Kilkenny v Waterford semi final

Sully

dreamer_ire wrote: »

Moral victory for Waterford.... but good luck to KK in the final.

Exactly. I think all of the fans just wanted them to play their best because everyone knew the cats were a tough team to play. I am delighted with the result, its a shame we didnt win after playing so well but we very good and put up a very good fight.

Photi

soccymonster wrote: »

Just shows that the cats arent unbeatable..

How does it show that?

Min

lol at Davy Fitz.

Its a great compliment to Kilkenny in that he just wants to beat Kilkenny....

Sully

Photi wrote: »

How does it show that?

I assume because they let in three goals and the margin wasnt very big. It was Waterfords best game in a long time. I personally think Kilkenny have shown today they are very good, hard to beat but not impossible. Its all about tact, playing even when down and up.

The Deise used to give up a bit when they were down or when they were winning. Lately that has changed and they never give up. Their tactics have improved and they are an excellent team. The cats have a very similar mindset, but improved and its matching that is the key. In the Waterford v Tipp match, Tipp gave up when leading. Kilkenny never do, even in last years final (where they played much better).

Johnnnybravo

gO On the cats!!!!

Bit of a joke the amount of frees given in the match! Great match. all the yellow cards and stopping was frustrating, Shefflin was as usual brilliant

soccymonster

Photi wrote: »

How does it show that?

people say that there are better teams them waterford. Imagine sticking tipp up against kilkenny. If tipp beat limerick in the semi final (god forbid :P), i say that they will definetly give them a right go. Waterfords performance will give tipp/limerick belief going into the final.

I guess i phrased that incorrectly. More like it just shows that kilkenny arent as invincible as people have made them out to be.

Hank Scorpio

Kilkenny had a off day imo

Well played waterford anyway

Johnnnybravo

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Can somebody tell me are GAA pitches always slippy no matter what kind of boots you have?, whenever i play as long as i'm wearing the right studs(when it's soft=studs, and when it's hard=mouldies) i have no grip problems, are these lads wearing mouldies on a wet surface or something?..... players are always slipping and sliding in GAA, no matter what the conditions(i've seen players slipping in Pearse stadium on nice days)

Shefflin got two scores when his marker slipped closing in on him and Mullane ended up over the line there, these things can be the difference between winning and losing, why can't they find footwear to keep them on their feet?

jesus blaming it on the footwear!!!:rolleyes:

Spiritoftheseventies

soccymonster wrote: »

people say that there are better teams them waterford. Imagine sticking tipp up against kilkenny. If tipp beat limerick in the semi final (god forbid :P), i say that they will definetly give them a right go. Waterfords performance will give tipp/limerick belief going into the final.

I guess i phrased that incorrectly. More like it just shows that kilkenny arent as invincible as people have made them out to be.

How to beat Kilkenny. Dont let them get in behind the full back line for a start. Brennan the most dangerous corner forward in Ireland. Shefflin's goal about like Goal that Nicky English scored in All Ireland final against antrim.

Min

Kilkenny could have conceded two more goals and still Waterford would not be ahead, Kilkenny are not playing on the same level as last year but still it is a level above others.

Sully

nuxxx wrote: »

Kilkenny had a off day imo

Well played waterford anyway

A day off? They let in three goals. The Deise lead at the start. There were plenty of occasions where the difference was narrow and only a few where the cats were running away with it.

The cats played well, fought hard but hardly walked away with it. Deise were a threat always.

EDIT: Either I read that wrong or you did a quick edit because I sware I read "Kilkenny had a day off"!

padi89

Johnnnybravo wrote: »

jesus blaming it on the footwear!!!:rolleyes:

Doesn't read that way to me, seems to me he was just pointing something out. I had noticed it in the Mayo/Meath game before hand players slippin and slidin around the place, probably due to the new surface.

Anyhoo, KK are one savage team hard to know how to take them, possibly if they start to loose the hunger to win more All-Irelands which will never happen :pac:.

Fitzys interview was funny.

soccymonster

nuxxx wrote: »

Kilkenny had a off day imo

Well played waterford anyway

nah. They cant be expected to go out and bate a team off the pitch everyday. If thats the expectation down in kilkenny, god its very high! Kilkenny played a good game. Waterford stuck it up to them.
Nothing really off about that.

John The Bad

Great match. Well done Waterford, really stuck it to them. Christ Kilkenny are superb but Waterford today showed how you would go about beating them.

