Waterford Camogie - Building for the future

 

 In recent years, great strides have been made in Waterford with the game of Camogie.

After a number of near misses, the Junior All-Ireland Championship was captured in 2011 and twelve months on, minus several members of the All-Ireland winning team, Waterford narrowly were defeated in the All-Ireland Intermediate Semi Final against a Galway team who went on to draw with a Derry side that many regarded as raging hot favourites to lift the title.

Titles have been won in the lower tiers of the National League. And success has also been achieved at underage levels.

Waterford are now competing with some of the best in the game now and this year narrowly missed out on a place in the league final.

Waterford’s most high profile player is Gaultier’s Trish Jackman. She has won the last four All-Ireland Puc Fada competitions, and her successes have encouraged young girls who hear and read about what she has achieved into the games.

New clubs have sprung up around the county, and there is still plenty of areas where clubs could well be formed in the near future.

While some counties when they start to reach the heights that they have set for themselves or as soon as they begin to move in the right direction, they feel that a lot of the hard work is done and they neglect to think about the future.

Not so the Waterford Camogie County Board however.

On Saturday last, they brought the potential next group of stars to Dublin to take part in the inaugural Under 14 tournament blitz. Taking part in Division two, Waterford were based at the Faughs G.A.A. Club in the Templeogue area of the capital.

Drawn in a group along with Antrim, Clare, Dublin and Galway, Waterford’s first game was against Clare.

It was the perfect start for the Waterford girls in this game. Leading 2-4 to no score at the break, Waterford continued to dominate in the second half, running out 3-6 to no score winners.

Waterford followed this win up with another, this time over the Metropolitans. The host county had the better of the early exchanges, and looked to be on their way to a half time lead, but a Waterford goal just before the break meant that the Déise girls went in holding a slender advantage.

Dublin were to add a second goal in the third quarter of the game which gave them the lead, but in the last quarter, Waterford hit a purple patch, crashing a goal to the Dublin net and followed up with two points which helped preserve their winning start to the competition, running out 2-3 to 2-0 winners.

Galway provided the opposition for Waterford in the third game. Waterford in this game again proved to be the better team and ran out worthy winners on a 2-7 to no score scoreline.

In a must win game for Waterford took on Antrim in the last game in the group section. Waterford just shaded the opening half and lead 0-3 to 0-1 at the break. In the second half, Waterford continued to dominate and in the end ran out worthy winners on a 1-5 to 0-3 scoreline which set up a final against Derry.

Hurling and Camogie has always been strong in the most Northern Province, even if the titles that sides from there deserved have not come their way.

Derry in this game showed exactly how strong the game is in the North and just like Waterford, they showed that they are not resting on their laurels and are trying to produce quality players to add to the calibre of player that they currently have at adult level.

Waterford started this game brightly, hitting two early points to send them into an early lead, but the Oak Leaf girls responded with two of their own to tie up matters. They were however to go into the break leading after they hit a late goal which gave them a 1-2 to 0-2 advantage.

Two points in the early exchanges in the second half further stretched Derry’s lead, and despite throwing everything at the Derry defence, the Northerner’s were able to hold out for a 1-4 to 0-2 victory.

If Waterford can keep this group of players together and at the same time able to form similar groups then, its fair to say that the future is defiantly Rosie for Waterford Camogie.

Waterford Panel that travelled to Dublin: Clodagh Glavin, Saoirse Bonner, Beth Carton, Bronagh Condon, Anne Corcoran, Ellen Curran, Chloe Dempsey, Caoimhe Drohan, Megan Dunford, Saoirse English, Sibeal Harney, Courtney Healy, Rachel McDonald, Kate McGrath, Kate McMahon, Emer Montayne, Niamh Murphy, Laura Murray, Chloe Nolan, Katie Norris, Sinead O Brien, Brianna O Regan, Aisling Power, Emma Power, Emily Prendergast, Aoife Shanahan, Emily Wadding, Sharon Williams.
Something tells me, this is a team we will hear a lot more about.

Race for the Waterford News and Star Cup down to last four

The draws for the semi final stages of JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford County Senior Hurling Championship have thrown up two intriguing battles.

