Waterford GAA Discussion Thread 2011-2012

glick6

zooropa2012 wrote: »

Just heard the Deise boys will be missing Noel Connors for 6 months, due to a bulging disc in his lumbar region, He will need physiotherapy or worst case scenario operation to heal the injury, he will we sorely missed for the campaign....

Thought I was readin the sun or the star here for a second. Hardly sensationalist no.. He's been having physio for the problem since the Limerick game in Fraher three weeks ago, the MRI result really makes no difference to his treatment.

Where did you get the six month timeframe from out of interest zooropa?

IanVW

Waterford Senior Hurling Team to play Kilkenny on Sunday in Walsh Park at 2.30pm.

1. Ian O’Regan Mt. Sion
2 Darragh Fives Tourin
3. Liam Lawlor Fourmilewater
7. Philip Mahony Ballygunner
5. Tony Browne Mt. Sion
6. Kevin Moran De La Salle
18. Declan Prendergast Ardmore
8. Stephen Molumphy Ballyduff Upper
9. Paul O’Brien Tallow
10. Seamus Prendergast Ardmore
11. Michael Walsh Stradbally – CAPT.
12. Pauric Mahony Ballygunner
13. Martin O’Neill Mt. Sion
14. Shane Walsh Fourmilewater
15. Gavin O’Brien Roanmore

Royal Legend

Personally I think its good they are giving youngsters a chance. O'Mahoney, Nailers, Prendergast and O'Brien are all huge talents, that I hope will make it to the very top, who better to test their mettle than Kilkenny, dont forget, most of these youngsters have no fear of Kilkenny as they usually always beat them at underage level.

Deise Doodler

IanVW wrote: »

Waterford Senior Hurling Team to play Kilkenny on Sunday in Walsh Park at 2.30pm.

1. Ian O’Regan Mt. Sion
2 Darragh Fives Tourin
3. Liam Lawlor Fourmilewater
7. Philip Mahony Ballygunner
5. Tony Browne Mt. Sion
6. Kevin Moran De La Salle
18. Declan Prendergast Ardmore
8. Stephen Molumphy Ballyduff Upper
9. Paul O’Brien Tallow
10. Seamus Prendergast Ardmore
11. Michael Walsh Stradbally – CAPT.
12. Pauric Mahony Ballygunner
13. Martin O’Neill Mt. Sion
14. Shane Walsh Fourmilewater
15. Gavin O’Brien Roanmore

Would prefer to see ringo (presume still on the injury list) in the corner and Mahony on the wing in stead of Dec, No prob with Tony getting game time but starting ?

zooropa2012

glick6 wrote: »

Thought I was readin the sun or the star here for a second. Hardly sensationalist no.. He's been having physio for the problem since the Limerick game in Fraher three weeks ago, the MRI result really makes no difference to his treatment.

Where did you get the six month timeframe from out of interest zooropa?

Correction 2-3 months out of action if surgery is required and if other treatments are not successful.

thesultan

Ringo hurt his shoulder again. Power was back at training

lovelypoint

IanVW wrote: »

Waterford Senior Hurling Team to play Kilkenny on Sunday in Walsh Park at 2.30pm.

1. Ian O’Regan Mt. Sion
2 Darragh Fives Tourin
3. Liam Lawlor Fourmilewater
7. Philip Mahony Ballygunner
5. Tony Browne Mt. Sion
6. Kevin Moran De La Salle
18. Declan Prendergast Ardmore
8. Stephen Molumphy Ballyduff Upper
9. Paul O’Brien Tallow
10. Seamus Prendergast Ardmore
11. Michael Walsh Stradbally – CAPT.
12. Pauric Mahony Ballygunner
13. Martin O’Neill Mt. Sion
14. Shane Walsh Fourmilewater
15. Gavin O’Brien Roanmore

Is the 7 & 18 thing for real ? Strange, quite strange..

In any case, team-wise, have to say it doesn't look too bad strength-wise considering injuries.

Surprised to see Philip at corner back again, and wonder if it might not be better to have an actual full back like Shane Fives back there instead. Likewise, surprised to see Tony start, and think it looks a little desperate to be honest. Spring him from the bench definitely, but why not see what one of the other wing backs can do first.

