Changes have to be made in Munster Football Championships.

(Picture of Limerick V Cork this weekend with an empty terrace at the Gaelic Grounds in the back ground).

Kerry and Cork advancing to the semi finals of this year’s Munster Senior Football Championship at the weekend. What might be somewhat surprising however was the final result in both games.

As a Supporter of all Waterford G.A.A. teams, I have to admit, having seen the way that Kerry easily disposed of the challenge of Tipperary in Killarney on Sunday afternoon, I fear the writing could be on the wall for the Déise County this weekend.

Clare has the great Mick O’Dwyer in charge of them. Any place he has gone to manage he has brought them success. However, if he was to pull off a win in this weekends game against Cork, it surely would have to rank up there, and maybe above his managing of the great Kerry team of the late 70’s and early 80’s to four All-Ireland’s in a row and coming within a whiskers length of winning what would be a historic first five in a row.

Cork put 3-17 past Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds, conceding just eight points, while Kerry put 2-19 past a Tipperary side that finished the game with fourteen players and conceded eight points just like Cork.

While little on a given day separates Waterford, Clare, Tipperary and Limerick when it comes to football, it could be argued and accepted by most that of the four sides, Tipperary and Limerick are ever so slightly ahead of the other two.

With Tipperary and Limerick having put in disappointing performances this week and if as some would suggest that they are slightly better than Waterford and Clare, you would have to fear for the two sides entering the championship this weekend without a championship game at their backs.

It may not go down well with some, but the question must be asked, is now the right time to make changes to the way the Munster Championship is run off?

There will be some that will argue that to improve standards you have to play the best, but in playing the best and running the risk of suffering heavy defeats like what Tipperary and Limerick suffered this past weekend, are you really doing anything to help improve the standards of football in the weaker counties.

County Board’s and Provincial Divisional officers have to ask questions and to come up with the right answers.

Is now for example the time to introduce a Munster ‘B’ Championship when it comes to football, at all levels within the province?

Could a round robin competition be organised where Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare play each other in a league with the top two teams after three rounds of games are played advancing to join Kerry and Cork in the semi finals which would have an open draw to see who will play who.

Maybe it is time to re-introduce the Tommy Murphy Cup. It had its knockers. But the cup had its advantages.

Run between 2004 and 2008 inclusive, with the final played in August or early September each year, would the players from Clare, Tipperary, Louth, Wicklow or Antrim who won the competition, give back their medals if as some suggests the competition has or had no value.

The same could be asked of the players of Sligo, Wexford, Leitrim, Antrim or Wicklow that played in loosing finals. I am sure that all would agree it was a terrific chance for them to play at G.A.A. head quarters, especially the players from Sligo, Leitrim and Antrim as the Wexford and Wicklow players would every so often get to play a Leinster Championship game at the venue.

If the Munster Council was to introduce a ‘B’ Competition in Football, (I and many others I am sure would be surprized if they did), then they should also look to where games are staged.

While the Munster Council would decide which team is at home and which is away, with the fixtures reversed every second year, it is up to each county board to decide where games will be played and they will get the go ahead from Munster Council chiefs provided the ground nominated to play the game is up to the required standards.

However, they should try and discourage counties from playing at major stadiums. For such a game to be played at stadiums like Semple Stadium or the Gaelic Grounds would create an atmosphere like attending a Nun’s Wake.

Games ideally would be played at smaller ground’s, ones that hold a capacity in or around 10,000 people or less, (Cusack Park, Fraher Field, Clonmel, Kilmallock) where potentially, if the price structures are right, a good atmosphere could be created.

This weekend gone, without having the exact figures at my finger tips, its possibly fair to say that they generated a combined attendance at grounds that between then hold in or around 93,000.

Why is this? I am sure many did not show up because they felt the results were going to be a fore-gone conclusion.

Another reason could well be the price structures that the Munster Council use. To many in these financially tough times, €20 for general admission to a game or €15 as a concession is too much for most.

When working out whether people are going to go to Munster and All-Ireland Championship games, there is more to think about than the price of entry.

The cost of petrol or diesel will come into the equation.  So to will the cost of feeding yourself and who ever travels with you if the game is an away one and involves considerable driving time.

So too has to be thought of is the fact that the majority of the support for the G.A.A. comes from rural areas (I better run for cover now), and many of these supporters are involved in the farming community and it may have to be worked out is it worth getting in a relief milker’s for the day etc.