Fourmilewater, the only team with an unbeaten record in this year’s championship have been paired with Dungarvan, while there is an all city clash between favourites De La Salle and Mount Sion who dumped holders Ballygunner out of the championship after they recorded a two point victory at Walsh Park.

Fourmilewater last weekend became the first side to reach the last four of the championship when they recorded a four point victory over Abbeyside at Fraher Field.

The three remaining quarter finals took place this weekend.

Dungarvan became the second team to reach the last four when they had six points to spare over last years beaten finalists Tallow in the first of two games played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

Dungarvan lead 0-8 to 1-4 at the break the Tallow goal coming from William Henley after nine minutes.

Despite playing into the teeth of a strong breeze, the Bride-siders settled the better of the two sides in the second half as points from Shane Feeney and Thomas Ryan gave them the lead.

However, once Gavin Crotty hit the Tallow net on thirty-five minutes there was no turning back in as far as the Old Boro were concerned and they ran out deserved winners on a 1-16 to 1-10 score line.

In the second game played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening Lismore and De La Salle fought out what was the best game of the championship to date.

Lismore started without Brendan Landers, Michael Colman, Shane Kearney and Maurice Shanahan and were expected to prove ‘fodder’ for De La Salle.

However, Lismore put in a terrific hours hurling and with former hurler of the year Dan Shanahan and rising star Ray Barry causing all sorts of troubles for the De La Salle full back line, the final outcome of the game was in doubt right to the end.

A Dan Shanahan goal on seventeen minutes gave Lismore a 1-5 to 0-4 lead, but six unanswered points in the last seven minutes of the half was good enough to give the city side an 0-12 to 1-7 lead.

With thirteen minutes of the second half played De La Salle held an 0-18 to 1-9 lead but goals from Ray Barry and John Prendergast within second of each other had the sides all square after forty-four minutes.

With five minutes remaining, the sides were still level but points from John Mullane and a brace from Jake Dillon gave De La Salle a three point advantage with the hour played.

A goal following a goal mouth scramble by John Heneghan drew the side’s level and it looked as if Extra time was going to be needed to find a winner.

However, a last grasp point from Eddie Barrett handed victory to De La Salle on a 0-24 to 4-11 scoreline.

The final game of the weekend saw Mount Sion dump champions Ballygunner out of the championship.

The champions got off to an excellent start with Barry Mullane hitting the net on five minutes adding to an early David O’Sullivan effort.

However, Mount Sion responded well and with Martin O’Neill proving to be accurate with his shooting, hitting four first half points, and with Ken McGrath and Austin Gleeson also finding the target, the sides retired all square 1-3 to 0-6.

Throughout the third quarter of the game the sides were tit-for-tat and at the three quarter stage mark the sides were still all square.

The introduction of veteran Anthony Kirwan proved to be a master stroke for the Monastery Men, as he hit two points after coming into the fray which helped his side to a four point lead.

A late Ballygunner goal from David O’Sullivan gave them much hope, but it was Ken McGrath who rolled back the years to send over the score that helped his side to a 0-16 to 2-8 victory.

Meanwhile, Ballyduff Upper retained their senior status for the 2013 campaign. They beat last years Intermediate Champions Dunhill in a relegation play off final at Lemybrien on Saturday afternoon.

The County Board meanwhile have confirmed that the semi finals will take place at separate venues.

Mount Sion and De La Salle will meet at Walsh Park on Saturday 29 September at 5pm and will be followed twenty-five hours later with the meeting of Dungarvan and Fourmilewater at Fraher Field.

Elsewhere, the Intermediate and Junior Hurling championships are also down to the last four.

An Rinn have joined Cappoquin in the Western Intermediate Hurling Final after they recorded a 2-16 to 1-18 victory over Clashmore in a replayed divisional semi final at Fraher Field on Friday evening.

The Eastern final will see neighbours Clonea and Portlaw do battle after semi final wins on Saturday in Kill. Clonea had a 2-14 to 1-10 win over Mount Sion and Portlaw who many are making favourites to move up a grade for 2013 had a 1-24 to 1-16 win over Saint Saviours.

In Junior Hurling, Colligan have joined Geraldine’s in the Western Final. Last weekend, Geraldine’s had a controversial win over Saint Mary’s and on Sunday at Fraher Field Colligan had a 2-21 to 3-15 victory over a fancied Ballysaggart side. The eastern final sees last years beaten finalist Butlerstown take on Ballydurn who dropped down from the Intermediate grade a year after winning the Junior County Final.

