Mahony's tally helps Waterford to First win

Waterford Senior Hurlers have recorded their first competitive win under new manager Derek McGrath after they beat Galway by six points at Walsh Park.

The Waterford management team announced the team for this game less then twenty four hours after they lost to Tipperary in Thurles and once it became known that Maurice Shanahan was going to be ruled out of the game after he picked up an injury against Tipperary changes were always going to be made to the team.

Six changes were made to the team listed in the programme as the management team opted to give competitive debut starts to Tadhg Bourke at corner back and Ryan Donnelly at corner forward and also opting to bring in Ian O’Regan between the posts with Ray Barry, Stephen Molumphy and Seamus Prendergast coming into the attack. The players to loose out from the team on the programme were Stephen O’Keeffe, Barry Coughlan, Jamie Barron, Jake Dillon, Stephen Roche and Shane Walsh.

Galway too were forced into making changes as Anthony Cunningham had to replace Jonathon Glynn who picked up an injury in mid week with Kevin Hynes.

In what was a very tight first half despite a good start by the visitors, the sides were level on five occasions in the opening thirty five minutes.

The game was only five seconds old when Conor Cooney had Galway in front. Padraig Brehony and Cathal Mannion added further points for the Tribesmen but Ray Barry who impressed for Waterford in this game found the range for Waterford to leave two between the sides with five minutes on the clock.

A brace of Pauric Mahony scores followed with an effort from Kevin Moran had Waterford in front for the first time but the sides would end the first quarter all square after Conor Cooney hit his second of the game for Galway.

This was without doubt Pauric Mahony’s finest seventy minutes in a Waterford shirt. He hit six first half points, three of which came from placed balls which helped his side to a 0-9 to 0-8 lead at the break.

Waterford began the second half in whirlwind fashion as Pauric Mahony, Seamus Prendergast and Ray Barry landed scores to extend Waterford’s lead.

The Visitors levelled matters thirteen minutes into the second half when Jason Flynn put the ball past Ian O’Regan in the Waterford goal after he capitalised on a slip by Tadhg Bourke which saw him fail to clear the ball out of defence.

However, the goal failed to ignite the Galway attack that were short the services of their Portumna players.

Ray Barry, Pauric Mahony, Ryan Donnelly, Jake Dillon, and Stephen Roche in the closing minutes of the game all had the umpire reaching for white flags.

Galway did try for the scores that could have got them something from this game by they came up against a watertight Waterford defence superbly marshalled by the brilliant half back line of Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh and Philip Mahony.

Others to impress for Waterford in this game for Waterford included Seamus Prendergast on the edge of the square, Ryan Donnelly, Ray Barry and Tadhg Bourke in at corner back. Stephen Molumphy before he was withdrawn also impressed as did the centre field pairing of Kevin Moran and Shane O’Sullivan.

Next up for Waterford is another home game with Dublin, which if Waterford win should bring them a step closer to a place in the quarter finals and if they were to follow it up with another good performance and a positive result away to Clare, Derek McGrath’s charges could secure a quarter final spot ahead of a tricky last league game away to Kilkenny.

Waterford: I O'Regan; T Bourke, S Fives, N Connors; J Nagle, M Walsh, Philip Mahony; K Moran, S O’Sullivan; R Barry, Pauric Mahony, S Molumphy; R Donnelly, S Prendergast, B O'Sullivan. Subs: J Dillon for B O'Sullivan, J Barron for Molumphy, E Barrett for S O'Sullivan, S Roche for Prendergast, G O'Brien for Barry.

Scorers: Pauric Mahony 0-11 (6fs), R Barry 0-4, S Prendergast 0-2, S Molumphy, S Roche, K Moran, J Dillon, R Donnelly 0-1 each.

Galway: C Callanan; F Moore, R Burke, J Coen; A Harte, I Tannian, D Collins; David Burke, P Brehony; K Hynes, C Cooney, J Flynn; N Healy, C Mannion, D Glennon. Subs: P Landers for Hynes, Daithi Burke for Glennon, D Dolan for Landers, R Cummins for Mannion.

