Munster Final campaigns as the two sides missed out on a place in the All-Ireland Series of games.

But I feel that this year is one that is going to be much better for Waterford. To finish in the top three and stake a place in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals or even Semi Finals as Munster Champions will not be easy as between the five counties in the Munster side of the draw on a given day there is hardly a puck of the ball between the sides.

Last year I feel Waterford were on the wrong side of the fixtures draw. Getting a bye in the first round of fixtures meant that when Derek McGrath’s side travelled to Ennis to play Clare in their first game in the second round of fixtures in a new look Munster Championship they were already playing catch up on sides they were competing with as they had already put points on the league table before Waterford got to play.

Yes, I know all sides had four games to play but sometimes points on the table is much better than a game in hand on those you are competing with.

This year Waterford once more have four games to play in a row, but the bye is at the end of the fixture list for the five counties meaning that if Waterford have the points needed to gain an All-Ireland Quarter Final place at a minimum after they play their fourth game, the pressure could well be on the other sides in the fifth round of fixtures.

Ideally of course Waterford might well like to have had two games then a bye and two more games when it came to the way the fixtures were made, but we don’t live in an ideal world.

After Waterford lost out to Galway in the All-Ireland Final while attending a club game in Dungarvan, the question was asked in press box at Fraher Field, was there and All-Ireland in Waterford.

Without having to think for two long I said there was and I firmly believe that Waterford are not far from winning a first title since 1959. Will that happen in 2019, I don’t know. It would be nice to think it could, sixty years after Frankie Walsh lead his side up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the Liam McCarthy Cup.

To win the title is not going to be easy. There are a number of sides going to be serious contenders. Reigning champions Limerick and last year’s runners up Galway are going to be there again. So too will Tipperary, Cork, Clare and Kilkenny. Dublin it’s hard to make a call on them. Wexford I am not sure about and it is hard to see Carlow do anything, even if we all would like to see the Minnow do something that nobody expect.

The experts are telling us that home advantage in games is a big thing. Statistics show that the home team when there is one goes on to win about three quarters of the games. Personally I would like to think that the best team win on a given day. I have heard some say that the referee can be swayed in the big calls when there is a home support on his back. I would hope this is not true and that referee’s regardless of who is playing and where would referee the game in a fair manor to both sides.

Waterford had an excellent league campaign, topping Division 1B and going on to contest the final against All-Ireland Champions Limerick.

Waterford have named a strong team for the game in Walsh Park tomorrow and what is pleasing about the current Waterford set up is that there is plenty of options coming off the bench. It is important to remember that in the current game that the game is no longer about 15 men, it is about the five subs available to be put on and even the two or three that might be called upon next week to come in and do a job if there is injuries or suspensions picked up.

Clare no doubt would love to have remained in the league longer and coming to Waterford one think will be in the back of their minds. When the two sides met in the quarter finals of the league at Walsh Park back in March Clare conceded 31 points.

What happened in that game will play no part this weekend. That game is not history, but at the same time you can’t but help thinking maybe that some of the Clare players might be thinking can Waterford serve up another performance like that on what is a Walsh Park that is in pristine condition which will suit some of the speed merchants that Waterford have held in reserve for this game.

If the experts are right and home advantage counts for something, then Waterford will win this game. The only thing to be decided is the winning margin. But if Clare were to travel down believing those who make claims about home advantage, what is the point in them travelling and putting big amounts of money into the team. Would it not be better for them if the experts are right about home advantage, staying back up in Clare and getting ready for their first home game in two weeks time against Tipperary in Ennis, sending down a second string junior team to go through the motions against Pauric Fanning’s side, telling them before they leave to enjoy the trip.

The Capacity of Walsh Park might not reach the level set of just over 11,000 but it will come pretty close to it. I have no doubt that those that watch it at the venue or at home on the television will be served up an entertaining game that will be much closer that the 0-31 to 1-14 win that Waterford had back in March in Walsh Park.

So who will win? For me it will be the home side, not because of the home advantage thing that some are alluding to but because I feel Waterford have the better panel of the two sides and have some great options to come off the bench.

Waterford Camogie Sides Go In Search Of Two Munster Final Appearances

If you are a regular reader of what appears here you will know that I have nothing but the upmost of respect for our counties Camogie and Ladies Footballers and those tasked at board room level at Club and County level that are helping to develop the both games.

But sometimes you have to wonder about some and the joined up thinking there is when it comes to the promotion of the games.

Take those at Munster Council Level for example. This coming Saturday evening they have Waterford’s junior and senior teams down to play two games at the one time in two different counties. Some might ask what is wrong with this. Well one wrong might be this, Waterford in their junior team are using players that are currently outside the eighteen or nineteen most used players from the senior team, which gives Waterford something to think about for this weekend. Do they send these players to Lemybrien for a Munster Semi Final game against Kerry where they will get game time or do they send them to The Ragg outside Thurles with the senior team where they are most likely to start on the bench but could be sent on at some stage?

