Cratloe are the bookies favourites to reach a unique senior hurling and football Munster Club Final, but The Nire won’t mind

The last time The Nire played in the Munster Senior Club Championship (2006) they reached the Munster Final loosing out to a Dr Crokes team which included Colm Cooper in it at Cork on a 2-5 to 0-8 score line.

Of course The Nire won the Conway Cup again in 2008, but because a decision was taken to suspend the championships in Waterford that year as the counties senior hurlers went on a winning run after loosing the Munster Championship opener against Clare, a run that saw them contest the All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny in early September, a team was not ready on time to contest the Munster Senior Club Football Championship.

Suspending Championships and not having a team in place to contest the Munster Club Championship in the three grades is something that is not new. It happens in many counties. We saw it happen in Tipperary this year. They did not have a team in place to contest the Munster Senior Club Football Championship and the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship.

The GAA at Central Council level have purposed that the Club Championships be finished in the one calendar year and this is something that should be welcomed by most club players in most counties as the current practice in many counties means that they miss out on representing their counties at a provincial level, a chance that for some could be their only chance in their career.

Of course The Nire is not the only Waterford team to reach a Senior Club Football final. Two years before they did so, Stradbally reached the final, drawing with the Clare Champions Kilmurray-Ibrickane 0-9 each before loosing the replay 0-9 to 0-8, and a year after The Nire contested the final, Ballinacourty were in the final loosing 1-10 to 1-7 against Dromcollogher Broadford from Limerick, and back in the 80’s when Kilrossanty were the top side in the county, they too reached a final, but like those that contested finals after them defeat was their lot.

Sooner rather than later it can’t but feel that a Waterford club will contest and win a provincial final and there is some that feel that 2014 will be that year.

Clare champions Cratloe travel to Fraher Field this weekend to challenge The Nire in the semi finals. They will travel to Dungarvan as the clearest of favourites, which is something that will not worry The Nire too much as they will know that many did not give them any hope going into their recent County Final game against Stradbally at the same venue.

The Clare side are both Senior Hurling and Football champions in the Banner County and are safely through to the hurling decider against Limerick champions Kilmallock after beating Tipperary champions Thurles Sarsfields in Ennis last weekend, and if they were to beat The Nire this weekend that would become one of a handful of teams to appear in both the senior hurling and football decider in the one year.

Of course The Nire will already know how strong the Clare Champions are likely to be as just twelve months ago, they beat Ballinacourty in Ennis on a 1-10 to 0-11 score line just under twenty four hours after winning the Clare championship.

Cratloe to reach this weekends game have played just five games and against three different clubs.

They began their year with a 2-12 to 1-12 win over Eire Óg  and followed it up with a 1-8 to 1-4 win over Cooraclare.  

These two wins gave the East Clare outfit a quarter final spot against O’Currys a game they won 0-16 to 1-9 and in the semi final Cooraclare were again to provide the opposition a game that Cratloe just as in the first meeting of the two won by four points, this time on a 0-12 to 0-8 score line.

Eire Óg were to provide the opposition for Cratloe in the County Final a game that the champions won a little easier than the first meeting of the sides. Three points separated the sides the first day, in the county final it was seven.

Goals that day from Conor McGrath after he was set up by Podge Collins on five minutes and by Collins seven minutes later proved to be the key scores in that game.

Podge Collins is possibly Cratloe’s most famous player and he has former Limerick footballer John Galvin playing alongside him this year which is a huge plus to the Clare side. However the Clare side do not rely solely on these two as Cathal McInerney, Liam Markham, Barry Duggan and Conor McGrath amongst others are all fine footballers.

The Nire go into this weekend’s game with a one hundred per cent win record at their backs having recorded wins over Ballinameela, St Saviours, Stradbally, De La Salle and Gaultier in the group stages of the championship.

In the quarter finals they beat neighbours Rathgormack by three points and in the semi final just one point separated them from An Rinn.

In the county final Stradbally again provided the opposition and the Nire put in a polished performance on beating them 0-11 to 0-6 at Fraher Field.

Last time out The Nire played Limerick champions Ballylanders in the quarter finals of the Munster Championship, a game that The Nire possibly served up their best performance of the year winning on a 1-11 to 0-7 score line in Kilmallock.

Teenager Conor Gleeson has received some glowing reports for his most recent performances and rightly so, as he truly is a fine prospect.

The Nire however do not rely on him to produce the goods as right throughout the team they have some fine players.

No doubt the Clare champions will have come up with a plan to try and curtail him if as I suspect they did see him in the win over Ballylanders and maybe even against Stradbally, but to try and keep him quite could mean that the focus would allow someone else to be the person to make the headlines and in the likes of Shane Walsh, Liam Lawlor, Jamie Barron, Brian and Diarmuid Wall, the O’Gorman brothers Michael, Thomas and Maurice and Shane Ryan they have some fine footballers who can turn a game at a moments notice.

At 8/15 in the bookies, the Clare champions will be fancied to win to overcome the challenge of The Nire, but with what could be a decent gathering behind them, especially with Brickeys involved in a curtain raiser to the game, a sixteen man for the Benjie Whelan’s side could prove to be decisive in their quest to reach a second Munster Senior club final in the clubs history.

Brickeys welcome Kerry champions to Fraher Field

Just over twelve months after they lost their place in the Waterford Senior Football Championship for this year’s competition after seven years of competing, Brickeys recently secured their place in the senior championship for 2015 after a one year stint in the Intermediate grade.