I presume Declan is there to bring a bit of strength and experience, which I can't really argue with, but how he fared against Cork 2 weeks ago did not bode well. Gavin O'Brien deserved his start, although he will have a hard introduction against the Cats.

Looking forward to it now really!

Cake Man

Shane O'Sullivan still injured? Would have been hoping he would have been starting but obviously not...

KevIRL

Brick centre forward experiment continues despite even the player not wanting to be there. Really not looking forward to tomorrow, cant see anything but a heavy defeat

glick6

It looks, with the whole 7 & 18 numbers change, that someone was named in the corner.... ?Ringo.... and has then had to be pulled with Philip moved back and Declan coming in from the bench.

Shame for Philip, I was looking forward to seeing him at wing and he might be under more pressure again at corner, and to be honest now, I'm nervous about our half-back line.. Tony and Declan lacking that bit of mobility and we know Kilkenny half forwards have that to burn.

I hope that whatever way things go, we play to a game plan that at least tries to give the inside forward line an advantage. Good quality low ball is whats needed, with ball in hand the three lads are dangerous, lets hope they get some decent service.

Cake Man

Best of luck to Colaiste na Deise in the AI 1/4 final v KK CBS today.

DublinGAA96

CnD 0-0 1-2 Kilkenny CBS 6 mins in

Hslaw

not sure of the score but from what i hear its gone into Extra Time Hon CnD

skaface

Kilkenny cbs 3pts up at end of 1st period of extra time.

skaface

FULL TIME - CND 1-12 KILKENNY CBS 2-12, Hard luck lads, did yere county proud

Giveitfong

Kilkenny CBS 2-12 Coláistí na nDéise 1-12

Coláistí na nDéise (CnD) made their exit from the All-Ireland Senior A Colleges Championship today when they were edged out after extra time by Kilkenny CBS an an exciting and hard-fought quarter final game in Walsh Park.

This was a very disappointing outcome as CnD failed to reproduce the terrific form which had seen them outplay St Flannans, De La Salle and Nenagh CBS in the Harty Cup competition. The superb first touch and excellent field craft which had been evident in all these games were largely absent today as the collective psychological malaise which can envelop entire teams in sport unfortunately cast its spell on the Dungarvan schools combination.

All over the field, and from start to finish, CnD players had difficulty in controlling incoming ball either in hand or on stick, and first, and even second and third, attempts to pick ball from the ground failed repeatedly. This allowed a highly committed Kilkenny outfit to get in tackles, win possession or bottle up CnD players when they did manage to get the ball in hand. As a result, the CnD players were constantly under pressure and unable to deliver the kinds of telling balls which had been a hallmark of their earlier displays. However, it has to be said that, even when in open country, the CnD lads more often than not made poor use of the ball, regularly sending it down the middle to unmarked Kilkenny players, and resorting to high lobs into the Kilkenny goal area which yielded little return.

Kilkenny CBS, by contrast, had no problems with their close control while their ability to win ball in the air set them apart from their opponents. Yet despite all this, CnD could well have won this game had they made good use of a host of scoring chances in the third quarter which could have put them out of sight.

Playing with the stiff wind blowing into the city end, Kilkenny CBS demonstrated right away that they were not there just to make up the numbers, and were almost completely on top in the first quarter, as CnD were unable to get any decent possession in midfield or in their half forward line. An early goal (after CnD goalie Eoin Kearns had made a superb block) threatened to open the flood gates, but a resolute CnD defence and some poor shooting meant the visitors were making hardly any impact on the scoreboard. Through sheer hard work, CnD finally managed to get into the game, but they too struggled to find the range shooting against the wind. However, a superb point on the run from the left wing by midfield Colin Dunford provided a huge boost as CnD went in at half time just three points down, 1-3 to 0-3.

To my mind, the CnD mentors made a big mistake in moving left half back Tadhg Burke into the full back line early in the first half. This was done to plug a weakness, but it greatly reduced the impact on the game of possibly CnD’s finest hurler. To make matters worse, they left him there even when playing with the wind in the second half, and the impact he made when he was finally moved out suggests that the decision to move him back and then leave him there may have cost them the game.