The question also has to be asked should there be the coming together and the formation of one body by the Camogie and Ladies Football Associations to allow for duel players if players are willing to commit to both codes. I have no doubt there is players who want to play both but because of two associations who often have fixtures on the same day and even the same time make it impossible to happen. Waterford have one duel player this year in Caoimhe McGrath who excelled in both the National Camogie and Ladies Football Leagues this year in the white and blue of Waterford but this Saturday the Abbeyside player will have to make up her mind or have her mind made up for her as to which game she wants to play as while the Waterford Senior’s are playing Tipperary in the Ragg, two hours earlier in Ennis the Waterford Senior Ladies Footballers are playing Kerry in the First round of this year’s Munster Championship, a repeat of last weekend’s League final in Parnell Park.

When Waterford’s junior team run onto the pitch in Lemybrien on Saturday evening it will be their second game in the competition, having beating a strong Clare side a few weeks back.

In that game Niamh Murphy was the heroine when it came to the scoring as she hit eight points in her side’s tally of 1-10.

The De La Salle player is part of the senior set up in the last few years and has also been part of a talented De La Salle side and the experience she has picked up with these sides was obvious in the win over Clare, remaining very cool headed striking from placed balls and struck the winner from play with just under two minutes remaining.

She is joined in the junior set up in the likes of Niamh Ahearne another member of the senior panel and a daughter of former inter county hurler Shane.  Becky Kavanagh, Sadie Mai Rowe, Saoirse Bonnar and Johanna Houlihan are also experienced players in this side.

Also included are some rising stars of the game, the likes of Leah Sheridan who was part of the Gailltir team that contested this year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final in February as well as the likes of Megan Foran, Hannah Flynn, Aoife and Shauna Fitzgerald, Izabella Markiewiz and Sally Kelly who are also rising stars of the game.

They will be up against a Kerry side that lost three of their games in the National League and conceded a fourth game to Armagh while playing in Division two. They however retained their place in Division two for next year by beating Carlow in a relegation playoff game.

Kerry in this game will be looking to the likes of Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy, Olivia Dineen, Elaine Ryall, Laura Collins and Jackie Horgan for big performances.

While this is Waterford’s second string teams you have to field with the mix of youth and experience in it that the side are good enough to qualify for a Munster Final.

While the junior game is going on in Lemybrien the senior team will be in action at The Ragg Camogie Grounds outside Thurles.

These two sides have met twice in the last twelve months and on both occasions victory went to the Premier County side, first in last year’s All-Ireland Senior Quarter Final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh and more recently in this year’s National League.

So will we see it be third time Waterford on Saturday evening. Well we have every right to think it will.

Waterford in the National League finished in fourth place in a five team group in their group, but it must be pointed out that for much of the league Donal O’Rourke had to plan without the services of the Gailltir players who were preparing for their All-Ireland Club Final at Croke Park.

Tipperary could well have a strong line out on Saturday evening including the likes of Gemma Grace, Eimear Loughman, Niamh Tracey, Ereena Fryday, Grace O’Brien and of course Cáit Devane to name but a few.

Waterford at full strength are a match for anyone. To pick one from Brianna O’Regan and Ciara Jackman to start in goal is not an easy task to start with, and out along the field you have some brilliant players in the likes of All-Star Beth Carton, team captain Niamh Rockett, Iona Heffernan, Sibheal Harney, Aoife Landers, Lorraine Bray, Sarah Lacey, Orla Hickey, Claire Whyte, Áine Lyng, Annie Fitzgerald, Kate Lynch, Clodagh Carroll, Kaiesha Tobin etc.

Tipperary have got the better of Waterford in some of the recent clashes between the two, but Donal O’Rourke and his charges will know that the tide has to turn at some stage.

With the All-Ireland Championship coming up in a few weeks times there might be some places that need filling in on the team in the mind of Donal O’Rourke and his selectors and the 15 players that start this game and any that come on will be going all out to secure a place in that championship starting team and the players will know that a good showing here could well cement their place in the starting All-Ireland Championship team.

Some might make the home side favourites to win here, but there is something telling me that Donal O’Rourke’s side will upset here those that are suggesting that the home side will advance to a Munster Final.

Waterford V Kerry Part 2

Last Sunday was a memorable day for Ladies Football in Waterford when Ciaran Curran’s side beat Kerry to claim the Division Two National League title against a fancied Kerry side at Parnell Park in Dublin.

Goals that day made a difference with Waterford hitting four in a brilliant first half performance as Michelle Ryan, Kelly Ann Hogan, Maria Delahunty and Róisín Tobin all had the umpires at the northern side of the North Dublin venue reaching for the green flag.

For Waterford to keep up the way they were performing in that first half for the full sixty minutes was always going to be a big ask for Ciaran Curran’s side and while the ladies from the kingdom did come more into contention in the second half much of the damage was done as far as they were concerned and Waterford were full value for their 5-13 to 1-17 victory, staking a place in Division One in next years league where they will be up against the likes of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Tipperary.