The Bushy Park outfit were always favourite to win the win the championship in the Western division this year and duly and many made them certainties to beat Portlaw in the County Final, but the result was far from a certainty as the Tannery Men put it up to the Western Champions who had three points to spare at the end of the hour.

To get to Sunday’s game in Fraher Field, the Kerry side had to play just four games. Not much game time I here you say for the Kerry Champions coming into this game, but there is of course a very good reason, the championship in Kerry is run on an all county knockout basis.

Their first game saw they beat Saint Mary’s 1-12 to 1-9 and in round two things were much closer as they beat John Mitchell’s 1-9 to 1-8. Now in the semi finals Ardfert had their biggest win of the competition up to that point as they beat Castleisland Desmonds 1-12 to 0-10 and in the county final against Spa it was another five point win this time winning on a score line exactly the same as in the semi finals.

However, while sides in Kerry may not get many games in the championship, it is more that made up for in what are very competitive games.

Ardfert played in the third division this year in the all county league which began on the second last weekend of March and which still has one round of games still to play.

In total to date they have played ten games in the league and are currently in seventh place having won four, drawn one and loosing five games to date.

It is maybe worth noting that of the four games won to date, all four have come against sides that are below them in the table at this point and their last game is against a Scartaglin side that are currently sitting bottom of the pile. Their best result of those that are above them in the table was against Glenflesk who are currently third in the table a game that ended on a 0-14 each draw.

Brickeys head into this game after a good year.

In the league section of the Western Championship they had good wins over The Nire’s second string team, the Geraldine’s, Ballyduff Upper, Sliabh gCua and Dungarvan and suffered their only defeat against Ballinacourty second string team on a 1-8 to 0-10 score line in their third game.

In the Western semi final, they had a 0-17 to 2-8 win over Geraldine’s and in the Western Final they had a 0-9 to 0-5 victory over Ballinacourty which set up a county final recently at Walsh Park against Portlaw, a game they won 3-8 to 1-11.

The visitors to Fraher Field will be looking to David Griffin their goal scorer in the county final against Spa as well as Damien Wallace who missed that game through suspension and John Egan who played in the Hurling/Shinty international against Scotland that weekend for big games and will also be hoping to have Darren Dineen back in the side after injury.

Carthach Shalloe is Brickeys top scorer all year and they will be looking for him to find the range as often as possible this weekend if they are to advance. Others that they will need big games from include Conor and Shane McGrath, Conor Phelan, Diarmuid Tobin, Philip Walsh, Tommy Lynch Cormac O’Grady and Emmett Gaffney.

Football in Kerry is a religion and it is seldom if ever you see a poor team represent the county and this Ardfert team will travel to Dungarvan believing they can win.

Brickeys however will be playing in a setting that they will be very familiar with and with a large vocal home support (hopefully) it could well prove to be the difference in helping them move to the next phase of the competition.

Modeligo head to Limerick for Munster Semi Final clash

Modeligo make their second entry into the Munster Club Hurling Championship on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Limerick to take on Limerick champions Feohanagh/Castlemahon in the semi finals of this year’s Junior Hurling Championship.

Modeligo previously played in the competition in 2008 and were beaten by Cork champions Dripsey on a 3-17 to 0-12 score line.

This will be the second game the Limerick side have played in this years championship having beaten Tipperary champions Skeheenarinky at Cahir recently, a game that members of the Modeligo club took the opportunity to make the short journey to see over the Knockmealdown Mountains to see their potential opponents in action.

The Limerick side were only a representative of the Treaty County in the competition when they played Skeheenarinky as they had not won the county final at the time, only winning it last Sunday after a replay against a Na Piarsaigh side who could not play in the Provincial competition as they were a second string side.

The drawn final in Limerick was one that was shrouded in controversy at the end of the hour.

The city side on the night were celebrating on the field after looking up at the score board which showed they were ahead 0-16 to 2-9, but it was up to the Limerick County Chairman Oliver Mann on the night to take procession of the microphone in the Mackey Stand at the Gaelic Grounds and announced that the score on the score board was incorrect that the game had finished in a 0-15 to 2-9 draw.

Strangely the local media after the game in Limerick reported after the game that as the match referee Paddy Lyons was heading to the dressing rooms he confirmed that the score on the score board was correct, but the Limerick County Board insisted on a replay taking place which took place early on Sunday last, this time with no such controversy taking place as Feohanagh/Castlemahon ran out easy winners on a 0-20 to 0-9 score line.

Modeligo head into this game on the back of a great year and what ever happens in this game will not change that.

Both the Junior Hurling and Football leagues in the West of the county have been captured and they then added the Western Final with an excellent win over Colligan who were the favourites of many to win the championship and in the county final they proved far too strong for a Bunmahon side that had surprised many in winning the Eastern championship.

It has to be said that Modeligo travel to Limerick with a very balanced team, and are able to call on some experienced players from the stand if things do not work as planned for the starting fifteen on the day.

Coached by former Ballyduff Upper and Waterford hurler Pa Kearney, they have played an attractive brand of hurling all year and should they go on to December’s final and get the chance to take back to Waterford the trophy that Ballysaggart won last December, they will not let the county down nor will they be lacking support.

In Pa O’Donovan and younger brothers Seanie and Nicky, man of the match in the county final Jamie Troy as well as his brothers Shane and Michael, another set of brothers in Brian and Kieran McCarthy, Thomas ‘Tyler’ Walsh, former Inter county hurler Pat Fitzgerald, and All-Ireland winning minor from 2013 Tom Devine, Modeligo have the players to win this game.