Semi final pairings should be known this weekend.

Barring the need for a replay, by tea-time on Sunday evening we should know what four clubs will contest the semi finals of this year’s J.J. Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship.

Last weekend Fourmilewater became the first team to advance to the last four when they beat Abbeyside at Fraher Field in the first of the quarter finals and this weekend the remaining three quarter finals will be fought out at both Fraher Field and Walsh Park.

Two quarter final games will take place at Fraher Field on Saturday evening. Last years beaten finalists Tallow will meet Dungarvan in the first game which has a 4pm throw in.

Dungarvan have made great inroads in this years championship. After two years where they just about retained their senior status, they have made an all out attack on the championship this year and won group one of the league section of the championship recently when they beat Passage in Lemybrien and at the same time saw other results go their way.

Tallow have never looked like the side that got to contest last years final. They have struggled somewhat in the championship this year and some will saw that they are fortunate to be able to contest this stage of the championship.

On paper, both sides have good panels to choose from, with both containing some exciting players. Both sides have a number of players that has played for the county at all levels. Tallow in particular have players that have played Senior Inter County hurling in both the league and championship while Dungarvan have a number of players that have played a lot of underage inter county hurling in the last number of years.

Dungarvan from their five games played in the championship head into this game with the better scoring for average and the better scoring against average. They get the nod to win this game, but expect Tallow to make a game of it.

The second game on the programme in Fraher Field on Saturday evening sees De La Salle take on Lismore. The city side this year are vying for their third County Senior Hurling Championship win since 2008 while the side from the west of the county has not brought the winners trophy to the banks of the Cathedral Town since 1993.

On paper, it is hard to see but one outcome to this game. De La Salle have by the preverbal country mile are the most impressive team in the championship this year, and may are putting up the case that the present side are a better team than the ones that won the Waterford News and Star Cup in 2008 and 2010, and in truth it is hard to argue against such an argument.

They have been scoring for fun this year. They have hit seventeen goals and ninety-seven points in five games to date and at the other end of the field, they have proven to have the tightest defence, conceding just one goal and sixty two points.

Lismore are going to head into this game minus the services of Maurice Shanahan who has proven to be their most important player not just this year but over the past few years. He was sent off last day out against Ballygunner and will be a massive loss for his side in this game.

However, while Lismore have depended on him in recent times to see them over the line, his loss could and should give other players the opportunity to step up to the mark and show exactly what they can do and to show everyone that they do not depend on Maurice alone for scores.

We all know what older brother Dan can do. If he can get a supply of good ball against the Grace-dieu outfit, he could cause them some considerable damage and could swing what would be seen as a surprize result.

However, this is hard to see. Few will bet against De La Salle in this game. While Lismore’s chances cannot be ruled out, anything other than a De La Salle win and potentially with a little to spare, is hard to see.

The final quarter final game of the weekend takes place in Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon when two of the cities biggest sides, Ballygunner and Mount Sion do battle.

Neither of these two sides has played as we know they can this year and both only secured their place in the last eight of the competition after the last round of league games in this section of the championship.

Ballygunner are county champions and we all know that they are capable of much better than what they have served up to this point in the championship. However, in their defence, like every other club across the country, at different times in this years championship, they have seen players leave the country for some time this summer and Injuries have also not helped them.

The majority if not all of these players are not back in the famous Black and Red shirt and at full strength they will be keen to show us exactly what they are capable of doing.

Mount Sion to many are a pale shadow of the side that they once were. They have not contested a County Final since 2006 when they beat Ballygunner in the final. They still are able to choose from a number of players that helped them to what was a thirty-fifth county final success. These players are still key to the Monastery Men but they are not as young as they once were, and some have shown signs of slowing down a little in recent times.

They got to this stage of the competition by the skin of their teeth, beating Tallow and then Roanmore in a win must game in their last two league section competitions. They will be hoping that these wins will give them the confidence, and will be really looking to test Ballygunner.

Mount Sion go into this game with a better scoring average than Ballygunner in the championship to date but on the other hand, they have a worse of scoring average against ratio. This could suggest that a close game is in store, but it is hard not to bee the champions advance.