The two sides meet again this Saturday evening in Ennis, the curtain raiser to the Munster Championship (mens) quarter final between Waterford and Clare.

The outcome of last Sunday’s game will bear no impact in the result of this game. After Waterford’s win last Sunday and the manner in which they played will get some suggesting that they will win again this weekend, but that loss for Kerry will only spur them on and they will be going out all guns blazing to gain revenge as quickly as possible.

It remains to be seen as of now what changes if any will be made for this game.

Last weekend Kerry were forced into changing their goalkeeper Robyn White in the first half. The Kerry mentors indicated at the break that she had picked up a hamstring injury and was replaced soon after Waterford had netted their third goal. Kayleigh Cronin came on for her after 26 minutes could well retain her place for this game. On the day I felt that Robyn White had lost some confidence between the posts after the start that Waterford made and she could well have been replaced maybe for the start of the second half and if she had not Waterford could have scored more than just the one goal in the second thirty minutes.

Having played each other last weekend for the second time this year, both sides will know each other fairly well and know each other’s strength’s and weaknesses.

Players like Aislinn Desmond, Aisling O’Connell, Lorraine Scanlon, Amanda Brosnan, Hannah O’Donoghue and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh down the spine of the Kerry team last Sunday are very talented players while the likes of Miriam O’Keeffe and Sarah Houlihan in the corner forward positions as well as Niamh Carmody in the half forward line are also talented players.

This present Waterford side is a talented one and it is one that could well go on to achieve a great deal in the years to come.

Within the set up there is some very experience players in the likes of Caoimhe McGrath, Róisín Tobin, Karen McGrath, Michelle Ryan, the Murray sisters, Maria Delahunty, Eimear Fennell and Aileen Wall which is a benefit to any side, but there is also some excellent young players in the likes of Rosie Landers, Rebecca Casey, Kelly Ann Hogan and Aisling Mullaney amongst but a few who have a bright future ahead of them in the game.

In Ladies Football as well as in Camogie when sides meet twice in a short space of time it is often the side that lose the first day learns the most and come out on top on the second occasion.

Will it happen like this on Saturday evening in Ennis? It really is impossible to say. One thing is for sure the game is going to be much closer than it was last Sunday, and regardless of the outcome both sides will be involved in the All-Ireland Championship which begins in a few weeks time.

Tough Task Ahead For Waterford Footballers

Waterford’s senior footballers go in search of a first Munster Championship win since 2010 on Saturday evening when they take on Clare at Cusack Park in Ennis.

Since beating Clare at Fraher Field back in 2010 on a 1-10 to 0-9 score line Waterford’s best result came five years ago when they drew 0-12 to 2-6 score line and more recently although while tasting defeat losing out to Cork by one point at Fraher Field two years ago.

Nobody that has an interest in Football that Benji Whelan’s side will face a difficult task if they are to reverse Waterford’s run of results in the Munster Championship this weekend.

While the Kilmacthomas man and his management team will have left no stone unturned in preparing their charges for this game, it really is hard to see anything other than a Clare win happen, but in saying that, it is when nobody give a Waterford football side any hope that they are at their best, and we could well see this happen on Saturday evening.

When it comes to Gaelic Football this year getting out of Division Four in the National League was Waterford’s main aim, but a poor start to this year’s campaign, losing their first three games meant that Waterford’s interest in the competition was over before the competition reached it’s midway point.

Waterford’s result’s did improve in the second half of the competition, even if they were to lose their last game in the group stages against a Leitrim side that had secured promotion to Division Three before the game and this will give the side in white and blue confidence going into the game in Ennis on Saturday evening.

What side Waterford will field on Saturday evening remains to be seen. We do know that the side will show a number of changes to that which we would have seen in previous years.

Aaron Beresford had taken over the number one shirt from his Ballinacourty club made Stephen Enright this year but the Ballinacourty man dislocated his knee in the run up to the first round of the club championship ruling him out of contention for his sides two games, and while we are told that he has returned to training with the county, it remains to be seen if the game has come too soon for him.

If he is deemed fit to play then expect him to start, but if he isn’t, then Gaultier’s David Whitty would be expected to start with Kilrossanty’s 46 year old goal keeper Darren Mulhearne called up to the panel in recent weeks providing cover on the bench.

Modeligo’s Sean O’Donovan, Ray Ó Ceallaigh from An Rinn and James McGrath from county champions The Nire would be expected to start in front of him with Tadhg Ó hUallachain, Brian Looby and Shane Ryan expected to form the half back line but in what order from left to right would remain to be seen.

The middle of the field could see Waterford’s twin towers – Kilrossanty’s Tommy Prendergast and Stradbally’s Shane Ahearne link up, a pairing that no centre of the field pairing would like to come up against with their combined aerial ability.