However, while they have trained hard and played some challenge games since their last championship game, nothing beats competitive games which outweighs challenge games or training sessions any day and in the last month, Feohanagh/Castlemahon have played three games and that has to county for something.

New award honours Seamus O’Brien, who will be the 2014 winners of Annual awards

The final nominations for this year’s Waterford GAA Awards which are to be sponsored by the Local Bar in Dungarvan will be made known by the weekend.

The nominations for the Club of the Year were announced on Monday evening last at the launch of the awards and already there is some debate going on as to who is included and more importantly who is not included.

The clubs revealed as those in contention for Club of the Year are County Senior Football Champions – The Nire, County Senior Hurling Champions – Ballygunner, Western and County Intermediate Hurling Champions – Cappoquin/Affane and Western Junior Football Champions – Old Parish.

Trying to second guest the final deliberations of the committee in charge of the awards which consists of Brendan Tobin, Gerry Whelan, Richard Tobin, John Sheehan, Pat Casey, Michael Wadding, John Jackson, John Murphy and Sean Breathnach is not an easy task, and no doubt before the final winners in each category are announced there will be a lot more debate.

For what it is worth, and just to add to the debate as some will say I like to do, I have decided to pick out who I would pick as the winner of each category. I must say I do not know who is nominated for any of the other awards, and if I get things correct it will be by fluke more than anything else. I must say that all of my nominations are going to go down well with many.

Adult Hurler of the Year; Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion). The Mount Sion Club man is just a year out of playing minor but in 2014 showed that he has a bright future ahead of him in adult competitions.

Austin is one of these players that generate a lot of debate amongst hurling supporters. A lot of these debates just like another Mount Sion man that graced the game for a long number of years – Ken McGrath is as to whether he is best suited as an attacker or a defender.

In 2013 he was a key member of the Waterford minor team that won a first All-Ireland at this grade for Waterford since 1948. In these games he played at centre back and shun there. It is a belief of mine that if he was not positioned where he was Waterford may not have won the final and maybe not have qualified for it.

Mount Sion over the past few years at senior level tended to start him in attack and when Derek McGrath called him up to the Waterford Senior Panel and played him in a number of games he too favoured him as an attacker.

However towards the end of the year, the Mount Sion selectors switched him to the half back line and he steadied a ship there that was starting to sway. Playing at centre back Mount Sion reached the county final and with some luck and maybe a little more fire power on the day in attack the Monastery Men could have won the game.

In what was a hugely disappointing year for Waterford in senior hurling, the young Mount Sion man always gave lets be honest many disgruntled Waterford fans, a glimmer of hope.

Adult Footballer of the Year: Mark Ferncombe (Ballinacourty). The county senior football championship was not set alight by many this past year. Too many games were drab affairs, and often the outcomes of games could be foretold well in advance. The only thing that had to be confirmed was the winning margins in games.

There was however some good performers along the way. One of these was Ballinacourty’s Mark Ferncombe.

He has been one of the best players in the county around with some time now and is a player that should be admired by all young budding footballers as he is a player that can kick the ball comfortably with both his right and left leg.

In this years championship he hit 5-19 for his side of which 2-7 came in one game.

He is a player that clearly knows where the posts are and if he finds that others are in a better position to him he is able to pick them out with a telling pass.

Mark was not part of the Waterford senior football set up in 2014, but with aspirations of getting out of division four this year hopefully Waterford will be able to call on as many of its best footballers as is possible, including Mark. If Waterford can call on as many of its best footballers then its stay outside of the bottom division could be longer than when promotion was achieved.

Young Hurler of the Year; Patrick Curran (Dungarvan). Some years back when involved in Bord na nÓg I saw Dungarvan playing I remember seeing this small lad playing in attack for them and thinking to myself, wow this lad is going to be special. I had seen some good players down the years, some of whom fulfilled the potential they showed at a young age, but this lad was possibly the best of the lot. He quickly won a first county medal (under 12) and over the next two years two more medals followed.

Up along through the age groups he impressed and more and more honours followed.

Since he broke into the Dungarvan senior team, making his championship debut last year as a second half substitute against Roanmore he has developed further as a player.

He played a major part in helping his side win the County Minor Championship this year, he played a similar roll in helping the Old Boro win the under 21 western championship and would be expected to play a part in their upcoming county final against Ballygunner. He helped his side reach the semi finals of the senior championship and played a major roll with the minor inter county team this year.

Young Footballer of the Year; Conor Gleeson (The Nire). The young Nire Club Man has received rave reviews this year and rightly so.

In the senior county final some weeks back he kicked five points all from play and in the quarter finals of the Munster Club Championship he was again impressive against Limerick champions Ballylanders, kicking a goal in the first half of that game.

A duel minor star this year, he is regarded by many as one of the best minors in Munster this year.

After his performance against Stradbally in the county final he had many suggesting that he should be part of the Waterford senior set up in 2015, which if he was he would not be out of place.

Club of the Year: Modeligo GAA Club. Some say I love to give the chefs pot a good stir and that I am doing again here.

To be honest I can’t work out what they were not included in the final shake up for the official award. Last year Ballysaggart were not included in the final three or four clubs and after doing so they went on to win a Munster Final. I know Modeligo have a step or two to take before they repeat what Ballysaggart achieved, but if they were to and there is nothing to suggest why they won’t, further questions will be asked as to why they were not in the final round of voting.

Like many other small rural clubs they have only a small pick to choose from. Coached by former Ballyduff Upper and Waterford hurler Pa Kearney he has got the best out of them and they are playing a very attractive brand of hurling.