However, this did not appear to be a problem in the third quarter when CnD took over the game, quickly eliminating the Kilkenny lead and moving three points ahead themselves, with corner forward Patrick Curran finishing a superb movement neatly to the net. However, CnD seemed to become preoccupied with scoring goals, with the result that several easy tap-over point chances went abegging.

CnD could well have been eight or nine points ahead when the inevitable Kilkenny fightback began. This fightback was sparked off by a very fortuitous and questionable goal which went straight to the CnD net from a 65 metre free, as the CnD goalie was put off by a swing from a Kilkenny forward who seemed to be well inside the square. Indeed, the referee, who was a long way out the field, appeared to be about to intervene, but when the umpire decisively put up the green flag he decided to leave things be.

Even then, CnD managed to get their nose in front on a couple of more occasions, but they could not shake off their opponents as the game finished level in ordinary time. Kilkenny got first use of the wind in extra time and certainly availed of it, shooting over four points without reply. When they scored another against the wind in the second period of extra time the writing seemed to be on the wall for CnD, but two points brought the gap down to a single goal, but although they laid siege to the Kilkenny goal in the closing minutes, and were awarded to close-in frees, CnD failed to breach the citadel and were still a goal behind when the referee blew the final whistle.

So Coláistí na Déise are now out of the All-Ireland competition, while the team they beat in the Harty Cup final, Nenagh CBS, have gone straight through to the semi-final after the Ulster Colleges team withdrew from the competition. Why do situations like this always seem to happen to Waterford teams? CnD will rue the 13 wides which they ran up here, although Kilkenny CBS had 12 wides of their own. CnD also had several shots in the first half which fell short against the wind, and several shots for goal blocked out by the Kilkenny defence, especially in the second half. Kilkenny were also that bit cuter when they had the ball in tight situations, which stood to them in the end.

Nevertheless, hats off to the Coláistí lads who showed over the last few weeks that they can play to a very high level, and provided us with great entertainment and a mighty boost to morale in the process. We look forward to seeing many of them in the Waterford jersey later in the year, and if they can reproduce what they are capable of, they could be there or thereabouts.

Coláistí na nDéise: Eoin Kearns; Keelan Looby; Tom Tobin; Seán O’Donovan; Evan Collins; Tom Devine; Tadhg Burke; Colin Dunford (0-1); Cormac Curran; Cathal Curran (0-7, 6 frees); Michael Harney (0-1); Ryan Donnelly (0-2); Michael Kiely; Kieran Power (0-1); Patrick Curran (1-0). Substitutes used: Kevin Sheehan; Christy Breathnach; Eamon Crotty.

mccarthy37

Giveitfong wrote: »

Kilkenny CBS 2-12 Coláistí na nDéise 1-12

Coláistí na nDéise (CnD) made their exit from the All-Ireland Senior A Colleges Championship today when they were edged out after extra time by Kilkenny CBS an an exciting and hard-fought quarter final game in Walsh Park.

This was a very disappointing outcome as CnD failed to reproduce the terrific form which had seen them outplay St Flannans, De La Salle and Nenagh CBS in the Harty Cup competition. The superb first touch and excellent field craft which had been evident in all these games were largely absent today as the collective psychological malaise which can envelop entire teams in sport unfortunately cast its spell on the Dungarvan schools combination.

All over the field, and from start to finish, CnD players had difficulty in controlling incoming ball either in hand or on stick, and first, and even second and third, attempts to pick ball from the ground failed repeatedly. This allowed a highly committed Kilkenny outfit to get in tackles, win possession or bottle up CnD players when they did manage to get the ball in hand. As a result, the CnD players were constantly under pressure and unable to deliver the kinds of telling balls which had been a hallmark of their earlier displays. However, it has to be said that, even when in open country, the CnD lads more often than not made poor use of the ball, regularly sending it down the middle to unmarked Kilkenny players, and resorting to high lobs into the Kilkenny goal area which yielded little return.

Kilkenny CBS, by contrast, had no problems with their close control while their ability to win ball in the air set them apart from their opponents. Yet despite all this, CnD could well have won this game had they made good use of a host of scoring chances in the third quarter which could have put them out of sight.