A fourth game is also down for decision this weekend. At the Lemybrien venue, Ballyduff Upper and Dunhill clash in a relegation play off final.

If Dunhill were to survive in this one, it would be a good year for them. The aim of all clubs that come up from the intermediate ranks should be to retain their senior status at the end of the first year playing at the highest level and this is what Dunhill will achieve if that win.

However, it is hard to see them win. Ballyduff Upper have some very experienced players throughout the field which could well cause plenty of trouble for Dunhill. Many will say that they are too good a side to go down, but as we have seen in the past, especially in other sports, there is no such thing as a side too good to go down a grade.

 

Weekend Fixtures:

Saturday September 15:

J.J Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship – Relegation Play off

Ballyduff Upper V Dunhill in Lemybrien at 2-30pm

 

J.J. Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter Finals

Dungarvan V Tallow in Fraher Field at 4pm

De La Salle V Lismore in Fraher Field at 5-30pm

 

Sunday September 16:

J.J. Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship – Quarter Finals

Ballygunner V Mount Sion in Walsh Park at 3pm

Déise Ladies sixty minutes from possible All-Ireland Glory

Waterford Ladies Intermediate Football team have qualified for this years all Ireland final at a date to be confirmed against Armagh, after they overcame the challenge of Fermanagh at Saint Brendan’s Park in Birr.

Michelle Ryan proved to be one of Waterford’s biggest heroines on the day hitting 1-6 of her sides total and in the process winning for herself the player of the match accolade.

Waterford made a flying visit in this game with Michelle Ryan hitting two points inside the opening two minutes of the game.

Fermanagh hit back and hit three points in a row. The Déise team would have known that Fermanagh’s full forward line was a dangerous line and with just eleven minutes of the game played they found out how dangerous they could be as all three had their name on the score sheet.

Sharon Little was first to find the range on three minutes. Seven minutes later the sides were all square when Caroline Little hit a free and within seconds of this they took the lead when Lynne McFrederick kicked a point to give the Erne County girls an 0-3 to 0-2 lead.

From the restart Waterford attacked the Fermanagh goal. Linda and Aileen Wall combined well to set up Shona Curran and from close range the Cappagh girl made absolute no mistake in blasting to the net.

It was now Fermanagh’s turn to attack the Waterford goal and points from Caroline Little and Noelle Connolly soon followed to leave the sides all square after quarter of an hour.

Waterford went back in front on sixteen minutes. Aileen Wall was pulled down for a penalty and after a slight delay, Michelle Ryan held her nerve hitting low and hard past the diving Roisin Gleeson who guessed right going to her left.

Caroline Little hit two points for Fermanagh to leave one between the sides with seven minutes of the opening half to play and six minutes later the sides were all square once more after Marcella Connolly raised an eight white flag in this game.

The Erne County at this stage were playing with numerical disadvantage after centre back Tara Little was sin binned inside the last three minutes of the halves conclusion.

Waterford with their player advantage made it count and before the half time whistle was blown they had taken a two point lead after Michelle McGrath and then Michelle Ryan hit points which helped Waterford to a 2-4 to 0-8 lead.

Waterford began the second half as they had finished the first and within seconds of the games restart, they had extended their lead. Hannah Landers hit an early point for the Déise girls and with in seconds Michelle Ryan extended Waterford’s lead to four.

With a player advantage Waterford were making all the moves and were unlucky not to have extended the lead even further. Linda Wall saw her effort hit the crossbar and seconds later Michelle Ryan saw her effort fumbled by Roisin Gleeson in the Fermanagh goal but Denise Chapman was on hand to Aleve any danger.

Aisling Moane and Noelle Connolly pulled points back for Fermanagh with ten minutes of the second half played, but Linda Wall and Aileen Wall hit points for Waterford and Michelle Ryan then added one which extended Waterford’s lead to five at the end of the third quarter.

Caroline Little converted a free but Waterford through Michelle Ryan soon but five back between the sides.

It was the Ulster side however that finished the game the stronger of the two sides. Roisin O’Reilly pointed with eight minutes to play and when Caroline Little and then Sharon Little followed up there was just two between the sides with three minutes to play.