They beat a very fancied Colligan side to win the Western Junior Hurling final some weeks back and then went on to beat Bunmahon rather easily in the county final.

They have also won the Western Junior Football League and the Western Hurling leagues.

Special Merit Award: - Trish Jackman, Lismore Camogie Club and Waterford Camogie County Board. I am sure some will say that here I am again giving the pot a good stir but I am deadly serious.

Camogie is a game that has come on leaps and bounds in recent years within the county, thanks in no small part to the work of a small number of dedicated hard workers. In other counties camogie receives a greater deal of promotion to what it does in Waterford, what with playing of games before important hurling games etc. Hopefully this is something that we will see in Waterford not before too long.

The past year was a great one for Camogie in Waterford. Lismore won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship for the first time beating Ballyhale Shamrocks in Clonmel after the sides drew at Croke Park. They went on to win a fourth county senior championship in five years and only last weekend won a fourth Munster Title in five years.

On the inter county front Waterford had another great year. The Counties under 14 team won the ‘B’ section of the All-Ireland Blitz in Dublin for the third year in a row. The under 16 team when a step further than they did in 2013 winning the ‘B’ All-Ireland with the minor team also winning the ‘B’ Championship.

At Adult level, the league did not go Waterford’s way as they were without the Lismore players on the panel, but they put up a good performance against Tipperary in the Munster Senior Championship and for the third year in a row reached the All-Ireland Intermediate semi final.

Trish Jackman has become the queen of the long puck competition held each August bank holiday weekend. This year the Gailltir Club sharp shooter won her fifth successive national title.

And to round off a great year for camogie in Waterford, Gailltir retained the Division two National Feile competition they won in 2013 on their travels to the North and De La Salle the same weekend won a division three title at the same competition.

In what was a great year for Camogie in the county, it would be only right to recognise the game and those that work for its promotion.

Jack Furlong Award – for outstanding service to the GAA in Waterford – Eddie O’Shea. This award presented each year to someone who often works hard for the promotion of the GAA often very much in the back ground with little or no fuss.

Over the years there have been some very worthy winners of the award. Last years winner was Ann Ryan who worked hard with the Waterford Supporters Club in Dublin for many years and who also worked hard locally in a number of different ways down the years.

In recent years those that have worked at underage levels for many years have been the recipient of this award including the late Jimmy McCarthy of the Melleray/Glen Rovers Club and who served as Treasurer of West Waterford Bord na nÓg for many years. Another who won the award for his work in Bord na nÓg is Jack Laffan of the Portlaw Club and who like Jimmy worked with Bord na nÓg as Treasurer of Bord na nÓg in the east and also at county levels. Both proved to be popular winners of the award.

Eddie would be another worthy winner of the award. For a number of years he served as secretary of Western and County Board na nÓg, serving as PRO of the Western Division for a short spell before taking over as Chairman for a number of years and then moving on to be chairman of county Bord na Óg.

While involved in Bord na nÓg he also was responsible for appointing referee’s to games in the West of the County and at the same time was also a referee himself for a long number of years.

He was also for a number of years involved with some of Affane’s younger teams and in more recent years he reverted back to being a committee member of Western Bord na nÓg and was also appointed equipment officer of the county board.

Eddie has was the team secretary for the county minor football team and also served as manager for two years.

Seamus O’Brien Award: This is a new award in 2014 and the trophy was presented to the County Board recently by Brendan O’Brien (BOB) in honour of a man who was one of the greatest administrators that the GAA has ever known.

Seamus got involved in administration at Club Level with Abbeyside in the early 1950’s and quickly became a respected official not just within his own club but also by officials in other clubs.

He was appointed as Secretary of the Western Board in the early 1960’s and in the mid 1970’s he was elected as the counties Central Council official, a position he held until he had to step down from the position in 2009 because of the introduction of the new sometimes controversial five year rule.

Following the death of Pat Fanning, Seamus was elected as President of the GAA in Waterford, an honorary position he held till his death in 2013.

Along the way Seamus held a number of other positions and was often the first source of contact for many who needed something clarified as Seamus’ knowledge of the rules and procedures was regarded as unquestionable by all.

Seamus also worked with Bord na nÓg and was often a valuable friend to any new officer who Seamus would take under his wing and gently help them in their position, whatever it may be. Seamus also was a correspondent with the Dungarvan Leader for over 50 years and for many his column each week was the first part of the paper to be read.

The award presented by Seamus’ family is a lasting memory to what was a true and knowledgeable gentleman.

The award will be presented to someone that is or was involved in administration within the GAA in Waterford. There are many that will have to be considered each year and I am sure that whoever gets it will be a worthy winner.

So who should the first winner be?

Often the best administrator’s are those that go about their job in an effective way and being fair with all they have to deal with. The best administrators are also those that are involved with the least prominent committee’s.

A worthy first winner of the award (in my eyes anyway) would be Breda Cleary. For many years Breda was a member of the Western and County Cumann na mBunscoil committee’s. For a decade and a half I was dealing with Breda and must say that I always found her a pleasure to deal with. Finals would often be fixed for a certain date, venue or time, and something unforeseen would crop up, or finals would clash with under 12 or 14 finals due to be played on the same day. But it could be solved easily enough with a quick phone call to Breda who would help in any way she could.

Breda also was very active in the Primary Games for a long number of years as a co-ordinator, working alongside the different teachers that were in charge of each team.