Playing with the stiff wind blowing into the city end, Kilkenny CBS demonstrated right away that they were not there just to make up the numbers, and were almost completely on top in the first quarter, as CnD were unable to get any decent possession in midfield or in their half forward line. An early goal (after CnD goalie Eoin Kearns had made a superb block) threatened to open the flood gates, but a resolute CnD defence and some poor shooting meant the visitors were making hardly any impact on the scoreboard. Through sheer hard work, CnD finally managed to get into the game, but they too struggled to find the range shooting against the wind. However, a superb point on the run from the left wing by midfield Colin Dunford provided a huge boost as CnD went in at half time just three points down, 1-3 to 0-3.

To my mind, the CnD mentors made a big mistake in moving left half back Tadhg Burke into the full back line early in the first half. This was done to plug a weakness, but it greatly reduced the impact on the game of possibly CnD’s finest hurler. To make matters worse, they left him there even when playing with the wind in the second half, and the impact he made when he was finally moved out suggests that the decision to move him back and then leave him there may have cost them the game.

However, this did not appear to be a problem in the third quarter when CnD took over the game, quickly eliminating the Kilkenny lead and moving three points ahead themselves, with corner forward Patrick Curran finishing a superb movement neatly to the net. However, CnD seemed to become preoccupied with scoring goals, with the result that several easy tap-over point chances went abegging.

CnD could well have been eight or nine points ahead when the inevitable Kilkenny fightback began. This fightback was sparked off by a very fortuitous and questionable goal which went straight to the CnD net from a 65 metre free, as the CnD goalie was put off by a swing from a Kilkenny forward who seemed to be well inside the square. Indeed, the referee, who was a long way out the field, appeared to be about to intervene, but when the umpire decisively put up the green flag he decided to leave things be.

Even then, CnD managed to get their nose in front on a couple of more occasions, but they could not shake off their opponents as the game finished level in ordinary time. Kilkenny got first use of the wind in extra time and certainly availed of it, shooting over four points without reply. When they scored another against the wind in the second period of extra time the writing seemed to be on the wall for CnD, but two points brought the gap down to a single goal, but although they laid siege to the Kilkenny goal in the closing minutes, and were awarded to close-in frees, CnD failed to breach the citadel and were still a goal behind when the referee blew the final whistle.

So Coláistí na Déise are now out of the All-Ireland competition, while the team they beat in the Harty Cup final, Nenagh CBS, have gone straight through to the semi-final after the Ulster Colleges team withdrew from the competition. Why do situations like this always seem to happen to Waterford teams? CnD will rue the 13 wides which they ran up here, although Kilkenny CBS had 12 wides of their own. CnD also had several shots in the first half which fell short against the wind, and several shots for goal blocked out by the Kilkenny defence, especially in the second half. Kilkenny were also that bit cuter when they had the ball in tight situations, which stood to them in the end.

Nevertheless, hats off to the Coláistí lads who showed over the last few weeks that they can play to a very high level, and provided us with great entertainment and a mighty boost to morale in the process. We look forward to seeing many of them in the Waterford jersey later in the year, and if they can reproduce what they are capable of, they could be there or thereabouts.

Coláistí na nDéise: Eoin Kearns; Keelan Looby; Tom Tobin; Seán O’Donovan; Evan Collins; Tom Devine; Tadhg Burke; Colin Dunford (0-1); Cormac Curran; Cathal Curran (0-7, 6 frees); Michael Harney (0-1); Ryan Donnelly (0-2); Michael Kiely; Kieran Power (0-1); Patrick Curran (1-0). Substitutes used: Kevin Sheehan; Christy Breathnach; Eamon Crotty.

Great report as usual, yes that second goal scored by Kilkenny CBS was a square ball I had a clear view of it, the Ref bottled it, still on the day CBS were the better team overall. Heading down today without any hope.

hurler on de ditch

mccarthy37 wrote: »

Great report as usual, yes that second goal scored by Kilkenny CBS was a square ball I had a clear view of it, the Ref bottled it, still on the day CBS were the better team overall. Heading down today without any hope.

just over in ferrybank wat minors vs kk home win 1-13 ,,,0-13 mc nulty,stephen bennett,cian leamy very good ,over all very good performace

Cake Man

hurler on de ditch wrote: »

just over in ferrybank wat minors vs kk home win 1-13 ,,,0-13 mc nulty,stephen bennett,cian leamy very good ,over all very good performace

That's encouraging anyway, especially with the CnD lads to come in.

solarith

hurler on de ditch wrote: »

just over in ferrybank wat minors vs kk home win 1-13 ,,,0-13 mc nulty,stephen bennett,cian leamy very good ,over all very good performace

Does a home win mean Waterford or Kilkenny won? ;D

Cake Man

Decent effort first half but couldn't keep it going for the second half. Gavin O'Brien and Martin O'Neill played well I thought. Molumphy and Paul O'Brien weren't bad either. KK were well able to move up the gears when they had to.