In attack the line out could well see plenty of roving between the six position but the positions are likely to be filled by JJ and Dessie Hutchinson from Gaultier, Conor Murray and Michael Curry from Rathgormack as well as Feargal Ó Cuirrín from An Rinn and possibly Dylan Guiry, with the likes of Jason Curry, Donie Fitzgerald and Sean Whelan-Barrett also likely to come into contention.

Clare played two divisions above Waterford in the National League and did well to retain their place in Division Two for 2020, no mean achievement considering some of the teams that were in that division this year. The finished level on points with Cork (along with Tipperary) but the rebels were relegated after the pair drew and Clare finished with a better scoring difference.  

David Tubridy is one of Clare’s best players now with a long number of years and he could well if given the chance prove to be a thorn in the Waterford defence on Saturday evening making few mistakes.

But they are by no means a one man team an in the likes of Jamie Malone, Gary Brennan, Gordon Kelly and Piece DeLoughrey they have some quality players that will cause problems for most sides.

I for one would love to say that Waterford will win this game and would love to be reading about a Waterford win in next week’s City and Dungarvan local papers, but hand on heart as much as I would love to say it, i can’t.

But as I have said already when Waterford are wrote off my many this is when they can produce the goods and if they were to produce the goods here I would not be surprised. I would really love to be proven wrong here, but it is hard to see anything other than a home win in this one.

66 Do Battle For 32 Seats on Waterford City and County Council

The closing date for receipt of nominations for this year’s local elections closed at the weekend with those whose name were submitted having until noon today (Tuesday May 7) to withdraw their name for the race if they so wish.

In Waterford 66 names will contest the local elections in six different electorate areas. 31 of the 32 sitting councillors have decided to seek re-election for the next five year term, Ballymacarbry based Councillor Michael Joseph O’Ryan the only councillor deciding not to seek re-election and in doing so ended over a century of service to the people of the county.

Of the 66 that will be contesting the election for a place on the council for the next five years, 26 are doing so for the first time, while a number of candidates standing who were not elected in 2014 have previously served on either Waterford City Council or Waterford County Council before the two local authorises were merged into one in 2014.

Nine candidates will stand for five seats in the new look Portlaw-Kilmacthomas electorate area, previously the Comeragh Electorate area.

Sitting Councillors – Liam Brazil (Fine Gael), Declan Clune (Sinn Fein), Ray Murphy (Fianna Fail), John O’Leary (Fianna Fail) and Seanie Power (Fine Gael) will be joined by former member of Waterford County Council Ger Barron (Labour) as well as first time candidates Mairead Coffey Jacob (Fine Gael) and Independents Ann Troy and Dolores Whelan.

The Dungarvan-Lismore electorate area is split into two areas for the next five years with the Dungarvan area getting to elect six councillors and Lismore three.

In the Dungarvan Electorate area outgoing Councillors Tom Cronin (Fianna Fail), Damien Geoghegan (Fine Gael), Pat Nugent (Fine Gael), Seamus O’Donnell (Independent) and Siobhan Whelan will all be looking to be re-elected after serving for the past five years on Waterford City and County Council and will have one more with them this time out after it was decided the area should have six councillors.

Joining them on the ballot paper will be Conor D. McGuinness (Sinn Fein), Sean French (Fianna Fail), Caren Hallahan (Independent), Ciara Langan (Independent), Ian Noctor (Fine Gael), Joe O’Riordan (Independent), Thomas Phelan (Labour) and Ann Marie Rossiter (Fianna Fail).

The three outgoing Candidates in the Lismore area Declan Doocey (Fine Gael), John Pratt (Labour) and James Tobin (Fianna Fail) will be joined on the ticket by Louise Brierly (Sinn Fein) and Lynne Glasscoe (Green Party) for three seats.

Six seats will be up for grabs in the three areas in and around the city area.

In the Tramore – Waterford City West area outgoing Councillors Joe Conway (Independent), Jim Griffin (Sinn Fein), Blaise Halligan (Independent), Joe Kelly (Independent), Lola O’Sullivan (Fine Gael) and Eamon Quinlan (Fianna Fail) all face a massive task to retain their seats.

Along with the six outgoing councillors on the Ballot paper will be the names of eight others,  Brendan Byrne (Independent), Una Dunphy (People Before Profit), Michael Gallwey (Renua), Leslie Hughes (Sinn Fein), Maxine Keoghan (Fine Gael), Rita Lacey (Fianna Fail), Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Green Party) and Melissa O’Neill (Independent).

In Waterford City East Sharon Carey (Fine Gael), David Daniels (Independent), Pat Fitzgerald (Sinn Fein), Eddie Mulligan (Fianna Fail), Matt Shanahan (Independent) and Adam Wyse (Fianna Fail) are the outgoing councillors and will have to fend off opposition from Fiona Dowd (Fine Gael), Michael Doyle (Sinn Fein), Michael Garland (Independent), Jody Power (Green Party) and Lee Walsh (Independent) if they are to be re-elected.

Another big field have declared for the six seats in Waterford City South.