Changes have to be made in one shape or another. If they are not, then we are going to see weekends like the one we just had, low attendances and heavy defeats handed out.

Butlerstown and Lismore are County League Champions.

There was wins for Butlerstown and Lismore in the County League Finals played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening last.

In the Intermediate final between Butlerstown and Brickey Rangers it was the eventual winners that lead at the break 2-6 to 0-6, the goals coming from Caroline Fox and Claire Nolan.

In the second half it was Brickeys that proved to be the better of the sides outscoring their opponents four scores to two, but were unable to break the Butlerstown defence for the goal that they needed. Kate Marie Hearne to the fore finishing the game with seven points they ran out winners on a 2-8 to 0-10 score line.

Butlerstown Panel: Deirdre Brennan, Emer Kearney, Clodagh Doherty, Kate Walsh, Jean Burns, Breda Kennedy, Nicola Fitzgerald, Claire Nolan, Martina Cashin, Kate-Marie Hearne, Rachael Taheny, Claire O'Regan, Caroline Fox, Niamh Kennedy, Caroline Farrelly, Elma Farrell , Mandy Kelly, Michelle Burns , Sarah Kennedy, Rosemary Power, Vikki Falconer.

Brickey Rangers Panel: Siobhan Nugent, Dee Nugent, Hannah Murphy Nix, Catherine Hahesy, Elaine Curran, Rachel Donnelly, Nicola McCarthy, Caoimhe McGrath, Emer Scanlon, Ciara Scanlon, Alice Hahesy, Molly Curran, Theresa Curran, Una McGrath, Marian Ryan, Aisling Hourigan, Megan O' Connor,  Aoife Hickey, Hannah O' Connell, Christine Fogarty.

The senior final which followed was a repeat of last years final and a repeat of last years County Final as reigning county League Champions took on reigning County Champions Saint Anne’s.

This game was expected to be a close game and the players which played on the day did not disappoint when it came to filling peoples expectations.

When the sides clashed in the league section of the competition, it was the county champions that came out on top making them the slightest of favourites going into this latest battle of the two sides, but as everyone knows, when two sides clash in the same competition in close proximity, to win a second time is always a big task, the second game often favours the looser of the first game as they often have most to prove.

The reigning county champions were quickest out of the blocks, racing into a three point lead inside ten minutes of the game commencing.

The 2012 League Champions however were in no humour to lie down and roll over, leaving their opponents control how the game would pan out.

Lismore struck back. Aisling O’Brien sent a lengthy delivery into her forward line and the ball worked its way to Sinead Bennett who had the umpire reaching for a green flag.

Saint Anne’s now showed exactly why they are county champions. They struck back with a goal of their own straight away through Zoe O’Donoghue to restore a three point advantage.

Saint Anne’s over the following minutes proved to be the better of the sides and with four minutes of the half remaining, they held a six point advantage.

Lismore however were not the reigning league champions going into this game for nothing, and they showed exactly why they were. They never panicked and in the closing minutes they stuck a second goal through Laura Buckley which dramatically cut Saint Anne’s lead, to leave Lismore trail 1-9 to 2-3 at the break.

The second half proved to be equally as exciting as the opening half. Saint Anne’s in the second half hit four points, but Lismore who had Shona Curran in outstanding form at Centre Back continued to hassle Saint Anne’s at every opportunity.

The duel Inter County star was influential in everything her side did.

At the other end of the field Aoife Hannon was in equally impressive form, hitting eight points for her side over the course of the hour.

With time ticking down, just as was the case in the 2012 final of this competition between the same two sides, the two sides were locked together on the score board and it was looking as though the game would not be decided in one hour of play.

People say that history does not repeat itself, but in this game Lismore showed it does. In the final minutes of the game they proved to be the hungrier of the two sides, and with time ticking down, Caitriona McGlone while in procession of the ball spotted that Marie Russell was in a better position that she was and picked her out with a good pass and once in possession of the ball, she made no mistake in putting the ball between the up rights to ensure that her side’s name would be going on the Denny Buckley Cup for the second time.

Battles between these two sides have become a must see for supporters in recent times and with the championship to come, there is no doubting that the two of them will look to facing each other once more.