Scorers: C Cooney 0-6 (2fs), J Flynn 1-0, C Mannion 0-3, P Brehony 0-2, N Healy, David Burke 0-1 each.

Referee: J Sexton (Cork)

 

Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A

Galway              2   1   0   1   44   37   2

Kilkenny            2   1   0   1   53   48   2 

Waterford         2    1   0   1   38   35   2

Tipperary           2    1   0   1   48   51   2

Clare                   2    1   0   1   36   41   2

Dublin                2    1   0   1   38   45   2

 

 

 

 

Waterford search for first points in this years National Hurling League

In the last two years, the National Hurling league games between Waterford and Galway have shaped Waterford’s fete in the competition, and this weekend’s game could well be the same.

Two years ago, Waterford travelled to Salthill written off by the majority of hurling supporters not just in Waterford but across the entire country.

Waterford had suffered losses to Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary in their opening three games and more of the same was expected. Changes were made to the Waterford management set up. Nicky Cashin and Brother Philip Ryan had resigned following the results achieved in their first three games working along side Michael Ryan and Pat Flanagan.

They were replaced by former county stalwarts Ken McGrath and Sean Cullinane and the move had an immediate impact on the team as Waterford recorded a rare win in the Western Province and in doing so secured their place in the top flight of the league.

Last year Galway visited Walsh Park for the final round of games. Going into the game Waterford sat top of the pile. A draw would secure a place in the last four of the competition, but it was not to be as the Tribesmen not for the first time gave Waterford a torrid time on their own patch and ran out winners.

Both sides finished level on five points. Waterford had the better score average but missed out on a place in the semi finals alongside Kilkenny and Tipperary as well as Division 1B winners Dublin as a result of loosing the head to head between the two.

This year’s game following Waterford’s loss to Tipperary last weekend is going to be crucial.

Wth big games to come against the likes of Kilkenny and Clare, Waterford will be targeting two points in this game along with the game against Dublin if they are to reach the knockout stages of the competition as Waterford will not want to finish in the bottom two of the league as it would mean a relegation play off.

Galway are a side that are hard to figure out at the best of times.

They are constantly putting together some excellent underage teams but are unable to bring this talent forward to the next level.

Two years ago they won the Leinster senior hurling final and in the All-Ireland final and its subsequent replay they had chances to beat Kilkenny but failed to take them and therefore had to settle for second best.

Last week they easily accounted for Dublin but hurling fan’s in Galway will be asking themselves can they put together s similar performance again.

Waterford down the years always tends to get the better of Galway in the championship but in the league it is the Tribesmen that often come out on top.

Waterford despite last weekends disappointing loss to Tipperary and Galway’s win over Dublin will be confident of collecting their first brace of points in this year’s league from this game.

In the first half against Tipperary Waterford looked good but in the second half the home side got on top. The half back line for Waterford which stood out in the first half never reached the same heights.

Scoring from play also proved a problem for Waterford in that game. If Waterford can put this to right this weekend, then the two points are there for them to be taken.

Lismore Camogie Club are days away from what is highlight of their 40 years celebration.

How fitting it is that Lismore should reach an All-Ireland Club Final in 2014. The current club in Lismore was formed in 1974 and celebrates the 40^th anniversary of its foundation this year.

Initially the club fielded three teams after its formation at under 16 minor and junior levels.

However since then, the club has grown from strength to strength and as more and more young girls and women not just in Lismore but from the adjoining areas that do not have the numbers to field teams themselves, so too has the number of teams that Lismore now field, as they have teams from under ten to minor as well as in Junior and senior levels.

Down the years, the Lismore have enjoyed numerous successes at all grades. While it is at senior grade that most people will talk about, if the work is not put in further down the ladder, then there cannot be success at senior level.