Cornerstone Men advance to Munster Final

 I am around long enough now to know that when it comes to hurling, the later the year goes on, the better Cappoquin can get. You write them off at your Pearl.

On Sunday last we saw this when Cappoquin looking dead and buried in the eyes of some midway through the first half stages a late great surge in the second half to advance to a Munster Intermediate Club Final against Limerick side Bruff when they beat Clare champions Feakle at Sixmilebridge.

Cappoquin were first to score in this game through Shane O’Rourke who was the man of the match in the county final win over Saint Saviours.

However, the Banner champions were soon in their strides and knocked over points from Oisin Donnellan, Shane McGrath, Donnellan again, Gary Guilfoyle and Con Smith to give them a five points to one advantage on the score board.

Shane O’Rourke pulled a point back for the Cornerstone Men from a free but the side playing on a ground that was considered home to them on the day soon hit back with points from Shane McGrath, Henry Hayes, McGrath again and Raymond Bane to give them a 0-9 to 0-2 lead with twenty-three on the clock.

Shane O’Rourke hit back with two points from frees and then scored from play after some good work by Killian O’Sullivan to move within four of the Clare champions, but the home side would retire at the break with a five point cushion after Shane McGrath split the posts from a free.

In my days as secretary of West Waterford Board na nÓg for five years either end of the Millennium, at meetings Clubs were often told that if they were holding tournaments or challenge games they would have to let the board know. This was not a rule invented by the board officers, it was an insurance thing. Most clubs abided by it and officially let me as secretary know what was happening, but one club refused to do to. I am sure not too many guesses to figure out which one.

I would be verbally told that a challenge game would be taking place on a particular Saturday, but I always knew what was actually happening, as I was involved with my own club at the time and as neighbours would be invited to participate in tournaments, and I would often attend helping out with the team on the day.

I never had a problem with these tournaments. In fact I loved them. I believed that allowing younger children play against players of their own age in a relaxed atmosphere learning the skills of the games naturally far out weighted the coaching that the GAA wanted to promote uniformly where young children were all been told they had to do things a certain way.

Every club had these tournaments, but Cappoquin when that step or two further. The famous Mass Lane Cup tournament was also another great way of helping players develop and most if not all of the present Cappoquin team would have come through these tournaments and it is not benefitting them now and playing in such tournaments showed in the second half of this game. Bringing players in to compete in the Mass Lane Cup from neighbouring clubs was also a good idea as it helped players taking part to develop as well but I always had a fear what would happen if one of these players were to get badly hurt, how they would be covered when it came to insurance.  

The second half began with Oisin Donnellan and Shane O’Rourke trading points to keep Feakle five points in front, O’Rourke’s score coming from good work from Andy Molumby and PJ Curran in the build up.

Cappoquin had a chance to cut that lead soon afterwards when they won a sixty five. The ball fell short and as Eibhear Quilligan tried to deal with the ball he failed to do so properly and when it fell to Finnan Murray he tried his luck at having a green flag waved, but his effort was cleared off the line put out for another sixty-five which Shane O’Rourke converted.

He did manage to cut the difference on the score board to four soon afterwards and it was soon down to one, as Finnan Murray set up Andy Molumby and the inter county minor star from 2014 made no mistake in beating Quilligan in the Feakle goal.

The home side enjoyed a period of dominance in the minutes that followed as Colin Nelson, Raymond Bane and Henry Hayes helped them into a 0-14 to 1-7 lead.

Shane O’Rourke hit back with a brace of points for Cappoquin only for Shane McGrath to hit a single score for the Clare side.

Shane O’Rourke and Finnan Murray hit points for Cappoquin to leave one between the sides. Cappoquin were now on a bit of a roll and they soon found themselves with another good goal chance, Eibhear Quilligan doing well to deny Finnan Murray who put the ball out for a sixty-five which Shane O’Rourke unusually missed.

Paul Murray drew the sides level and when the same player followed up with his second of the game, the spirits of the large Cappoquin Support on the day were on a real high.

That lead was extended when the impressive Shane O’Rourke put over from a free but it was cut by one before the end when Colin Nelson hit his second of the game.

The Clare side in the time that remained did try hard to get something from their game, but all they got for their efforts was to have their numbers on the field cut when Shane O’Grady was dismissed on a straight red card late in the game.

Cappoquin march on, and will take on Bruff confident that they can bring the Munster Intermediate Club Championship to Waterford for the first time.

Cappoquin: Donal O’Rourke; Patrick Morrissey, Colm Looby, Timmy Looby; Shane Murray, Conor Murray, David Cahillane; Paul Murray, Finnan Murray; Shane O’Rourke, Andy Molumby, Colin Landers; Shane Coughlan, PJ Curran, Killian O’Sullivan. Sub: Damien McCarthy for Colin Landers.

Scorers: Shane O’Rourke 0-11 (5f, 1 ’65), Andy Molumby 1-0, Paul Murray 0-2, Finnan Murray 0-1.

Feakle: Eibhear Quilligan; Justin Nelson, James Noonan, Evan McMahon; Killian Bane, Eoin Tuohy, Con Smyth; Henry Hayes, Shane McGrath; Enda Noonan, Raymond Bane, Oisin Donnellan; Colin Nelson, Gary Guilfoyle, Martin Daly. Subs: Sean O’Grady for Martin Daly, Colm Naughton for James Noonan.

Scorers: Shane McGrath 0-5 (4f, 1 ’65), Oisin Donnellan 0-3, Henry Hayes, Raymond Bane, Colin Nelson 0-2 each, Con Smyth, Gary Guilfoyle 0-1 each.