Waterford however were able to hold out in the time that remained, and now play what is a fancied Armagh side in the final, in a game that was to have been played on September 30, but will now have to be moved as a result of the All-Ireland hurling final’s at Minor and Senior ending in a draw.

WATERFORD: Aimee Jordan; Aoife Landers, Grainne Enright, Nora Dunphy; Roisin Tobin, Grainne Kenneally, Karen McGrath; Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power; Hannah Landers, Michelle Ryan, Linda Wall; Aileen Wall, Shona Curran, Mairead Wall. Subs: Patricia Fitzgerald for Mairead Wall.
Scorers: Michelle Ryan 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), Shona Curran 1-0, Michelle McGrath, Linda Wall, Aileen Wall and Hannah Landers 0-1 each.

  
FERMANAGH: Roisin Gleeson; Roisin O’Reilly, Orla Reihill, Claire Woods; Marcela Connolly, Tara Little, Shauna Hamilton; Aisling Moane, Denise Chapman; Nuala McManus, Noelle Connolly, Aine McBrien; Sharon Little, Lynne McFrederick, Caroline Little. Subs: Donica Beattie for Nuala McManus, Brenda Brogan for Shauna Hamilton, Shauna Woods for Lynne McFrederick.

Scorers: C Little 0-6 (5f), S Little & N Connolly 0-2 each, R O’Reilly, M Connolly, A Moane and L McFrederick 0-1 each.


Referee: J Flood (Wexford).

Jamie helps Fourmile to last 4 spot.

Fourmilewater will contest the semi finals of this years County Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in a number of years after they beat Abbeyside at the quarter finals stages of the championship in Fraher Field.

Fourmilewater went into the game as favourites and did not disappoint those that had parted with their few euro on them, but they had to do it the hard way and it was only in the final quarter that the Ballymacarbry based outfit were able to tag on the scores that secured their place in the last eight of the championship.

The first half proved to be an even enough encounter with both sides retiring at the interval at six points a piece.

First blood in this game went to Abbeyside who hit early scores from Mark Fives and Gary Hurney. Fourmilewater hit back with scores from Jamie Barron and Liam Lawlor who hit the score of the game from just inside his own sixty-five metre line and from out near the side line to level matters.

Mark Gorman and Jamie Barron swapped scores which left the sides at three points a piece with seventeen minutes played.

Patrick Hurney and Mark Gorman hit points for Abbeyside to give them a two point lead and it was looking like an unexpected victory for the blue and gold shirts could be on the cards. 

However points from Brian Wall and Craig Guiry soon followed which levelled affairs once again at five points a piece.

Time still remained and both sides were able to a further score a piece. Mark Gorman sent Abbeyside back in front with a minute of the opening half to play but a converted Jamie Barron free meant that the two sides retired to the dressing rooms all square.

The scoring pattern in the second half was at a slow pace, but both sides began as they had left off at the end of the first. Jamie Barron and Gary Hurney traded scores to keep the sides all square and when Maurice O’Gorman followed up  with a point, it gave Fourmilewater the lead heading into the final quarter, one that they never lost.

The introduction of Richie Fenton had a positive effect on the Fourmilewater team. Points from Jamie Barron and Shane Walsh in quick succession extended their lead to three before Richie Fenton found the range with three minutes to go.

Mark Ferncombe converted a free on the hour mark and with three minutes to be added, there was still time left for Abbeyside to get something from this game if they showed the required hunger.

It was Fourmilewater however that showed the most hunger in added time and they hit a point through Jamie Barron which extended their lead to four and also securing their place in the last eight.

Fourmilewater: Conor Ryan; Justin Walsh, Rory Rice, Maurice O’Gorman; Shane Lawlor, Liam Lawlor, Thomas O’Gorman; Seamus Lawlor, Brian Wall; Michael O’Gorman, Diarmuid Wall, Craig Guiry; Shane Ryan, Shane Walsh, Jamie Barron. Subs:  Richie Fenton for Craig Guiry, JP Fitzgerald for Shane Ryan, Alan Lawlor for Diarmuid Wall.

Scorers: Jamie Barron 0-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65), Liam Lawlor, Brian Wall, Craig Guiry, Maurice O’Gorman, Shane Walsh, Richie Fenton 0-1 each.