Come championship time, will Saint Anne’s retain the title they won last year, or will Lismore regain the title they last won in 2011. Maybe even we might see another club come in and break up the dominance of the two. Interesting times lie ahead.

Lismore Panel: Aisling O'Brien, Aoife Hannon, Aoife Houlihan, Ber O'Keeffe, Caitriona McGlone, Johanna Houlihan, Kate Heneghan, Laura Buckley, Marie Russell, Niamh Molumphy, Nicola Morrissey, Sandra Prendergast, Sarah Fenton, Sarah Geoghegan, Sarah Coughlan, Sarah Russell, Shauna Fennessy, Shauna Prendergast, Shona Curran, Sinead Bennett, Sinead Walsh, Clara Aarons, Lydia Mangan, Ruth Geoghegan, Grainne Kennelly.

St. Anne’s Panel: Rebecca Kavanagh, Labhaoise Dunbar, Ciara Keogh, Siobhán Kavanagh, Charlotte Raher, Claire White,  Clare Murphy, Jennie Simpson, Mairéad Murphy, Sinéad Cummins, Ciara Phelan, Karen Kelly,  Zoe O'Donoghue, Lorna Behan, Boonie Keating, Sarah Fitzgerald, Michelle McDonald, Aoife Behan, Bronwyn Grace, Catherine Queally, Angela Flynn, Niamh Behan, Pauline Cunningham, Niamh Rockett.

Meanwhile, on the National scene, the Gael Linn Inter Provincial Competition took place on Sunday afternoon at Rathleague, Co Laois.

Munster sent a strong side to this years competition, with Patricia Jackman (Gaultier) and Jennie Simpson (Saint Anne’s) representing Waterford and the counties Intermediate Manager Mark Cooney (De La Salle) as one of the selectors.

Munster in their semi final game proved too strong for Leinster. At the break they lead 4-4 to 1-8 and at the full time whistle lead 5-8 to 1-15.

In the second semi final, Ulster ran out 3-14 to 1-7 winners against Connacht to win a place in the final.

The Ulster girls brought their fine form their semi final win into the final and lead 2-3 to 0-8 at the break, but in the second half, Munster proved to be the better of the two sides, and ran out winners 1-13 to 3-6.

Munster Panel. Amy Lee, Emma Kavanagh, Amanda Dorgan (Captain), Aine O’Donovan, Amy O'Connor, Kaylyn Lee, Lauren Callanan, Deirdre Ring (all Cork), Patrice Diggin, Orla Young, Saidbhe Horgan, Aoife Fitzgearld, Anne Marie Leen (all Kerry), Mairead Ryan, Judith Mulcahy, Niamh Mulcahy (all Limerick), Shauna Quirke, Edel Nylan, Nora O'Brien, Julie Anne Bourke, Mairead Evinston, Ciannait Walsh, Karen Purcell (all Tipperary), Patricia Jackman, Jennie Simpson (both Waterford). Manager: Liz O’Mahony (Cork), Selectors: Mark Cooney (Waterford), John Lillis (Tipperary), Ger Sheedy (Limerick), Fiona Casey (Kerry).

Looking ahead to this weekend, Waterford and Cork meet in their re-arranged Munster Intermediate semi final. The game was to have taken place recently in Lismore but was called off when Cork were given a fixture where the selectors would have had to double up.

This weekend, the game will go ahead at the Tallow venue. Waterford go into the game with a good league campaign behind them reaching the semi finals before going out to Kildare, and will head into this game in a confident mood.

Tipperary await the winners in the final after they recorded a comprehensive win over Kerry recently.

 

The past few days have seen the staging of this years divisional Cumann na mBunscol Camogie Finals at Bushy Park and Walsh Park.

In the West, Lismore proved too strong for Garranbane in the division one final, in division two Glenbeg came out on top against Tallow. In division three Modeligo beat Coolnasmear, while in divisions four and five, there was wins for Kinsalebeg and Villierstown over Touraneena and Fews respectfully.

In the East, Ballygunner are division one champions after they beat the Presentation Convent from Waterford City, in Division two, Saint Ursuline’s are champions after they beat Dunhill and in division three, Seafield/Knockmahon beat Crehana.

 

 

 

Reigning League Champions take on County Champions in Fraher Field show down.

They met twice last year in big finals and it proved to be honours even.