Referee: Nathan Wall (Cork).

 

Shocks live another day

What is it about teams wearing red in county finals played at Walsh Park and late come backs.

Just over twelve months ago, we say Passage capture their first Waterford Senior Hurling Championship, beating their neighbours Ballygunner by three points having found themselves seven points down with seven minutes of normal time to play.

On Saturday afternoon, at the same venue and with different teams involved, this time in football, a much harder game to get scores in, Old Parish with ten minutes to play found themselves seven points down.

I am sure that while it be admitted to loudly there was some in the stand watching on from Kill who believed that victory was theirs, they were going back to playing in the Intermediate grade in 2015 having played Junior for the past two years, and there would be some in the stand from Old Parish who were believing that their wait for a first county final since 1949 would have to be put on hold for another year.

However, no game is over till the final whistle is sounded. You have to expect the unexpected. You have to keep going, no matter what and this is what Old Parish did.

Kill in the eyes of many went into the game as the favourites to win. They appeared in last years Eastern Final where they were beaten by a Mount Sion side who were knocking on the door in Eastern and County Finals with a number of years, and with the Monastery Men having moved up to Intermediate for 2014 after winning last years final against Colligan, the mid county side were always fancied in the east of the county and more over so when they locked horns with neighbours Fenor.

Old Parish however were never going to be too far away from reaching this stage of the championship. Colligan who won the western final in 2013 and who were beaten in the 2013 co final were always going to be expected to be the strongest side in the west again this year but with Old Parish haven added Graham Guiry and Declan Ryan to their panel this year they were always going to be in with a major shout.

This was a game of two halves if ever there was one. No I tell a lie, it was a game where Kill not dominated the opening half, they were also the better side for twenty minutes of the second half.

Old Parish to be honest it has to be said only showed up for the final ten minutes of this game and the extra four minutes that were played at the end. Had they put in the effort they did in the final minutes of the game from the off, you can’t but wonder would the game have a different outcome for them.

Ray Hennessy the hero for Kill in their Eastern Final win over Roanmore was again to the fore for the mid county side in this game.

He gave his side a good start to this game with a point from a free on two minutes. Kill followed up with efforts from Anthony Kiely and Ben Gallagher but no score resulted from these efforts.

On eight minutes, Kill widen the difference between the sides when a good run from the right wing resulted in a Sean Cheasty goal.

Ray Hennessy, Ben Gallagher and Sean Cheasty followed up with points for Kill to give them a 1-4 to 0-0 lead with just twelve minutes on the clock and it was not looking good for OId Parish.

The Shocks first score of the game came on nineteen minutes through a Declan Ryan free, a score that was to prove to be their only one in the first half.

Kill however would add to their tally, Ray Hennessy not for the first time again proved to be the saviour converting a free seven minutes from the break to give his side a 1-5 to 0-1 lead as the sides swapped ends.

Declan Power kicked the first score of the second half to draw Old Parish to within six of Kill. However a Ray Hennessy point twelve minutes into the second half soon had them seven back in front once more.

At the end of the third quarter Tomas Curran with a fisted effort after he was picked out by Declan Ryan but five minutes later that score was cancelled out when Ray Hennessy put over a free and with ten minutes to play it was looking as though it was going to be Kill’s day.

Brian French pointed for Old Parish six minutes from the hour mark and when Declan Ryan finished to the net soon afterwards, there was just three between the sides and Old Parish fans must have been a Shock was on the cards in the eyes of some.

Three minutes from the hour mark, Old Parish cut the Kill lead to two when Padraig Healy pointed. The large Old Parish support now were wondering in the time that remained could they hit the scores to get something from the game.

Two minutes into four of added time at the end of the hour it looked as though it was curtains for Old Parish when Conor Rockett pointed for Kill giving them a three point lead, but Old Parish refused to give up.

At every opportunity they attached the Kill goal and with time almost up an attack by Old Parish began in their own half of the field. When it got near the Kill goal they attempted to strike for goal, but the effort was blocked. Again Old Parish tried for goal and again the shot was blocked but it was third time lucky when the ball made its way to Shane Power the team captain who successfully appealed a straight red card he received in the Western Final he was in the right place at the right time to slot the ball past Kieran Dunphy in the Kill goal.

From the restart after the goal Alan Kissane blew the full time whistle, meaning the two sides will have to head back to Walsh Park and do it all over again.

Strangely, the last time Old Parish won the final in 1949 they won it beating Kill after a replay. Can history repeat itself sixty-five years on?

Old Parish: Aidan Power; Ian Curran, Patrick Conway, Dan Murphy; Andy Walsh, Michael French, Stephen Conway; Cormac Nugent, Shane Power; Tomas Curran, Declan Ryan, Declan Power; Ray Terry, Graham Guiry, Padraig Healy. Subs: Bryan French for Declan Power, Brendan Hogan for Tomas Curran, Dermot Conway for Ray Terry, Padraig Keating for Ian Curran.

Scorers: Declan Ryan 1-1 (0-1f), Shane Power 1-0, Declan Power, Tomas Curran, Bryan French, Padraig Healy 0-1 each.

Kill: Kieran Dunphy; David Sullivan, Stephen Dunne, Luke Middleton; Fergal Whelan, Jim Halley, Brian Flynn; Conor Hennessy, Niall Hennessy; John Flynn, Anthony Kiely, Ben Gallagher; Paudie Raher, Ray Hennessy, Sean Cheasty. Subs: Mike Nicholls for Paudie Raher, Peter Kirwan for Niall Hennessy, Peter Torpey for Conor Hennessy (B.C.), Niall Flynn for Anthony Kiely (B.C.) Chris Rockett for

Scorers: Ray Hennessy 0-5 (4f), Sean Cheasty 1-1, Ben Gallagher, Conor Rockett 0-1 each.