The outgoing candidates here are Breda Brennan (Sinn Fein), John Cummins (Fine Gael), John Hearne (Sinn Fein), Jason Murphy (Fianna Fail) Laurence Cha O’Neill (Independent) and Sean Reinhardt (Independent), are up against Donal Barry (Independent), Vivienne Burns (Independent), Brendan Byrne (Independent), Ronan Cleary (Aontú), Warren Fitzgerald (Sinn Fein), Susan Gallagher (Green Party), Andrew Power (Independent) and Seamus Ryan (Labour).

In the elections in 2014 in the Comeragh Area, there was an electorate of 15,534 with a valid vote of 9,028 with a quota set at 1,280.

Michael Joseph O’Ryan and Liam Brazil both were elected on the first count both receiving nearly 200 votes each above the quota.

John O’Leary and Declan Clune were both elected on the eight count both having passed the quota. Seanie Power was elected on the ninth county having received one vote over the quota with Mary Butler getting elected on the same count without reaching the set quota. Mary Butler would resign her seat in 2016 after she was elected to the Dáil as a Fianna Fail Deputy for Waterford and was replaced by Ray Murphy.

Those failing to get elected in the Comeragh Area in 2014 were Brendan Coffey (Fine Gael), Seanie Walsh (Independent), Ger Barron (Labour) Doctor David Janes (Direct Democracy), Michael Flynn (Independent), and David Kirwan (Independent).

The Dungarvan-Lismore electorate area in 2014 had eight seats.

Damien Geoghegan topped the pole with 1,337 Number 1’s, passing the quota of 1312 votes needed from an electorate of 22,774.  

Pat Nugent and James Tobin both passed the quota in the fourth and fifth count respectfully, while Siobhan Whelan was elected on the seventh count.

John Pratt, Tom Cronin, Declan Doocey and Seamus O’Donnell were all elected in the eight count without reaching the quota needed.

Louise Brierley (Sinn Fein), Nicky Sheehan (Labour), Michael Cosgrove (Fine Gael), Midi de Paor Walsh (Independent), Ann Marie Rossiter (Fianna Fail) and Michael (The Mad Hatter) Wright {RIP} (Independent) were also on the Ballot Paper.

The Tramore – Waterford City West had an electorate of 16,028 in 2014 with the quota set at 1,196 for the six seats.

Joe Conway was the first to be elected reaching the quota on the eight count. Jim Griffin was elected on the eleventh count, with Joe Kelly, Blaise Halligan, Lola O’Sullivan and Eamon Quinlan elected without a quota on the twelfth count.

Ann Marie Power (Independent), Hilary Quinlan (Fine Gael), Pat Daly (Fianna Fail), David Lane (Sinn Fein), Davy Walsh (Workers Party), Dee Jacques (Labour), Pat Finnerty ( Independent), Dick Roche (Independent), Maxine Keoghan (Fine Gael), Jenna Keane (Independent), Monica Melay (Independent) and Brian Hearne (Workers Party) making up the remainder of the field back in 2014.

Waterford City East had a electorate of 19,090 and the quota was set at 1,118, and in the first round of counting Pat Fitzgerald and Davy Daniels passed this number.

John Carey would pass the figure on the eleventh count. He died in 2018 and his daughter Sharon was co-opted onto the council in his place and she will contest this year’s election.

Also getting elected on the same county were Adam Wyse and Mary Roche. The latter would resign her place on the council in recent months and was replaced by Matt Shanahan who will contest this years election.

Eddie Mulligan as an Independent was elected on the twelfth count without reaching the quota. Eddie Mulligan went on to join the Fianna Fail Party after getting elected in 2014.

Jim D’Arcy (Fine Gael), Neil White (Independent), Tom Cunningham (Fine Gael), Jack Walsh (Labour), Liz Murphy (Fianna Fail), Eamon McGrath (Fianna Fail), Joan Quirke (People Before Profit), John Walsh (Independent) and Larry McCarthy (Direct Democracy) also contested in this area in 2014.

Waterford City South in 2014 had an electorate of 12,181 with the quota set at 1,032.

Sinn Fein’s John Hearne topped the poll and was elected on the first count with his party colleague Breda Brennan elected on the eighth count.

John Cummins was elected on the tenth count surpassing the quota with Jason Murphy, Sean Reinhardt and Laurence (Cha) O’Neill getting elected on the same count without reaching the quota.

Seamus Ryan (Labour), Willie Moore (Workers Party), Tom Murphy (Independent), Donal Barry (Independent), David O’Brien (Independent), Keith Nolan (Independent), Gary Hogan (Direct Democracy) and Eddie Walsh made up the remainder of the ballot paper in this area.

Something tells me with a number of issues getting a lot of media coverage in Waterford in the last while that this could well be an interesting election. Whether National Issues affecting Waterford can be resolved at a local level remains to be seen. The numbers entering the race for one of 32 seats tells me that there is some that feel that they can do something about the issues that affects Waterford and indeed the South east. Something also tells me that of the 31 councillors that are seeking re-election not all will be returned. How many wont – right now we will have to wait and see.