Lismore emerged as winners on a 2-10 to 2-9 score line in last years final at Fraher Field and when the same two sides clashed in the County Final at Ardmore some weeks later, the rolls were reversed as the Mid County side ran out winners on a 1-12 to 0-9 score line.

In last years league final, the two sides were as evenly matched as the final score line suggests.

At the break the sides were all square. Shona Curran gave Lismore an early lead with a point, but Saint Anne’s hit back with 1-1, both scores coming from the stick of Zoe O’Donoghue.

Although Lismore through Shauna Kiernan pulled a point back, the mid county side soon stole a huge march on the side from the Heritage Town as Zoe O’Donoghue cracked home her second goal of the game.

Trailing by five points, Lismore cut Saint Anne’s lead with points from Ruth Geoghegan and Shauna Kiernan before Shauna Kieran struck Lismore’s first goal of the game.

Zoe O’Donoghue soon had Saint Anne’s back in front before Aoife Hannon with a brace edged Lismore back in front by a Niamh Rockett just before the break pointed for Saint Anne’s to ensure that the sides would retire at the break locked at 2-3 to 1-6.

Lismore at the start of the second half began very brightly. Ruth Geoghegan hit a second goal for the side in Black and Amber to which Shauna Curran and Nicola Morrissey added points to give Lismore five point lead with a quarter of the game still to play.

The sign of a good team is how they fight back after a spell when their opponents are on top and Saint Anne’s showed exactly why they are a top side as Jennie Simpson and Zoe O’Donoghue landed a brace of points to bring them back into the game.

Duel inter county star (Camogie and Ladies Football) Shona Curran hit over a free with time ticking down to draw the sides level and in added time Nicola Morrissey ensured that the Denny Buckley Cup, put up in honour the father of Lismore Captain Laura Buckley, and played for the first time would find a home on the banks of the Blackwater.

When the sides clashed at Ardmore a few weeks later it was Saint Anne’s that emerged 1-12 to 0-9 winners.

The league champions for that game went into the game minus the services of Aisling O’Brien, Grainne Kenneally and Ruth Geoghegan through Injury.

Even minus these players who would be a loss to any side, Lismore put it up to the eventual winners and at the end of a very low scoring first half, they held a 0-3 to 0-2 advantage.

The second game saw the pace really hot up.

Jennie Simpson was without doubt the Mid Counties most important player in this game and it was a thirty metre free ten minutes from time by her that proved to be the most crucial score of the game as it gave Saint Anne’s a 1-6 to 0-5 lead, putting some day light between the sides.

Both sides for this latest battle between the two are likely to be short some of their leading players.

Grainne Kennelly is out for Lismore as is Ruth Geoghegan. Also expecting to be missing is Caitriona McGlone who is sitting exams in the coming weeks. For Saint Anne’s Pauline Cunningham is out with an injury while Niamh Rockett is also understood to be carrying an injury.

However, there is still plenty of talent that will be on show for those that make their way to Fraher Field for a 6pm throw in on Saturday evening.

Lismore should be able to call upon the likes of Aisling O’Brien, a top class goal keeper Shauna Kiernan Nicola Morrissey, Laura Buckley and Aoife Hannon who are all inter county players, while for Saint Anne’s Zoe O’Donoghue and Karen Kelly could well prove to be a handful in attack with Jennie Simpson and Mairead Murphy also expected to play key rolls.

While Lismore and Saint Anne’s will fight out the main game of the weekend, it is not the only game to be played in Fraher Field this weekend. Prior to the Senior Camogie League Final, Brickeys and Butlerstown will do battle in the Intermediate final which also could prove to be a fascinating battle.

Fixtures.

Intermediate Camogie League Final: Butlerstown V Brickeys in Fraher Field on May 18 at 4-30pm.

Senior Camogie League Final: Lismore V Saint Anne’s in Fraher Field on May 18 at 6pm.

There is a familar look to S.H.C. with just two rounds played.

Four games in the second round of this year’s JJ Kavanagh and Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship were played over the weekend with games ending along expected expectations.

Two games were played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening and resulted in victories for city pair De La Salle and Mount Sion.

In the opening game apart from the first ten minutes when An Rinn put it up to them, De La Salle always looked like they were going to win this game. Dean Twomey helped set up Jake Dillon on eight minutes for a well taken goal and the rolls were reversed late in the opening half as Dillon set up Dean Twomey for a goal which helped the reigning senior Champions to a 2-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Two quick fire goals inside sixty seconds as the third quarter of the game helped extend De La Salle’s lead considerably and although An Rinn did manage some late scores they proves to be mere consolation scores and help put a gloss on their half of the score board.