Abbeyside: Stephen Enright; Maurice Power, Shane Briggs, Gavin Breen; Evan Collins, John Hurney, Patrick Lynch; Richie Foley, Mark Gorman; James O’Mahony, Gary Hurney, Mark Fives; Mark Ferncombe, Patrick Hurney, Shane O’Donovan. Subs: Shane Crotty for James O’Mahony, John Phelan for John Hurney, John Power for Mark Fives.

Scorers: Mark Gorman 0-3 (0-3 frees), Gary Hurney 0-2, Mark Fives, Patrick Hurney, Mark Ferncombe (free) 0-1 each.

Referee: Maurice Condon (Clashmore).

Abbeyside and Fourmilewater do battle in first of hurling quarter finals

This weekend is the second of three big weekends in Waterford hurling. Last weekend, 12 teams competing for the Waterford News and Star Cup were cut to eight and barring the need for a replay this weekend that number will be cut to seven.

Abbeyside and Fourmilewater have the distension of playing the first game in the knockout stages of this year’s championship and what a game it would well prove to be.

Fourmilewater go into the quarter finals as the only team with a 100% record in this years local championship, while Abbeyside will be the first to admit that they are rather fortunate to be playing this weekend and they will be hoping that they have not used up all their ‘Get out of jail free’ cards.

Last weekend they were well in control against Ballyduff Upper at the break in Cappoquin and to many it was going to be a mere formality for them in the second thirty minutes, all they had to do was to go through the formality’s and victory was to be theirs.

However, someone forgot to give Ballyduff Upper this script and what-ever was said to them at the break must have struck a cord. If there was a way of bottling it and putting it on the market, in these recessionary times, someone could be onto a winner.

The side from the far west of the county came out a totally different side. They started without Adrian Power, Stephen Molumphy and Tom Feeney, three players that are so important to them in recent years, but you would never have guessed that they were not on the field of play in the second half as they completely overwhelmed Abbeyside.

With just two minutes to go, they had overturned a 2-12 to 1-3 half time defecate and were one point in front after Brendan Hannon sent a penalty to the net. In fact they could have been even further in front as they had missed a first half penalty.

Credit Abbeyside however, they showed great bottle and refused to throw in the towel and with just seconds of the hour to play, they levelled matters after Mark Gorman put over a free.

This score not only gave Abbeyside a share of the spoils on the night, it gave them a place in the last eight of the competition at the expense of Ballyduff Upper who would have advance to the last eight had they won the game.

Fourmilewater have impressed people immensely this year. Its not too long ago that we were speaking them as the ‘hard luck’ team of Waterford hurling as time and time again they lost many of their games by a point or two.

We cannot speak of them as the ‘hard luck’ team any longer as they have turned things around. They are now not just winning some of their games but are winning them well.

Last weekend they played without Maurice O’Gorman, Brian Wall and Shane Walsh and despite trailing at the break by two points, superbly lead by Jamie Barron in attack, they were able to hit the scores that helped them to a eleven point victory.

Both of these sides are physically built and as a result when the two sides clash in Fraher Field it is expected that some hard digs will go in and the team that can withstand the most of these could emerge as winners.

Both sides have some very good players to pick from. Mark Gorman, the Gorman and Collins Brothers as well as Shane Briggs will be key for Abbeyside. For Fourmilewater, Liam Lawlor in the centre of defence, the O’Gorman brothers, Shane Walsh and especially Jamie Barron will be vital to their chances of victory.

To pick one over the other as victors with any degree of certainty is not an easy task. However, if pushed, I would join most and make Fourmilewater the slightest of favourites to advance to the last four of the championship. However, as so many scribes are tipping Fourmilewater to win, this will be an incentive for Abbeyside to raise their game and if they do, come out on top, it would hardly be considered the biggest shock of the year.

Quarter final pairings are now known.

The quarter final pairings in this years J.J. Kavanagh & Sons – Waterford County Senior Hurling Championship were confirmed over the weekend following the playing of the last round of games in the league section of the competition.

County Champions Ballygunner won their place in the last eight of the championship following a comprehensive victory over Lismore at Fraher Field. A brace of Barry Mullane goals and one from substitute Stephen Power did considerable damage to Lismore. The West Waterford side were also not helped with the sending off of Maurice Shanahan fifteen minutes from time, for something the reason for the sending off not apparent to many watching from the stand.  