Tipp in Thurles next Sunday, doesn't get much easier.

ArtVandelay76

Cake Man wrote: »

Decent effort first half but couldn't keep it going for the second half. Gavin O'Brien and Martin O'Neill played well I thought. Molumphy and Paul O'Brien weren't bad either. KK were well able to move up the gears when they had to.

Tipp in Thurles next Sunday, doesn't get much easier.

Was listening to it on the wireless, they reckoned molumphy wasn't in the game at all today.

deisebhoy17

Wasnt in Walsh Park today but a friend from KK I was talking to was spitting fire at the setup there. massive queus to get in even though the stand was only half full. missed a good chunk of the first half. apparantly you had to que for tickets aswell outside the ground?
Also baffled at the poor quality signage. only one little piece of cardboard with the price scribbled on with a marker, barely legible. I know times are tough financially but we are basically a laughing stock now. We really need to get out of Walsh Park and concentrate on upgrading carriganore.

mccarthy37

Cake Man wrote: »

Decent effort first half but couldn't keep it going for the second half. Gavin O'Brien and Martin O'Neill played well I thought. Molumphy and Paul O'Brien weren't bad either. KK were well able to move up the gears when they had to.

Tipp in Thurles next Sunday, doesn't get much easier.

Looks like division 1B hurling next year for us. What a ridiculous statement from Scully after the match that he was happy with the first half performance, real defeatist talk, after all the gains we made in the last fourteen years its backwards we are quickly going. Will it be good enough to put in a good first half performance's in the next three games and still lose them all. It was galling to sit near Kilkenny people while they had a good laugh at some of moves Waterford made, we are clearly miles behind Kilkenny right now. Just as well Kilkenny didn't really put the foot down as they were playing well within themselves. Gavin O Brien was the one bright light on a very dark day. The evvergreen Tony Browne was his usual best, Martin O Neill was good but was beaten for pace a few times. I'll have to believe in miracles if Waterford are going to win anything this year its still early days who knows because i'll be f;;cked if I know.

KevIRL

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

Wasnt in Walsh Park today but a friend from KK I was talking to was spitting fire at the setup there. massive queus to get in even though the stand was only half full. missed a good chunk of the first half. apparantly you had to que for tickets aswell outside the ground?
Also baffled at the poor quality signage. only one little piece of cardboard with the price scribbled on with a marker, barely legible. I know times are tough financially but we are basically a laughing stock now. We really need to get out of Walsh Park and concentrate on upgrading carriganore.

Not only this, but they ran out of match programmes as well

Mountainlad

mccarthy37 wrote: »

Looks like division 1B hurling next year for us. What a ridiculous statement from Scully after the match that he was happy with the first half performance, real defeatist talk, after all the gains we made in the last fourteen years its backwards we are quickly going. Will it be good enough to put in a good first half performance's in the next three games and still lose them all. It was galling to sit near Kilkenny people while they had a good laugh at some of moves Waterford made, we are clearly miles behind Kilkenny right now. Just as well Kilkenny didn't really put the foot down as they were playing well within themselves. Gavin O Brien was the one bright light on a very dark day. The evvergreen Tony Browne was his usual best, Martin O Neill was good but was beaten for pace a few times. I'll have to believe in miracles if Waterford are going to win anything this year its still early days who knows because i'll be f;;cked if I know.

We're going to get relegated because...we lost to the all-ireland champions?