The second game was a much more even game.

Abbeyside at the break held a 1-12 to 1-10 advantage. Their goal came very early in the game when a long ball into the Mount Sion goal mouth saw Ian O’Regan caught out with a blinding sun and Patrick Hurney finished to the net with ease.

Mount Sion however were not long behind as on eight minutes Sean Ryan set up Stephen Roche for a well taken goal which levelled matters at 1-2 a piece.

During the course of the game Mount Sion goal keeper Ian O’Regan made three top class saves to deny Abbeyside goal chances and those that will have people wondering with the Munster Championship game with Clare drawing ever closer, if the goal keeping position is as clear cut as some people are suggesting.

Towards the end of the game Mount Sion’s Ian Galgey picked up a serious injury which looks as though it will rule him out for a considerably large portion of the year.

Ballygunner recorded their first championship win of the year this past weekend when they accounted for Roanmore with some ease at Walsh Park.

Brian O’Sullivan hit the Gunners goal in a 1-20 to 0-11 victory. The game was marred by a melee early in the game that had up to 30 players involved in it.

In Cappoquin, Fourmilewater came out on top against Tallow. Both sides finished the game with fourteen minutes as Tallow’s Aidan Kearney and Fourmilewater’s Jamie Barron were send off in the third quarter of the game.

Tallow played with a strong wind in the first half but trailed at the break 2-5 to 0-8, both Fourmilewater’s goals coming from the stick of Jamie Barron.

The first came on eleven minutes when he gave Shaun O’Sullivan in the Tallow goal no chance with a powerfully driven shot the second coming on twenty minutes from the penalty spot after Craig Guiry was fouled.

Tallow began the second half well and won a penalty of their own two minutes into the second half but Thomas Ryan saw his effort saved by Brendan Lawlor.

The dismissal of Kearney and Barron on forty minutes was more of a blow to Tallow than Fourmilewater as the extra room in the Tallow full back line allowed Shane Walsh and Conor Gleeson more space to run at the goals.

Fourmilewater won a third penalty late in the game which Shane Ryan on free taking duty in place of Jamie Barron popped over the bar which helped his side to a 2-11 to 0-13 victory.

The games between Ballyduff and Lismore in Tallow and Dungarvan and Passage in Walsh Park were postponed due to bereavements within the Ballyduff and Dungarvan Clubs.

A win is a must for some clubs in this weeks Senior Hurling Championship games.

Six games were played in the first round of the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship last weekend, each ending in outcomes that hardly came as a surprise to many.

The twelve teams are back in action this week in the second round of the league section of the competition and while there is three more rounds to go in the league section of the competition, for a number of teams if they were to loose this weekend it could well prove to be a long summer.

Of the six ties down for decision,  two of the fixtures this weekend see sides that won last weekend square up to each other while two other of the fixtures see sides that failed to win last weekend take on each other.

The County Board have broken with tradition somewhat this weekend. Over the past few years’ games are predominantly played at Fraher Field or Walsh Park but this weekend in addition to the county ground and its secondary ground, games are also set to be played at Cappoquin and Tallow.

Two games are down for decision in Fraher Field.

Reigning Champions De La Salle take on the current Intermediate Champions An Rinn in the opening game at 6pm.

Last weekend, De La Salle for much of the game looked as if they were going to go under to Ballyduff Upper but a late Jake Dillon goal gave De La Salle much confidence going into the last few minutes and they eventually ran out winners by five points.

An Rinn last weekend played their first game in the senior ranks since they were relegated at the end of 2009. Against Tallow they came up against a side that looked well organised and eventually ran out winners with a little to spare.

While there can be no doubting, An Rinn have some fine hurlers, it could be argued that they are more of a football club than a hurling club and as they are now a duel senior club they will have to find a balance between the two codes, something very few clubs in Waterford can do over a number of years.

When the sides met in 2009, it was the then reigning champions that ran out winners, and you would expect them to do the same this time around.

The second game on Saturday evening at Fraher Field sees Abbeyside take on Mount Sion.

Last weekend both of these had contrasting results.