Hank Scorpio

Sully wrote: »

A day off? They let in three goals. The Deise lead at the start. There were plenty of occasions where the difference was narrow and only a few where the cats were running away with it.

The cats played well, fought hard but hardly walked away with it. Deise were a threat always.

EDIT: Either I read that wrong or you did a quick edit because I sware I read "Kilkenny had a day off"!

Nah

You read it wrong, didnt edit anything

Spiritoftheseventies

Min wrote: »

Kilkenny could have conceded two more goals and still Waterford would not be ahead, Kilkenny are not playing on the same level as last year but still it is a level above others.

Yes but even Davy Fitz was upset about the goals. Two mistakes for Shefflin's goal. You cannot afford to slip up against a team as dangerous as Kilkenny. they are the most ruthless team around.

Min

Kilkenny beat Galway by 7 points, Dublin by 6 points and Waterford by 6 points, Waterford didn't do anything more than the rest of the teams they played this year.
Kilkenny seems content to play and hold that sort of lead, when they came under pressure they were able to put up some scores.

Min

bayviewclose wrote: »

Yes but even Davy Fitz was upset about the goals. Two mistakes for Shefflin's goal. You cannot afford to slip up against a team as dangerous as Kilkenny. they are the most ruthless team around.

You can be sure Brian Cody isn't happy with the goals they conceded either.

Sully

Min wrote: »

Kilkenny could have conceded two more goals and still Waterford would not be ahead, Kilkenny are not playing on the same level as last year but still it is a level above others.

Cant say I agree tbh. Kilkenny were not on top form, but of course they played very well. That's the type of team they are. The last few mins showed Waterford having the highest chance of winning but it wasn't the type of game you could easily predict based on performance (seeing as it changed frequently, score lines). So, the cats may have pumped in more if additional time was permitted or the Deise got another goal and few points winning it.

It was a shock game for the pundits a like, as it wasnt as easy as expected. Can they be matched? Without a doubt.

Min wrote: »

Waterford didn't do anything more than the rest of the teams they played this year. Kilkenny seems content to play and hold that sort of lead, when they came under pressure they were able to put up some scores.

Are you serious? Waterford were MUCH better today then previous games. By a mile! They gave a much better performance and if they played that well in the previous matches they would hold the Munster title without a doubt. It was their best game in a while imo.

Kilkenny always had the art of NEVER giving up. 20pts ahead? They still keep ****ing playing like they are loosing! 20pts down? They keep fighting! Never ever ever give up. That is one of the main keys to winning any match and is something the Deise have began to show and is how they got away with winning against Galway because they never once gave up.

Spiritoftheseventies

Min wrote: »

You can be sure Brian Cody isn't happy with the goals they conceded either.

Yes to be fair Eoin Kelly's goal was probably down to the defender on the line who seemed to get in the goalkeepers way.

Johnnnybravo

Johnnnybravo wrote: »

jesus blaming it on the footwear!!!:rolleyes:

Maybe you should read my location before you go assuming i'm a waterford man :rolleyes:..... i just used them as examples as they were all at crucial periods, there was tonnes of other incidents in general play..... same as the football before it and last week

Erin Go Brath

John The Bad wrote: »

Great match. Well done Waterford, really stuck it to them. Christ Kilkenny are superb but Waterford today showed how you would go about beating them.

How, by losing?

chinguetti

I'ld love to know how many wides Waterford hit because from where i was sitting, they hit some awful silly wides along with giving away some awful frees for Shefflin to knock over. And they gave away two bad goals as well so WD weren't that far away if they play with some bit of savvy. Then again, any time KK needed a point, they could easily go down the field for it.

KK aren't going well from my view and if Tipp get a go at them, they might be beaten.

Sully

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

How, by losing?

Sometimes its not all about winning and loosing. You analyse each match, see where mistakes are made and fix them before the other team spots and uses them against you. Waterford put up the tempo big team, got three goals against the cats and at some stages looked like they may just win it. What does it show? Kilkenny have weaknesses.

soccymonster

chinguetti wrote: »

KK aren't going well from my view and if Tipp get a go at them, they might be beaten.

kilkenny are a great side. Alot of people comparing them to last year. No team can keep up those performances like the ones of Kk last year.