Five Star Déise Ladies Win League Title

Back in 1991 a glorious chapter in the history of Ladies Football began when a team comprising mostly from the Ballymacarbry Club beat Kerry to win a first ever Munster Senior Ladies Football Final, ending a ten year period of dominance by the Ladies of the Kingdom after they had won ten Munster Finals and nine All-Ireland Finals in a row.

That side, with additions along the way and with some dropping out over the next decade achieved so much culminating in five All-Ireland titles between 1991 and 1998.

This year’s league saw Waterford play some good football along the way saved their very best for this game and from the off in this game Ciaran Curran’s side were always the better of the two sides and were full value for their eight point winning margin.

Waterford netted five goals for the second game in a row, four of which came in the opening half and there were times we saw that this present group of players can go on and have some even better days in the months and years ahead. Whether however they will replicate what the great side of the 90’s achieved is very hard to tell. Just like that great team there is some hugely talented players in this present team but the biggest thing that will stop them is that right now there is more teams competing at the time than there was in the 90’s when a team came along and for two or three years challenging Waterford hardest and then broke up before another team came along. We saw it with Kerry back in the 90’s then Laois, Monaghan and finally Mayo. 

If Waterford is to be successful in the years ahead then they will have to be beating the likes of Monaghan, Tipperary, Kerry, Armagh, Westmeath, Mayo, Donegal, Dublin, Galway and this year’s Division One champions Cork. To beat one in any competition will be tough, to have to get the better of all sides will be a big ask not just for Waterford but all sides playing in the top flight.

Coincidently the two sides are to meet again in the Munster Championship at Ennis on Saturday next in the first round of the Munster Championship, a curtain raiser to the Waterford and Clare game in the Men’s code and for that game both sides will know that the result of this game will have little significance on the result of that game, but what this result will do will give Waterford plenty of confidence going into the game.

 Waterford were outstanding in the first half and turned around with an incredible four clear goal cushion showing on the score board as Michelle Ryan, Kelly Ann Hogan, Maria Delahunty and Eimear Fennell all netted goals for Waterford in the opening 30 minutes.

Waterford went in front inside the opening minute of the game when Maria Delahunty pointed after she was picked out by Aileen Wall and on three minutes the Waterford attack gave Kerry a taste of what was to come for the remainder of the half as Roisin Tobin and Katie Murray combined to set up hat-trick here from their semi final win over Cavan Michelle Ryan for the Déise sides first green flag of the afternoon.

The industrious Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh pointed at the other end before Chloe Fennell pointed for Waterford before Kelly Ann Hogan scored a fine goal where she done much of the hard work herself on seven minutes to give Waterford a seven point lead.

Hannah O’Donoghue and Maria Delahunty swapped scores before Miriam O’Keefe and Amanda Brosnan hit points for the side from the Kingdom but it was not enough to see them end the first quarter trailing 2-3 to 0-4.

Waterford over the next six minutes played some of their best football in this game. Róisín Tobin and Maria Delahunty slotted points before Róisín Tobin hit her second of the game and it was Maria Delahunty who scored next a decisive third goal for Waterford after Aileen Wall had done some good work in the build up, and when Katie Murray followed up with a point on 22 minutes Waterford had a 3-7 to 0-4 lead.

Kerry throughout the league this year made changes for the second half but they were forced to make changes before the break here. After Miriam O’Keeffe pointed for Kerry with six minutes of the first half remaining, the Kerry selectors sent on Sophie Lynch for Sarah Murphy in defence and also replaced goalkeeper Robyn White with Kayleigh Cronin after the keeper picked up a hamstring injury.

Kerry did come more into the game after this. Michelle Ryan pointed with five minutes to go and when the ball went up the other end the crossbar came to Waterford’s rescue from a Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh effort and when the ball fell back to her Caoimhe McGrath took the ball off the line and cleared the danger.

Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh did point with Kerry’s next attack from a free but within seconds Waterford had the ball in the Kerry net for a fourth time when Aileen Wall played in Eimear Fennell who was unmarked in front of the Kerry goal.

Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Sarah Houlihan added late first half scores for the side from the Kingdom but it was not enough to stop them turning around trailing Ciaran Curran’s side 4-8 to 0-8.

Waterford goalkeeper Rosie Landers made an excellent save from Hannah O’Donoghue and when Katie Murray and Maria Delahunty followed up with points things were looking extremely good for Waterford.

But Kerry did make Waterford work hard for this win. Sarah Houlihan and Eimear Fennell swapped points before Hannah O’Donoghue and Aileen Wall did likewise. Karen McGrath took an effort from Hannah O’Donoghue off the Waterford goal line on 41 minutes which was followed with white flags from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Sarah Houlihan on 44 minutes.