Mount Sion recorded a three point win over Ballygunner at Walsh Park while Abbeyside were well beaten by Passage at Fraher Field.

Abbeyside played last week without Richie Foley. While no one player makes up a whole team, to miss a player of his ability would be a body blow to any side. He did make his way out of the stand for the last few minutes of the game and some had a feeling that he might be thrown in so as to try and get something from the game but the selectors opted against doing so.

Whether he plays any part in this week’s game remains to be seen. If he is not fully fit and was to aggravate the injury that kept him out of action all year, it could mean that he would be out for a much longer period and therefore the selectors must ask themselves, with three more games to play after this weekends round of games are they better off holding off throwing him in until he is fully fit and playing an influential role in a game rather than loosing him for a considerable time longer.

Last weekend Mount Sion in their win over Ballygunner were best served by rising stars Austin Gleeson and Stephen Roche. They also have some good young players coming through such as the two Martin O’Neill’s and Ian Galgey and then they have a young player at the back by the name of Tony Browne who over the past few years as defied his critics and has shown that he is as good as ever.

After winning last weekend, confidence will be high in the Mount Sion set up and you have to feel that they have it in them to record a second win this weekend.

There is a double header at Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon.

Roanmore and Ballygunner get the ball rolling at 2pm.

Both of these sides lost last weekend so a win for both this weekend is a must.

Roanmore in there game against Dungarvan looked poor. Their star player was clearly carrying an injury and played a very small part in the game before he was taken off mid way through the second half.

On the day they struggled somewhat for scores. Laurence O’Neill was their top man on the day hitting 1-3 of his sides 1-9 with Daniel Murphy hitting 0-3.

If they are to survive another year at the top, they will have to put up bigger scores in the games they play and will also need to get more players on the score sheet. While the above mentioned Laurence O’Neill and Daniel Murphy are always likely to hit their three of four scores in every game, if Gavin O’Brien is not 100% fit or is well marshalled, then it is hard to see where the bulk of their scores will come from.

If there was a surprise last week it was Ballygunner loosing to Mount Sion. The outcome of the game was the same as the quarter final meeting between the same sides last year so it was hardly a surprise.

Pauric Mahony finished as top scorer for the Gunners last weekend and he is likely to finish with a good tally of scores this weekend.

Right throughout the Ballygunner team they have some very good players from Stephen O’Keeffe in goal, Alan Kirwan at full back, Shane Walsh, Philip Mahony and Barry Coughlan in the half back line, Shane O’Sullivan can play in the middle of the field or in attack while the likes of Brian O’Sullivan, JJ Hutchinson, and the already mentioned Pauric Mahony amongst others know where the posts are.

Ballygunner won’t be too put out over last weekends result. They know that they have it within them to reach the knockout stages of the championship, and should move a step closer to doing just that this weekend with a win here.

The second game at Walsh Park sees Passage take on Dungarvan.

Both of these sides recorded impressive wins last weekend and will want to keep their winning run going this weekend. In doing so they will move a step closer to the knockout stages of the championship, as four points which the winner will have after this game would normally be good enough to give a side a place in the last eight of the competition.

Last week between then the two sides hit nine goals. This week it will be interesting to see how many if any they will score.

Dungarvan hit five past Roanmore. Patrick Curran hit 2-1 on his debut for Dungarvan after coming on at half time.

Many of the players playing senior this year will have seem him play but few will have played against him and he could prove to be a handful for most defences this year as they will have to work out what is the best way to stop him.

Of course Dungarvan are not just a one man team. His brothers Cormac, Cathal and Colm are also fine players. Last week they shared 3-12 of Dungarvan’s tally of 5-15. Through in the likes of Gavin Crotty, Jamie Nagle, Ryan Donnelly, Shane Kearney and Kevin Daly and you can see some of the quality that Dungarvan have at their disposal.

Passage has plenty of talent to choose from. Last weekend, Eoin Kelly was their top man. He hit 2-5 and was involved in a number of other scores. Noel Connors at full back is back to his best after injuries last year, Killian Fitzgerald, Mark Wyse and Conor Carey can also play key rolls in a game while Sean Hogan who came on as a second half sub last week is an exciting prospect.

This could well prove to be the game of the weekend. It is one that could go either way, buy Dungarvan get the not to win, but a lot will depend on how well they can keep Eoin Kelly out of the game for as long as possible.