Referee: Alan Kissane

Lismore with 4 County and 4 Munster titles in 5 years are up there with the best around.

Twelve teams will compete in Division 1 of the 2015 National Hurling League, split into two groups of six in accordance to how the teams did in this years competition.

Taking a look at what is happening in the twelve counties at club level shows us that there is some sides competing at the top level in these counties are pretty consistent.

In Clare four different clubs have won the Senior Hurling Championship in the past five years. Cratloe, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus are the last three winners. Before this, Crusheen won it two years running.

In Cork clubs almost in shouting distance of each other have been coming out on top. Sarsfields have won the competition three times in the last five years, coincidently all in even number ending years. Neighbours Midleton and Carrigtwohill are the other two winners of the championship since 2010.

In Dublin two clubs have dominated the championship since 2010. Kilmacud Crokes have won the competition twice since 2010. Ballyboden Saint Enda’s have won it the other three years.

In Galway, this year’s championship is not yet complete and it could take some time yet to finish it as there are ongoing objections to the result of a game played earlier this year. The four previous finals however have been won by four different clubs, Portumna, Saint Thomas’, Gort and Clarinbridge.

In Kilkenny this coming weekend Clara or Ballyhale Shamrocks will win a second county final since 2010. The other winners Nore-side since 2010 are James Stephens and O’Loughlin Gaels.

Across the border in Tipperary, Thurles Sarsfields are proving to be the most consistent team in the Premier County, winning it three times and just like Sarsfields in Cork their titles have  come on the even number years. Two other sides Loughmore-Castleiney and Drom-Inch have also won the Dan Breen Cup since 2010.

Having a look at the teams that will be in Division 1B of the 2015 league, in Antrim Loughgiel Shamrocks have won four of the last five titles. Cushendall this past year ended the dominance of the Loughgiel club.

In Laois Rathdowney-Erril are the most consistent side winning the title three times, like Sarsfields in Cork and Thurles Sarsfields in Tipperary all on an even number year. Camross and Clough-Ballacolla are other most recent winners in Laois.

Who says History does not repeat itself? In Limerick two clubs have dominated Kilmallock have three titles won in the past five years and Na Piarsaigh have two. Can anybody guess when Kilmallock won their titles? Here is a clue for you check when Sarsfields, Thurles Sarsfields and Rathdowney-Erril won their titles.

In Offaly again two clubs have shared the past five titles. Kilcormac/Killoughy have won the past three titles. Before that Coolderry won the title the two years previous.

In Wexford just like in other counties, two clubs have dominated. Shelmaliers won the title in 2014. Previous to this Oulart-the-Ballagh won four in a row.

And finally in Waterford, three clubs have won the title in the past five years. Ballygunner and De La Salle have won it twice. Passage are the club that broke the domination of the two clubs to win it twice since 2009, winning the title in 2013.

Move up the ladder a bit and Na Piarsaigh twice have won the Munster Club Championship and Thurles Sarsfields and De La Salle have also won the competition since 2010.

In Leinster Mount Leinster Rangers, Kilcormac/Killoughy, Coolderry and O’Loughlin Gaels are the winners since 2010, in Ulster Loughgiel Shamrocks have won four of the last five finals. Portaferry won the competition this year and West of the Shannon, the Galway Champions over the past number of years have been automatically crowned Connacht Champions each year.

And in the All-Ireland Finals played since 2010, the Galway sides are fairing best, with Portumna, Saint Thomas’ and Clarinbridge all winning it. The only non Galway winners since 2010 were Loughgiel Shamrocks in 2011.

You make your own mind up from the above teams that have proven to be the most consistent side in the last five years, and I will put up an argument for another side, one that has not been mentioned yet, but one I am sure you can guess who it is from the accompanying photos.

In previewing the Munster Intermediate Camogie Final which was played last weekend in Fermoy, I asked was there a more consistent team over the past few years than Lismore’s premier Camogie team.

The facts I am sure will tell it all.

There will be some that will scoff at the idea of a women’s team in any sport being ranked as one of the best teams around.

But let them scoff if they want to. I wont loose any nights sleep over it and neither (I’m sure, I didn’t ask) will any player on the Lismore team or any other team.

Over the past few years we hear a lot about the sacrifices made by the players on our top club and inter county teams. There is no doubt that these players make sacrifices but so to do those that are involved in our ladies teams and ladies sports. Maybe there sacrifices are even bigger but because they are seldom reported on we don’t get to hear about them.

Let’s use Lismore as an example. How many teams involved in a big game early in any new year would go training on Saint Stephen’s Day. Not many I am sure. Let’s use the Waterford Intermediate Camogie team. How many inter county sides would sit in their own cars and drive over a 100 mile round journey to an away league game in order to try and help the county board spare what limited money they had for when a bus was needed for a longer journey. Waterford footballers did it a few years back I know but not many others would.

Over the past few years consistent is a word that can be used to describe Lismore.

Four County Senior Titles in the last five years, Four Munster Intermediate Titles in the last five years, one All-Ireland title in the last five years and two county senior league titles in the last three years tells just part of the story.