Waterford’s fifth goal came at the three quarter way mark in this game when Eimear Fennell crashed the size 4 off the crossbar with Kelly Cronin beating it fell nicely to Aileen Wall who slotted home from just inside the small box to give Waterford a 5-12 to 0-12 lead.

Fiadhna Tagney and Sarah Houlihan pulled points back for Kerry before substitute Aisling Mullaney hit Waterford’s last score of the game on 51 minutes.

Kerry finished strong and while they scored a goal on 51 minutes when Lorraine Scanlon won a contest against Rosie Landers and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh and Sarah Houlihan hit further minor scores for Kerry, Waterford held on for an excellent win and will now compete in Division one of next year’s league.

The players and Management of the Waterford side have to be congratulated on this win and it would be nice to think that the side will receive some recognition on the win when it comes to the various sporting awards handed out in the county and in the region in the weeks and months ahead.

The Kerry side should also be recognised for the part that they played in this fine sporting game. In every game there has to be a winner and there has to be a side that does not win. To use the word loser at times is too strong a word and it would certainly be the case here. Kerry at one point found themselves 15 points down against Waterford but fought back to get within eight. On another day things could be much closer. In this game both Caoimhe and Karen McGrath took the ball off the Waterford goal line it looked as if a goal was going to be scored.

And someone else deserves recognition. It is often very easy to criticise the referee and the officials on duty at a game.

Today referee Gus Chapman refereed the game using a lot of common sense. The players of course made it easy for him. But how often have we seen in recent years a player issued with a yellow card and having to sit out the next ten minutes in which time a game can often be won or lost. Today the Sligo man did not have to flash any yellow card so well done to the referee on his part in a sporting spectacle.  

Waterford: Rosie Landers; Rebecca Casey, Caoimhe McGrath, Megan Dunford; Róisín Tobin, Karen McGrath, Kate McGrath; Michelle Ryan, Kelly Ann Hogan; Emma Murray, Katie Murray, Maria Delahunty; Eimear Fennell, Chloe Fennell, Aileen Wall.

Subs: Aisling Mullaney for Megan Dunford (36), Shauna  Dunphy for Eimear Fennell (60), Caragh McCarthy for Róisín Tobin (63).

Scorers: M Delahunty 1-04 (0-01f), M Ryan, E Fennell, A Wall 1-01 each, KA Hogan 1-00, R Tobin, K Murray 0-02 each, C Fennell, A Mullaney 0-01 each.

Kerry: Robyn White; Tara Breen, Aislinn Desmond, Ciara O’Brien; Sarah Murphy, Aisling O’Connell, Anna Galvin; Lorraine Scanlon, Amanda Brosnan; Ciara Murphy, Hannah O’Donoghue, Niamh Carmody; Sarah Houlihan, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Miriam O’Keeffe.

Subs: Kayleigh Cronin for Robyn White (26), Sophie Lynch for Sarah Murphy (26), Fiadhna Tangney for Miriam O’Keeffe (34), Emma Dineen for Anna Galvin (45), Eilis Lynch for Aislinn Desmond (60).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

 

Déise Ladies Eye Top Flight Football In 2020

            Parnell Park in Dublin is the setting for this year’s Division Two Lidl National Ladies Football League Final where Munster rivals Waterford and Kerry do battle.

            This will be the second meeting of these two giants of the game having already played in the second round of the round robin section of the competition at Tralee back in February where Waterford returned home with a share of the points on offer on the day.

However very little can and should be looked into that result as since the last meeting of the two sides, both sides are much different sides, and will field much stronger sides on this occasion compared to the last meeting.

This is the second year in a row that Waterford have reached the knockout stages of the league, having lost out to Cavan twelve months ago in the penultimate round of the competition but gained revenge for that loss recently when they beat the Ulster side who lost out to Tipperary in last year’s final, with a very strong closing quarter of the game after the two sides proved to be evenly matched for three quarters of the game.

Kerry twelve months ago competed in the top division of the National League but they were relegated at the end of the campaign which resulted in a change of Management ahead of the Championship where Kerry lost out to Cork in the Munster Final and to Dublin in the All-Ireland Quarter Final.

The last few years have seen the game make great progress in the Déise County. Some successful underage teams have been put together and some of the best of these players have been brought forward to play in the senior team and in truth have not looked out of place as they come in to replace more established players who have called time on their playing career.

Kerry would be one of the sides most expected to challenge for the promotion spot from this Division to play in the top league next year along with what is a very strong Armagh side but while the Ulster side made light work of finishing in the top four of the eight team group, the girls from the Kingdom did not have it as easy, finishing in fourth place, level on eleven points from a possible twenty one (Three points are awarded for a win in Ladies Football) with Clare but finished above the Banner County by virtue of having a better score difference after the two counties drew in their opening game of the competition at Doonbeg.

Waterford in their seven games suffered two defeats along the way at home to an excellent Armagh side on the day in Fraher Field in the middle of the competition and away to Clare in the last round of games in the Round Robin section of the competition.