Fourmilewater and Tallow clash at Cappoquin on Sunday evening. Both of these sides began last week with a win and will look to extend that run.

This could well prove to be a very entertaining game. Fourmilewater are strong in attack while Tallow could well prove to be tough to break down at the back.

At the other end of the field, the winning and loosing of the game could well be decided by two players. Tallow’s Thomas Ryan, a player I have watched many times for a long number of years is a player that I think very highly off and was shocked somewhat towards the end of last year when I heard that he was omitted from the Waterford panel that were going into training for the Waterford Crystal Cup and the League, while Liam Lawlor is another player that I have been Watching for a number of years, all-be-it for a little less time than Thomas Ryan and am very impressed with.

Last weekend, Jamie Barron hit eight points for Fourmilewater and they will be looking to him to hit a similar if not higher return this weekend. Shane Ryan also impressed last weekend playing at corner forward, finishing with three points while Conor Gleeson, a player that many view as having a bright future hit a point after coming on as a sub in the last five minutes and he will be looking to start this weekend.

Thomas Ryan last weekend finished with 2-4. He is a player that knows where the posts are and will punish teams when given a chance. In Robert O’Sullivan and Evan Sheehan they also have players that know where to find the posts and will needed them to chip in with a few more scores this weekend to help take the weight of Thomas Ryan’s shoulders to be the main score getter.

At the back it’s great to see Aidan ‘Ringo’ Kearney back in the side. Over the past few years he has suffered his share of injuries. He looked to be coming back well last year but got injured played for Waterford against Clare and was then ruled out for the rest of the year.

Their half back line last week was made up of Mark and David O’Brien as well as James Murray. There is a lot of experience there between them and they could prove to be difficult to break down. Paul O’Brien in the middle of the field last week could just as easily be pushed up the field and if he was then he will take watching.

To pick a winner from this game is difficult put Fourmilewater gets the not to collect the points on offer.

The final game of the weekend sees near neighbours Ballyduff Upper take on Lismore in Tallow.

What a pity that this could not be played as a double header with the Tallow and Fourmilewater game in Cappoquin. To have the three clubs from the far west of the county descent on the Corner-stone venue along with the Fourmilewater fans could see a good attendance pass through the turn-styles, but it is not to be.

When these two sides have clashed over the past few years they have played out some good battles and this game is likely to be no different.

Both of these sides lost last weekend and they will not want to loose any further ground as they will know to do so will mean that they will find it tough to win one of the four quarter final places available from the group.

Ballyduff last week were somewhat unlucky not to have got something out of the game with De La Salle.

The Kearney’s were in fine form for the side from the West Waterford/North Cork border last week hitting 1-10 of their sides 1-13 with Michael finishing as the teams top scorer with 0-6.

Towards the end of last year Tom Feeney was missing some of his side’s games but last week it was great to see him back in the side and doing what he does best. Adrian Power and Stephen Molumphy were also in the side and helped there side greatly out. Brendan Hannon who is the side’s free taker over the past nearly two decades started on the sideline last week and it remains to be see if he will start once more as a sub and be sprung as some sort of an impact sub.

Lismore last weekend looked impressive at times against Fourmilewater.

Maurice and Dan Shanahan hit nine points out of 1-13 while name sake Jordan Shanahan hit 1-3 and showed signs that he is someone that we could see a lot more of as the year goes on.

Seanie Barry between the posts is now the side’s number one, having taken over from Brendan Landers who is the side’s manager this year, despite the fact he is a player that would be one of the first names on the team sheet for many other sides.

They also have good prospects in the likes of Ray Barry, Shane Heaphy and Paudie Prendergast and if they were in top form this year, they could well take beating.

Stephen O’Keeffe was sent off last weekend (somewhat harshly) in the eyes of some and is set to miss this game, so changes will have to be made to their team this weekend.

This is a game that could go either way. Down the years there is great rivalry between the two clubs as brothers have often found themselves attached to different clubs.

Lismore are the slightly fancied team to win this weekend, but it could well prove to be close, maybe very close.

   

No surprise results in opening round of games in S.H.C.

Six games were played in the first round of this year’s JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Hurling Championship over the weekend with none of the six games throwing up any surprises.

Ballygunner and Mount Sion got the ball rolling on Friday evening at Walsh Park.