At present, the current senior team are enjoying much success. They have won the county championship in three of the four last seasons and have added the Munster Intermediate Crown on each of these years.

Added to this, the side from the Heritage Town has added the Senior League title to their roll of honour in the past two seasons. Coincidently, the prize on offer to the League winners each year is the Denny Buckley Cup. Denny was very actively involved with all things Lismore in the past and is the father of current player Laura who was the Lismore Captain last year when the cup was first played for.

Some great work is done each year within the Lismore Club for a long number of years, and this is clear to see with the amount of players that the club provides to the county each year.

Many of the current senior panel have played for the county at different levels in the past and right up to the present and have won varying honours with the county, including the 2011 All-Ireland Junior Premier Final, having lost the two previous finals.

For a long number of years, Lismore were Waterford’s representatives at Féile na nGael. Eleven years running, Lismore made the journey around the country for the annual festival of underage Hurling, Camogie and Handball taking home a trophy twice, the Division four title in 1989 which was held in Offaly and the division three title in 2006 in Cork, a finish that was Waterford’s best until Galltir won the Division two final in 2013.

Lismore first played senior in 1980 but did not win its first senior title until 1985. Over the following years they won the title many times but around the turn of the millennium their luck began to change and they went nine years without winning the title until doing so in 2010 when a number of young players who were part of successful underage teams began to make their impact in the team.

In 2010 after winning the County Final they went on to beat Newmarket-on-Fergus in the Munster final but lost to Derry side Eoghan Rua in the All-Ireland semi final. The following year after winning the county final they went on to beat Clonulty from Tipperary in the Munster Final but were beaten again in the All-Ireland semi final, this time against Ardrahan from Galway in Fraher Field.

Injuries hampered the team towards the end of the 2012 championship. Saint Anne’s beat them in the County Final played in Ardmore, but in 2013 they bounced back with a string of fine results that have brought them all the way to GAA head quarters and a meeting with Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

There is no doubting the ability that is within the current Lismore panel. There is a terrific blend with youth an experience. There is a winning mentality and a great bonding within the panel and a great determination. This was clear to see when the panel gathered at the Lismore Club Grounds on St. Stephen’s Morning for a training session, a morning where the players traditionally could be elsewhere or have other things on their minds.

Camogie in Waterford in the past number of years has seen a great revival. Clubs have got stronger while in some areas clubs have reformed or new clubs were formed.

We all know the only saying ‘third time lucky’. Lismore at the third attempt managed to come through an All-Ireland semi final and now that they are set to play at Croke Park, they will be looking to add to what is an already impressive roll of honour.

A win for Lismore would help further increase the level of interest in Camogie not just in the Lismore area but right throughout the county and it is a possibility that further clubs could be formed in the near future across the city and county should Lismore and Waterford experience success against Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Hannah Landers' Brace of Goals keep Waterford top of Ladies National Football League

With three rounds of games played in the third division of this year Ladies National Football League Campaign, Waterford sit proudly on top with maximum points after they followed their wins over Offaly and Wexford up with a win over Tipperary at Fraher Field.

This was always expected to prove to be a close game and that is exactly how it worked out.

The sides have met on a number of times in recent years and on each occasion the games went to the wire. For much of the game the visitors in this game lead and it looked as though John Leahy’s charges would collect a second win in this year’s league, but two goals from Hannah Landers, one in each half ensured that victory was going to be Waterford’s.

Tipperary had a great start to this game. Within two minutes of the start they were a goal up after Lorraine O’Shea capitalised on some early hesitancy in the Waterford defence and beat Aimee Jordan.

Waterford however hit back with points from Michelle McGrath on eight minutes and a minute later her Ballymacarbry club mate Mairead Wall added a second Waterford point.

Waterford took the lead just short of the end of the first quarter when Hannah Landers stuck a well taken goal, but sisters Claire and Edith Carroll hit back with points for the visitors to lock the scoring at 1-2 a piece.