Im guessing theres not alot of confidence in limerick doing the business, no? :P

Erin Go Brath

Mullane was a major disappointment. If Waterford were to win they needed him to him do the biz. Waterford at least didn't let themselves down like in last September but i felt Kilkenny were always comfortable and the result never really in doubt. Waterford did equally well as Dublin did against Kilkenny. No better, no worse than that. I don't think they can take a moral victory from this result!

Spiritoftheseventies

Sully wrote: »

Sometimes its not all about winning and loosing. You analyse each match, see where mistakes are made and fix them before the other team spots and uses them against you. Waterford put up the tempo big team, got three goals against the cats and at some stages looked like they may just win it. What does it show? Kilkenny have weaknesses.

I dont think there was any danger of Kilkenny losing that game. Sure Waterford showed spirit but to me Cats were the better team. And I think we should give Tommy Walsh a bit of credit today after the stick he has been taking recently. Had a good game today.

Min

Sully wrote: »

Cant say I agree tbh. Kilkenny were not on top form, but of course they played very well. That's the type of team they are. The last few mins showed Waterford having the highest chance of winning but it wasn't the type of game you could easily predict based on performance (seeing as it changed frequently, score lines). So, the cats may have pumped in more if additional time was permitted or the Deise got another goal and few points winning it.

It was a shock game for the pundits a like, as it wasnt as easy as expected. Can they be matched? Without a doubt.



Are you serious? Waterford were MUCH better today then previous games. By a mile! They gave a much better performance and if they played that well in the previous matches they would hold the Munster title without a doubt. It was their best game in a while imo.

Kilkenny always had the art of NEVER giving up. 20pts ahead? They still keep ****ing playing like they are loosing! 20pts down? They keep fighting! Never ever ever give up. That is one of the main keys to winning any match and is something the Deise have began to show and is how they got away with winning against Galway because they never once gave up.

I didn't believe it would be an easy game but Kilkenny to win and that is what happened, the betting markets were giving Waterford 8 points so the result was roughly what was expected.

What I was saying really is Waterford only did what Galway and Dublin did against Kilkenny, similar sort of games, Kilkenny not at 2008 All Ireland levels but winning by around 6/7 points, Waterford were no closer than any other team we played when it came to beating us.

Erin Go Brath

Sully wrote: »

Sometimes its not all about winning and loosing. You analyse each match, see where mistakes are made and fix them before the other team spots and uses them against you. Waterford put up the tempo big team, got three goals against the cats and at some stages looked like they may just win it. What does it show? Kilkenny have weaknesses.

Of course its about winning and losing. Were Waterford there to make up the numbers or something?

dreamer_ire

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

I don't think they can take a moral victory from this result!

Have to say I disagree with you. Considering we were hammered by 23 points last year and that we have not showed any great form this year I think it was indeed a moral victory. I think Waterford today gave a very good account for themselves, it was a much closer match than most were expecting.

I'm really pleased how they approached the match today and the spirit in which it was played. They never gave up even when KK nosed ahead time after time. Don't think we were ever going to beat KK today but I think the result was probably the best we could hope for.

sparkydee

Well i'm disappointed after that. That was such a soft goal from such a mistake. But kilkenny were the better team.But i think that tipp or limerick will take heart from today and realise they are beatable.
Come on tipp:)

soccymonster

sparkydee wrote: »

Well i'm disappointed after that. That was such a soft goal from such a mistake. But kilkenny were the better team.But i think that tipp or limerick will take heart from today and realise they are beatable.
Come on tipp:)

yeah i agree with you. .
Cmon limerick :D

Erin Go Brath

dreamer_ire wrote: »

Have to say I disagree with you. Considering we were hammered by 23 points last year and that we have not showed any great form this year I think it was indeed a moral victory. I think Waterford today gave a very good account for themselves, it was a much closer match than most were expecting.

I'm really pleased how they approached the match today and the spirit in which it was played. They never gave up even when KK nosed ahead time after time. Don't think we were ever going to beat KK today but I think the result was probably the best we could hope for.

And thats the problem. Its 15 against 15 if your going into the game already defeated you might aswell stay at home. Kilkenny are beatable, but Waterford didn't show how it could be done today. Now if Mullane played to his potential, Waterford tightened up a bit on the likes of Shefflin and cut out some errors like running into tackles and losing the ball then there could have been a different result today. I'd give that Waterford performance a 6/10. Could do better!

Akrasia

I thought both teams should be very proud. It was a stunning game, It had more breathtaking moments than any match I have seen in a long time. Neither side gave up, neither side dominated.