Both sides would be expected to field very strong sides for Sunday’s final, with the Kerry Selectors maybe with more questioning to do as to what their starting team should be.

Laura Fitzgerald and Robyn White have in the main shared goalkeeping duties so far in the league. Laura Fitzgerald was the named goalkeeper against Armagh on the programme in the semi final but when the game started it was Robyn White that started between the posts and the selectors will now have to decide which of the two will start this game.

The full back line could well see Kayleigh Cronin at full back with Tara Breen and Aisling O’Connell on either side of her with the experienced Aislinn Desmond in the number six shirt flanked by Sarah Murphy and Anna Galvin.

In the middle of the field Lorraine Scanlon and Amanda Brosnan are two of the best in the business and have formed a formidable combination. The pair while an excellent combination between defence and attack are more than able to get up field and take scores when the chances arise.

In attack expect to see Sarah Houlihan anywhere in the half forward line with the central position the most likely place for her to start with Ciara Murphy and Niamh Carmody either side of her.

It is in the full forward line that Kerry can be really dangerous as they have three players who know where the posts are and what to do with the size four football when they have it in their hands.

Louise Ní Mhuirtheaigh is known to every supporter of Ladies Football in the Country and the ability that she has is well known. Either side of her we can expect to see Miriam O’Keeffe in one corner and Hannah O’Donoghue in the other.

Rosie Landers in recent years has impressed between the posts with different underage football teams and it looks as if she has made the number one shirt her own in her first year playing with the seniors having started the year behind Kelly Moroney after the Saint Patrick’s Club player played a number of games between the posts last year after Grainne Kenneally who had moved to fill the number 1 shirt last year before picking up a serious injury.

Caoimhe McGrath is one of the finest ladies footballers in the country and is a player that no player ever gets a soft time against. The duel inter county star (she played Camogie with Waterford this year) is likely to be once more at full back with Kathy Hayes and Rebecca Casey either side of her.

Megan Dunford could well be at full back and again just like her club colleague Caoimhe McGrath she is one of the best players in the country and is someone we will hear a lot more of in the years to come. Either side of her will be Kate McGrath who could also fill in at corner back and on the other side will be Róisín Tobin who is with the side now some years and is back to her very best after she picked up a serious injury twelve months ago while playing against Sligo in the league at the WIT Arena.

Karen McGrath in the middle of the field is another very experienced player who is involved now for a decade or more. Her value to any team cannot be stated enough as she is a player that can play in a number of positions if the need arises. Alongside her is expected to be Emma Murray again another brilliant young player who play in a number of positions.

Michelle Ryan in the semi final win over Cavan recently at Banagher finished the game with a hat-trick of goals behind her name on the score sheet is one of the longest serving players in the country on the inter county front. She is again another player whose value cannot be stated enough and if she can prove to be half as good as she proved to be against Cavan then the Kerry defence are going to be in for a torrid time on Sunday afternoon.

The Ballymacarbry player could well start on Sunday at centre forward and be flanked on one side of her by her club made Kelly Anne Hogan while on the other side you can pick one from Aileen Wall or Katie Murray with whichever of these two is omitted in the half forward line expected to start in the corner.

Maria Delahunty would be expected to start at full forward but could well swap places with Michelle Ryan while Eimear Fennell who came into the panel last year making a big impact expected to complete the team.

So who will win on Sunday?

Kerry in the eyes of many are going to start as favourites and it easy to see why. They played in the top division last year and did so for a few years before this and the experience of playing against the very best of sides will stand to them.

They will also be very confident going into the game having beaten a strong Armagh side that many expected to win this division in 2019.

But it must be pointed out as well for the above plus’ they only just about managed to secure a semi final place after the group stages of the competition.

And what of Waterford.

2019 saw Waterford compete in this division for the third year in a row, reaching the semi finals last year and just about held onto a place in division two the year before.

Maybe, three could be a lucky omen for Waterford and on more times than one on Sunday.

Waterford reached the Division three final three years in a row, losing to Armagh in 2014 and Sligo in 2015 before beating Tipperary in 2016 after a replay, meaning it took three years to get out of Division three.

Waterford has now appeared in Division Two for three years. Will they get out of the division and play in the top flight next year after three years in Division two. And on Sunday Waterford will be playing at Parnell Park for the third time since 2014 and having lost their previous two games at the venue can Waterford make it third time lucky on Sunday.

After seeing the game with Armagh at Fraher Field some weeks back and seeing how strong the Orchard County side were, I felt that if Waterford could avoid them in the semi finals that Waterford could well take them in a final if the pair were to meet again.

And while Armagh have bowed out of the competition against Kerry two weeks ago suggesting that Kerry are just as strong a side as Armagh are I am not going to change my way of thinking now.

For me it victory will be Waterford’s on Sunday. People regard three as a lucky number (third time lucky and all that) and how things happen in three’s. As pointed out already for Waterford there is a number of ‘Three’ factors going into the game on Sunday, so hopefully three will be prove a lucky number for Waterford.