Waterford hit the next two scores through Michelle Ryan and Linda Wall which proved to be the home sides last of the first half. The visitors however finished the opening half the stronger of the two sides as Gillian O’Brien, Mairead Morrissey and Claire Carroll all landed points which gave Tipperary a 1-5 to 1-4 advantage at the turn around.

Tipperary started the second half as they ended the first, hitting the first score through Lorraine O’Shea.

It was important now that Waterford scored and they did adding the next two scores from Linda Wall and Michelle Ryan.

Tipperary hit back with a brace of points from Mairead Wall which gave them a 1-8 to 1-6 advantage with forty two minutes on the clock, but a Linda Wall point her third of the game cut the visitors lead to just one with twelve minutes to play.

A minute later, Linda Wall took a quick free and found the unmarked Hannah Landers who blasted past Lauren Fitzpatrick in the Tipperary goal to give Waterford a 2-7 to 1-8 advantage.

Jennifer Grant pulled a point back for Tipperary but it was cancelled out with a Michelle McGrath effort. The Visitors through Claire Carroll hit the last score of the game (a point) but it proved to be too little too late as Waterford held on to keep their 100% winning start to this years league in tact.

Next up for Waterford is a long trip to the midlands to play Longford while Tipperary has a home game against Sligo. In other round four games Armagh are at home to Offaly and Wexford have home advantage against Leitrim.

Before that however, Armagh play Longford and Offaly play Leitrim in games that had to be postponed earlier on due to the recent weather conditions.

Waterford: Aimee Jordan (Abbeyside); Nora Dunphy (Comeragh Rangers), Ciara Dunphy (Comeragh Rangers), Mary Foley (Abbeyside); Louise Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Karen McGrath (Ballymacarbry), Róisín Tobin (Abbeyside); Michelle McGrath (Ballymacarbry), Elaine Power (Tramore); Linda Wall (Ballymacarbry), Michelle Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Mairead Wall (Ballymacarbry), Aileen Wall (Ballymacarbry), Margaret Revins (Old Parish), Hannah Landers (Ballyduff Upper). Subs:  Shauna Dunphy (Comeragh Rangers) for Margaret Revins, Liz Devine (Na Déise) for Louise Ryan.

Scorers: Hannah Landers 2-0; Linda Wall 0-3, Michelle McGrath, Michelle Ryan 0-2 each, Mairead Wall 0-1.

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ardfinnan); Sinead Delahunty (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Samantha Lambert (Ardfinnan), Rachel Kenneally (Aherlow); Siobhan Condon (Aherlow), Jennifer Grant (Brian Borus), Barbara Ryan (Moyle Rovers); Lorraine O'Shea (Mullinahone), Niamh Lonergan (Moyle Rovers); Edith Carroll (Galtee Rovers), Claire Carroll (Galtee Rovers), Gillian O'Brien (Moyle Rovers); Kirsty Downey (Cahir), Mairead Morrissey (Brian Borus), Shauna Ryan (Ballymacarbry). Subs: Brid Condon (Aherlow) for Rachel Kenneally, Emer Myles (Brian Borus) for Kirsty Downey, Maeve Hackett (Moycarkey Borris) for Siobhan Condon.
Scorers: Lorraine O’Shea 1-1, Mairead Morrissey 0-3 (0-1 frees), Claire Carroll 0-3, Edith Carroll, Gillian O'Brien, Jennifer Grant 0-1 each.

Referee: Mags Doherty.

Tesco Homegrown NFL Div 3 Division 3

	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Waterford	3	3	0	0	67	33	34	9
Armagh	2	2	0	0	47	21	26	6
Leitrim	2	2	0	0	54	31	23	6
Tipperary	3	1	2	0	44	41	3	3
Sligo	3	1	2	0	69	70	-1	3
Longford	2	1	1	0	28	32	-4	3
Offaly	2	0	2	0	21	54	-33	0
Wexford	3	0	3	0	32	80	-48	0