I think this match is going to be the highlight of the 2009 championship. Well done to waterford, and congratulations to the cats for yet another awe inspiring perfomance.


As a nation, why don't we do more to highlight Hurling? It is without doubt one of the best field games on the planet. All the money spend on board failte on rubbish ads on foreign tv could be much better spent through the GAA to promote our sport abroad.

Erin Go Brath

Akrasia wrote: »

As a nation, why don't we do more to highlight Hurling? It is without doubt one of the best field games on the planet. All the money spend on board failte on rubbish ads on foreign tv could be much better spent through the GAA to promote our sport abroad.

Amen to that. The fastest and most skillful field game in the world without a doubt. The premiership would put you to sleep after watching a good Championship hurling game.

MrPreachan

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Amen to that. The fastest and most skillful field game in the world without a doubt. The premiership would put you to sleep after watching a good Championship hurling game.

+1
Fantastic game, moral victory ..perhaps. Delighted to see it. Can't see KK beaten though. They just have that extra little bit when needed. Experience.

seansshack

In all a great game.

Disappointed with Davy Fitz at full time. Face like a spoilt child and seems to be only interested in if, if, if + beating the Kilkenny. Obsession by the sounds of it.

He should have been saying how proud he was of each and every man on his panel, instead of claiming soft goals lost it for him.

Had a lot of respect for him, until that speech. Silly bitter words. He should have made the hard choices a manager should make. Taken off Mullane, and not bothered playing Shanahan at all.

In the end a game in which one must win and one must loose. Proud of both teams, solid hurling.

flahavaj

Waterford put the pride back into their hurling today. God Brick Walsh was unbelievable, hes a horse of a man.

soccymonster

seansshack wrote: »

In all a great game.

Disappointed with Davy Fitz at full time. Face like a spoilt child and seems to be only interested in if, if, if + beating the Kilkenny. Obsession by the sounds of it.

well he did give credit to the kilkenny lads towards the end. Sure, you have to concentrate on beating kilkenny anyways. Dont see anything wrong with commenting on a few things he could have done to try turn the game around.

He's had a hard weekend. Lost an all ireland semi final and all ireland minor camogie final both to kilkenny. God, must be sick of the sight of kilkenny jerseys by now :P.

Spiritoftheseventies

Akrasia wrote: »

I thought both teams should be very proud. It was a stunning game, It had more breathtaking moments than any match I have seen in a long time. Neither side gave up, neither side dominated.

I think this match is going to be the highlight of the 2009 championship. Well done to waterford, and congratulations to the cats for yet another awe inspiring perfomance.


As a nation, why don't we do more to highlight Hurling? It is without doubt one of the best field games on the planet. All the money spend on board failte on rubbish ads on foreign tv could be much better spent through the GAA to promote our sport abroad.

Was a good game but I thought the game between Cork and Waterford in Croke Park two years ago was better. Both teams back then were near enough their peak.

soccymonster

bayviewclose wrote: »

Was a good game but I thought the game between Cork and Waterford in Croke Park two years ago was better. Both teams back then were near enough their peak.

yea the cork waterford game in croke park was better imo but this match was good too. I also liked the limerick-waterford semi final '07 but maybe thats just me being biased :P.
Going back on topic-ish, will john mullane get an all star after today?

seansshack

As a nation, why don't we do more to highlight Hurling?

I agree that the sport needs more promotion. Hell these guys should be getting paid full time IMO

Maybe a film or tv series to promote as it should be shown. As one of the fastest, most skillful games out there. Rarely one sided or boring. Leaves soccer for dust and look how much money and promotion is behind that (purely because of population an demographics).

flahavaj

Some of fielding of high ball today on both sides was absolutely out of this world. Also the workrate from both teams was at a level of physical intensity I've rarely seen in a hurling match. KK have upped the bar so much, its unreal.

And Kelly's effort on goal was stunning, if he'd pulled that off it would be shown for years to come in highlight reels. Hes such a talented guy, Waterford need to try and get him invlove more next year, hes wasted at full forward when he could do great damage out the field.

bib836

really enjoyed the match

Sir Graball

seansshack wrote: »

In all a great game.

Disappointed with Davy Fitz at full time. Face like a spoilt child and seems to be only interested in if, if, if + beating the Kilkenny. Obsession by the sounds of it.

He should have been saying how proud he was of each and every man on his panel, instead of claiming soft goals lost it for him.