As a result of Lismore’s defeat, Dungarvan top group one after the league section of this year’s championship after they beat a Passage side minus the injured Eoin Kelly. With seven minutes to play the sides were tied in Lemybrien at fifteen points a piece but four points, three from Cormac Curran in the closing minutes ensured that victory went to the Old Boro Club.

Game of the weekend was the group one game between Abbeyside and Ballyduff Upper at Cappoquin. Ballyduff played without the services of Adrian Power, Stephen Molumphy and Tom Feeney in this game and at the break trailed 2-12 to 1-3. However, a roaring second half performance by Ballyduff saw then crawl their way back into contention and with two minutes from time were a point in front. However a point from Mark Gorman in the last minute of normal time gave Abbeyside the draw that they needed to advance to the last eight of the championship at the expense of Ballyduff Upper.

Jamie Barron hit fifteen points for Fourmilewater in their 0-22 to 2-7 win over Tallow at Fraher Field. At the break it looked as if the Bride-siders were looking good for an un-fancied win, but in the second half they added just two further points to their first half tally while Fourmilewater who started without Shane Walsh, Brian Wall and Maurice O’Gorman were able to hit the required scored that helped them to a nine point victory.

At Walsh Park, Mount Sion won their place in the last eight of the championship after they had a five point win over neighbours Roanmore. A Martin O’Neill goal in the opening half helped them to a 1-9 to 0-7 lead at the interval. In the second half the sides matched each other score for score and the Monastery men ran out 1-19 to 0-17 winners.

De La Salle at Carriganore hit five goals past last years intermediate champions Dunhill, who now face a relegation play off in the weeks ahead. The two time county champions hit two first half goals helping them to a 2-14 to 0-8 lead at the break and in the second thirty minutes showed no signs of pulling up running out winners with thirty points to spare.

The draws for the quarter finals have paired Abbeyside against Fourmilewater this coming Saturday evening in Fraher Field. The three remaining quarter finals see Lismore take on De La Salle, Dungarvan take on Tallow, both at Fraher Field while at Walsh Park Ballygunner take on cross city rivals Mount Sion. This year’s relegation play off game will see Ballyduff Upper take on Dunhill at a time and venue yet to be confirmed.

 

 

Huge hurling weekend lies in store.

After a near three month lay off, the County Senior hurling championship resumes this weekend with games fixed for Fraher Field, Cappoquin, Lemybrien, Carriganore and Walsh Park.

Just three teams, Fourmilewater, Lismore and De La Salle at this stage are through to the quarter final stages of the championship and all the other nine teams still have the change of reaching the last eight of this years championship. The end result should be, some exciting and very competitive games fought out.

The permutations going into this weekends round of games are not worth thinking about as doing so could well mean that one or more could easily be forgotten about. What is important however is that teams collect the full quota of points on offer to them. For most teams nothing less than two points will be good enough.

Where two teams finish on the same amount of points, the team that wins the head to head between the two sides is the team that finish’s higher up the table regardless of score difference between the teams involved. In the even that three or more teams was to finish level on points, then the head to heads are forgotten about and its score difference that will decide the final placing’s.

Each game may last all but sixty minutes plus any stoppage time that needs to be played, but there is an awful lot of hurling to play in this time and it’s a distinct possibility that some twists and turns to happen.

Ballyduff Upper and Abbeyside clash at Cappoquin on Saturday evening. When the two sides clashed at Fraher Field last year, the side from the far west of the county caused a major shock by beating Abbeyside convincingly. Both sides have lost players this year due to immigration and it remains to be seen how many if any of these will make it home this weekend. Adrian Power would be a massive lost for Ballyduff if he does not make it home. His absence would possibly all but end any change Ballyduff would have of reaching the last eight. When Ballinacourty played Senior Football recently, they were short a number of players and if they were to miss this game as well it would be a blow to their side. I would expect Abbeyside to have too much for Ballyduff in this game and win a place in the quarter finals.