Add in the fact that a large number of the clubs players have played on different inter county teams, winning honours along the way indifferent competitions, different underage competitions have been won helping players gain valuable experience before playing on the clubs highest ranking team, and members of the club have also won honours with Blackwater Community School and on third level college sides.

The clubs most recent piece of silverware is a fourth Munster Club title, beating a fancied Sarsfields side at Fermoy.

The Cork side came into the game after having an excellent year.

The Cork County Intermediate Championship was won recently and earlier this year the Cork Intermediate League was won. The side based in the Glanmire and Riverstown area also played in the final of the Munster League during the summer, loosing out to Tipperary side Annacarty, and only a week before the game they won the Cork Minor Championship.

The question is often asked is a side winning the pre-match toss better playing with the breeze at their backs in the first half or to play into it.

There is a case for both arguments. Yes it does take time for a side to settle and maybe it is better for a side to use the elements in the second half when they should be in their stride and the opposition tiring.

On the counter side playing with the wind in the first half you get the chance to try and build up a lead by the break. Sometimes teams elect to play against what breeze there is only to find for the second half the breeze has died somewhat. In a game played in November you may also be better off playing with the wind in the first half as the pitch will cut up as the game goes on and if it was to badly cut it could prove to be a bigger disadvantage than playing with the strongest of winds can prove to be a benefit at times.

Lismore on Saturday played with the breeze in the first half and it proved to be the correct call.

Both sides did take a little time to settle. No scores were registered till the sixth minute but what a crucial score that proved to be.

A little over twelve months ago, those that are not regular supporters of camogie could be forgiven for not recognising the name of Caithriona McGlone but over the past few months her name has become more and more known and reported on as a goal scoring forward with Lismore.

When she got the ball on six minutes she rounded the Sarsfields full back and once this was achieved there was only one place the ball was going to go into Chloe Casey’s far corner and she did not fail in her attempt.

Lismore were now on top and they added to their great start with a brace of points inside a minute of each other shortly after Caithriona McGlone’s green flag score.

It was Caithriona McGlone that had the umpire reaching for a white flag on eight minutes and a minute later Ruth Geoghegan picked out Nicola Morrissey with a good pass and the primary school teacher made no mistake in dissecting the uprights.

Lismore received a scare on thirteen minutes when Hollie Herlihy had a shot at the Lismore goal by Tanya Morrissey who impressed throughout was equal to the effort and kept the ball out.

Lismore hit the next three scores all from Aoife Hannon, two frees and one from play to give her side a 1-5 to no score lead.

The Cork side however ensure that they would not go to into the second half scoreless as Lucy Allen pointed from a free five minutes from the break.

With the breeze at their backs in the second half, Sarsfields started well.

Lucy Allen converted a free on thirty-three minutes and within seconds they added a second this time Julie Allen got her name on the score sheet with an effort from play.

Three points followed in a three minute spell.

Aoife Hannon got the ball rolling with a free on thirty-six minutes. Lucy Allen responded for Cork side with an effort from play a minute later and on thirty-eight minutes Aoife Hannon scored her fifth point of the game to giver her side a six point lead.

Lismore’s last score of the game came on forty-four minutes, but what a score it proved to be, one that killed off any hopes of a late Sarsfields fight back and to get something from the game.

The sides first goal came from Caitriona McGlone who is proving to have a real eye for goal and their second came from another proven goal scorer.

Laura Buckley and Aoife Hannon played a major part in the build up to Ruth Geoghegan the ball past Chloe Casey.

The Cork champions to their credit did not give up and in the time that remained, they tried to break down a teak like Lismore defence who had Shauna Kiernan, Tanya Morrissey, Shona Curran, Grainne Kenneally and Aoife Hannon in the form of their lives.

The Cork side did manage a late score through Hollie Herlihy on fifty-seven minutes, a point but it was to prove to be too little too late.

Lismore now with four county finals and four Munster finals won in five years now go on to play an All-Ireland semi final against the Galway Intermediate Champions Oranmore Maree in early February.

Lismore will have enjoyed this latest win as much as they enjoyed many of their previous wins in recent years. Some time may be taken away from the game now, as the side are together for nearly twenty months without much of a break. Any break from the game wont be a long one and the side will be back together stronger and as united as ever preparing for the game with the Galway champions.

Lismore: Tanya Morrissey; Sarah Coughlan, Shauna Prendergast, Marie Russell; Aoife Houlihan, Shauna Kiernan, Sarah Fenton; Sharon Williams, Shona Curran; Laura Buckley, Grainne Kenneally, Aoife Hannon; Ruth Geoghegan, Nicola Morrissey, Caitriona McGlone. Subs: Sarah Geoghegan for Sharon Williams, Niamh Molumphy for Marie Russell, Alice Russell for Aoife Hannon, Kate Heneghan for Aoife Houlihan, Ellen Curran for Ruth Geoghegan.

Scorers: A Hannon 0-5 (3f), C McGlone 1-1, N Morrissey, R Geoghegan 0-1 each.

Sarsfields: Chloe Casey; Ellen Murphy, Katie Barry, Gemma Donohue; Lauren Casserly, Jenny Murphy, Emma Casey; Eimer Fennell, Niamh O’Callaghan; Maeve McCarthy, Hollie Herlihy, Claire Holland; Lucy Kelly, Lucy Allen, Julie Allen. Subs: Nicola Hickey for Gemma Donohue, Maeve O’Farrell for Emma Casey, Orla Butler for Maeve McCarthy.

Scorers: Lucy Allen 0-3 (2f), Julie Allen, Hollie Herlihy 0-1 each.

Referee: Ger Browne (Tipperary).