Had a lot of respect for him, until that speech. Silly bitter words. He should have made the hard choices a manager should make. Taken off Mullane, and not bothered playing Shanahan at all.

In the end a game in which one must win and one must loose. Proud of both teams, solid hurling.

I totally agree with comments about Davy- he was bitter! Again he tries to take the focus off himself. He should have made a few basic tactical changes. One, leave Kelly at wing forward where he feeds off loose ball. Two, take off Mullane ( or at least switch him) as he was getting no change off Tyrrell and three, I would have played Shanahan from the start where he should always be played - on the edge of the square and rain high ball in on top of him. Shanahan wasn't the problem it was the poor supply and quality of ball from Waterford half backs and mid-field ( except T browne who sent in nice low ball at times). As for the cats two many of our forwards were asleep R Power was lucky to stay on the field. Comerford and Fogarty had poor games. Larkin was well marked but at least drew a few frees. Reid was less than impressive when introduced and Hogan at least got stuck in. Brennan improved when he went to the centre and well what can you say about the man himself - pure class!! Great display from John Tennyson as well!!
We'd need Hickey back to win 4 in a row!
Waterford did themselves proud with some great displays. Mullane won't get hurler of the year but I'd vote for 'Brick' Walsh best centre-back in the country at present and was outstanding for Waterford all year!! Go on the Cats!!!

Sully

seansshack wrote: »

In all a great game.

Disappointed with Davy Fitz at full time. Face like a spoilt child and seems to be only interested in if, if, if + beating the Kilkenny. Obsession by the sounds of it.

He always has that face when he looses a game. Seemed more like being upset rather then the spoilt child approach. I took the beating KK thing as a light hearted joke and besides its possibly every dreams wish to knock the cats. See no harm in that.

He should have been saying how proud he was of each and every man on his panel, instead of claiming soft goals lost it for him.

He did and also praised Kilkenny. What did you expect, not to comment on the poor side of the game and only talk about how great either team were?

Had a lot of respect for him, until that speech. Silly bitter words. He should have made the hard choices a manager should make. Taken off Mullane, and not bothered playing Shanahan at all.

Replacing Mullane was something to consider, but the idea of putting Shanahan on was he can be the key the team needs sometimes. He wasnt to know it was going to fail. Thought he made plenty of subs tbh.

In the end a game in which one must win and one must loose. Proud of both teams, solid hurling.

+1 without a doubt.

tbaymusicman

Wow that was a cracker really think the deise are the only team that can get anywhere near the cats!!See poor fitzy at the end reminded me off keegan the time with newcastle i'd love it if we beat these guy's haha

soccymonster

tbaymusicman wrote: »

Wow that was a cracker really think the deise are the only team that can get anywhere near the cats!!See poor fitzy at the end reminded me off keegan the time with newcastle i'd love it if we beat these guy's haha

Galway and the dubs did it in the championship this year???

Tipp, the same in the league final.
But I kinda see where you're coming from.
Well done to waterford anyways.

EDIT: oops.. and well done to kilkenny too! When you want waterford to win, its kinda easy to forget about kilkenny LOL:P Sorry!

joeduggan

was there ever any doubt that kilkenny would win????? anyone??

KevIRL

Just back home from the match now and tbh I'm really disappointed. The best team won that is not in question, but it was a great chance for us today and we lost it due to our own mistakes - silly soft goals conceeded, due to giving the ball away easily and also missing lots of very scorable chances.

To beat KK, we needed them to have an off day and make some mistakes - they did. In addition to this we needed not to mistakes and score pretty much every chance we got - we didnt. If we had not made basic errors, and also took our points we would have won today. Its a big chance left behind.

Any talk of a 'moral victory' is bollocks and a bit patronising. Likewise how any Waterford fan could be delighted with the result is surprising, maybe easy to make such judgements from the sofa

I'm not for one second bashing the Waterford team, they put up a great show and showed a lot of resiliance to not let the game get completely away from them especially with the scars of last year fresh in mind. Its just disappointing to have had such a great chance to get a historic win on board and not take it cause of our own errors.

Tony Browne is an absolute legend, he was the Waterford MOM today and has now put himself in a position to be the oldest hurler to ever win an All Star. The guy is everything thats good about hurling, making his league debut in 1991 for Waterford and turning in a performance like that today, over 19 years later

Finally well done to KK, they are an amazing machine, and even when one part doesnt quite function others step up to the plate. I wish them the best in the final and hopefully we'll get to have a crack at them again next year