When the sides met at the quarter final stages of the championship in 2012 it was Mount Sion that came out on top and while Ballygunner went into this latest battle between the two city sides, Mount Sion were not wrote off by anyone.

It was Mount Sion that hit the ground running, and at the break they held a 0-14 to 0-7 advantage.

Pauric Mahony proved to be Ballygunner’s leading tallies man on the day hitting ten points for his side but he was powerless to stopping his side going under twenty points to seventeen. For the winners they were best served by rising stars Stephen Roche and Austin Gleeson.

Two games were played at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

In the opening game Passage came out on top hitting 4-15 past Abbeyside who hit 1-15 themselves, a tally that is often good enough to win most games.

Former inter county hurler Eoin Kelly was literally on fire for Passage in this game hitting 2-5 for his side and was involved in setting up many of his sides other scores.

First half goals from John Whitty, Eoin Kelly and Killian Fitzgerald helped Passage to a 3-8 to 0-9 lead at the break. Goals in the second half were hit by a second goal from Eoin Kelly in the second half helped Passage to a comfortable win in this game, who if they can keep up their form up over the coming weeks and months could have a say on where the Waterford News and Star Cup will find a home come October. A Patrick Hurney goal fro Abbeyside proved to be a mere consolation score, but did help improve their score difference which could well prove crucial at the end of the league phase of the competition.

The second game on the cards on Saturday evening was the clash between Ballyduff Upper and De La Salle.

The current champions were given a real fright in this game and were made fight right to the end to secure an opening round win against the side that were involved in a relegation play off last year.

Ballyduff Upper at the break held a 1-9 to 0-9 lead, the goal coming on sixteen minutes when former Waterford captain Stephen Molumphy did well to set up Shane Kearney.

Inside the closing ten minutes of the game Ballyduff Upper held a one point lead. They won themselves a twenty metre free all-be-it from a very tight angle and rather than try and put it over the bar, they opted to try and work the ball into a more favourable position but they were caught out.

De La Salle cleared the ball and sent it down field where Dean Twomey split the posts to level matters. A Jake Dillon goal for De La Salle quickly followed to send his side three points clear. Points from John Mullane and Jake Dillon followed to help De La Salle recorded an opening round 1-18 to 1-13 victory.

In the first game played at the Shandon Road venue on Sunday afternoon, last years runners up recorded a massive 5-15 to 1-9 win over Roanmore.

Dungarvan were always on top in this game. First half goals from Cormac Curran and Jamie Nagle helped Dungarvan to a 2-8 to 1-4 lead at the break, the Roanmore goal coming in stoppage time courtesy of Laurence O’Neill.

Dungarvan introduced Patrick Curran for his Senior Championship debut at the break and he had one to remember hitting a point inside twenty-five seconds of coming on and later hitting a brace of goals. Cormac Curran hit his second goal of the game for Dungarvan early in the second half.

The second game at Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon saw Fourmilewater take on Lismore. This game was expected to be close and the two sides did not fail to disappoint.

The games only goal came on eight minutes, Dan Shanahan set up young Jordan Shanahan who impressed in this game to smash the ball past Brendan Lawlor.

The remainder of the first half remained evenly poised and after thirty minutes of hurling it was Jordan Shanahan’s goal that separated the sides as Lismore retired holding a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage.

Fourmilewater began the second half brightly. Maurice Shanahan and Jamie Barron hit early scores for their respective sides before Dermot Ryan and Jamie Barron hit points to leave just one between the sides.

Alan Lawlor levelled matters for Fourmilewater and which was followed with points from Diarmuid Wall and Shane Walsh which gave Fourmilewater a two point lead.

Lismore fought back however and on sixty minutes the sides were all square but three minutes into stoppage time Jamie Barron put over a long range free to give his side a 0-17 to 1-13 victory.

The final game of the weekend was played in Cappoquin on Sunday evening. Last years Intermediate champions were expected to put it up to Tallow who had a disappointing year last year having reached the final twelve months earlier.

First half goals from Thomas Ryan and William Henley helped the Bride-siders to a 2-6 to 0-7 advantage at the break.

A second Thomas Ryan goal early in the second half helped in no small part to a 3-8 to 0-10 victory.

Games in round two of this year’s championship take place this coming weekend, following which sides that lost this weekend could find themselves in a lot of trouble if they don’t win in round two.