At Lemybrien, Passage and Dungarvan clash. As things stand, Dungarvan are things stand sit second from the top of group one and Passage are second from the bottom of the group. Dungarvan have one leg in the final and in other years at this stage of the championship that they have crossed the line but not this year. Passage are a side that can blow hot and cold. When they are good they can be very good, but the reverse is also through. With players like Eoin Kelly and Noel Connors to call upon they have great leaders and I would expect both to play a huge roll in this game. For me here, Passage are going to win and in doing so, they will join Dungarvan on five points and in the processes knock the Old Boro out of the championship winning the head to head between the sides.

The final game in group one is the meeting of Ballygunner and Lismore in Fraher Field. It’s well documented that Lismore have never beaten Ballygunner in Championship Hurling. Despite the fact that they are through to the last eight and up to this stage of the competition, Ballygunner despite been County Champions they have struggled somewhat this year. They have had some injuries to cope with and other players have left these shores in search of employment. I expect that some of those that left earlier this year will be back for this must win game for ‘The Gunner’s’ and win they will.

Fourmilewater are the form team in this years championship with four wins from four games. However, it is from here on in that I think things will get interested for the lads operating out of the Mill Field. Tallow were in last years County Final but up to this stage of this years championship, this is something that you would never have imagined as they have looked rather poor this year. However, in saying that, the same could be said of the Bride-siders for much of last year. It was from this stage of the championship that they started to put some good results together and they will be hoping to do so again this year. I expect Fourmilewater in this game will keep their 100% record in this years championship in tact and will enter the quarter finals as the only unbeaten team in this years championship.

De La Salle and Dunhill meet at Carriganore on Sunday. On paper its only possible to see one outcome to this game and if De La Salle were not to win, it would go down not just as the biggest shock in this years championship, but one of the biggest in a long number of years. Yes, Dunhill have done well in this years championship and the fact that they are in with a chance of reaching the last eight of the championship going into the last round of league games in their first season back playing senior in a number of years speaks volumes for them. While they have some good players, you cant but ask do they have enough players that are up to the standard of what De La Salle have in their panel.

Mount Sion and Roanmore clash in Walsh Park and this could well be one of the games of the weekend. Both sides are in the bottom half of group two but a win here for either side would be good enough to secure their place in the last eight. Mount Sion last time out put in their best performance in this years championship to beat Tallow in Fraher Field. This win should give them confidence and if they can put in another performance like that one, they should have it in them to win this game, especially if they are disciplined and therefore restrict the amount of chances Gavin O’Brien will have to shoot at goal from frees over the hour.

To sum things up, for me, its wins for Abbeyside, Passage and Ballygunner in group one on Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon its wins for Fourmilewater, De La Salle and Mount Sion, which will mean that the quarter finals of the championship will see Fourmilewater, De La Salle, Mount Sion and possibly Tallow (on score difference over Roanmore) that will advance, while in group two, Lismore, Ballygunner and Abbeyside could all finish on six points and thereofr score difference will come into the equation, while Mount Sion should advance as the fourth team in group two. It would also mean that Ballyduff Upper and Dunhill would be left to fight out to see which would drop to the intermediate ranks next year.

Fixtures for Saturday – Group One

Ballygunner V Lismore in Fraher Field at 6-30pm

Abbeyside V Ballyduff Upper in Cappoquin at 6-30pm

Passage V Dungarvan in Lemybrien at 6-30pm

 

Fixtures for Sunday – Group Two

Fourmilewater V Tallow in Fraher Field at 3-30pm

Dunhill V De La Salle in Carriganore at 3-30pm

Mount Sion V Roanmore in Walsh Park at 3-30pm.

 

League table for Senior Hurling Championship Group One

 

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Lismore	4	2	0	2	78	69	9	6
Dungarvan	4	2	1	1	81	71	10	5
Abbeyside	4	1	1	2	65	66	-1	4
Ballygunner	4	2	2	0	58	61	-3	4
Passage	4	1	2	1	76	81	-5	3
Ballyduff Upper	4	1	3	0	65	75	-10	2

 

League table for Senior Hurling Championship Group Two

 

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Fourmilewater	4	4	0	0	78	46	32	8
De La Salle	4	3	1	0	105	52	53	6
Tallow	4	1	2	1	62	85	-23	3
Roanmore	4	1	2	1	50	89	-39	3
Mount Sion	4	1	3	0	71	82	-11	2
Dunhill	4	1	3	0	65	77	-12	2