To be fair, he has to put a positive spin on things when:

A) Everybody else is on his back about literally everything (I know there are several things that need criticism but people are reading far too much into thing and applying double standards by not weighing all things equal and discounting important counter arguments to the incessesant crticism which is continually being unleashed)

What good would it be if he mirrored the pessism of everybody, nách mór, that posts on this page or talks about the team in pubs and such? How would things ever improved if he started reeling off these phrases like "I don't know where we are going this year" or "We're porbably getting relegated"

And also, it did sound a bit more positive. I won't argue that Kilkenny probably weren't as up for it as 2 weeks ago, but sounds like we did pretty well first half. Also, few more faces returned today which is good to see, and apparently Shane Walsh and Ringo will be available next week. We're definetly in a better place than 2 weeks ago, albeit we're not in a great situation.

I might remind those that are on the verge of a breakdown from the stress of being relegated that even if we lose all 5 of our games, if we win the relegation playoff it doesn't matter at all and we'll still have Division 1A hurling next year (which is by no means the be all and end all either).

I wasn't at the match by the way, so I have nothing specific to say about it.

deisebhoy17

Fierce negativity going on here. When are people going to realise that we are in transition? The great team we had over the last 15 years is gone and its about the future now. The few lads left from that era Brick, Mullane and Tony Browne aren't going to be around to keep digging us out of holes forever either so as much as I hate to say it its time for the public to lower their expectations.

The talk above indicates that theres absolutely no point even showing up against Tipp next week. I hope to God the players dont have a similar attitude. We are blooding a lot of young players and I think theyve been doing well. Division 1A hurling against the likes of a strong KK and Tipp lineups will stand to these lads. Its not like theyve been shown to be completely out of their depth we havent been getting hammered and have shown plenty of positives.
This manager wouldnt have been my first choice but lets just let them get on with it and see how we look at the business end of the season.

KevIRL

tbh, Div 1B next year may not be the worse thing ever. It will probably contain Limerick, Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Carlow. There are a few competitve games there, and could be good for a young squad too. Also the winners go onto the league semi final so get a chance against the top teams in late spring just before the championship.

Worst thing about dropping down would be that we'd be going into this years championship on a serious losing run.

Trying not to be too pessimistic about this year, but its hard. We looked okay today in the first half against a KK team clearly not up for it, but still went in behind at HT. The stories coming out of training are most worrying though, and its hard to feel like Waterford are anything but a beaten docket this year unfortunately

Mountainlad

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

Fierce negativity going on here. When are people going to realise that we are in transition? The great team we had over the last 15 years is gone and its about the future now. The few lads left from that era Brick, Mullane and Tony Browne aren't going to be around to keep digging us out of holes forever either so as much as I hate to say it its time for the public to lower their expectations.

The talk above indicates that theres absolutely no point even showing up against Tipp next week. I hope to God the players dont have a similar attitude. We are blooding a lot of young players and I think theyve been doing well. Division 1A hurling against the likes of a strong KK and Tipp lineups will stand to these lads. Its not like theyve been shown to be completely out of their depth we havent been getting hammered and have shown plenty of positives.
This manager wouldnt have been my first choice but lets just let them get on with it and see how we look at the business end of the season.

Agreed, and with a few players back next week hopefully we'll put it up to Tipp. Ultimately, as long as the performances keep improving than we're on the right track and hopefully we'll be strong enough come the end of the league/start of the championship.

hurler on de ditch

solarith wrote: »

Does a home win mean Waterford or Kilkenny won? ;D

ferrybank waterford

Black Suir

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

Wasnt in Walsh Park today but a friend from KK I was talking to was spitting fire at the setup there. massive queus to get in even though the stand was only half full. missed a good chunk of the first half. apparantly you had to que for tickets aswell outside the ground?
Also baffled at the poor quality signage. only one little piece of cardboard with the price scribbled on with a marker, barely legible. I know times are tough financially but we are basically a laughing stock now. We really need to get out of Walsh Park and concentrate on upgrading carriganore.

Agree, The GAA has to get out of Walsh Park, but it could be too late. The chance was tere a few years back but it was not taken. As for Carriganore, does anyone seriously think the GAA will pump the amounts of money into the venue to make it a county ground. The GAA while they have put money into the venue (at least i am sure they have) they wont put whats needed into it because the ground is not owned by the association.

Black Suir

KevIRL wrote: »

tbh, Div 1B next year may not be the worse thing ever. It will probably contain Limerick, Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Carlow. There are a few competitve games there, and could be good for a young squad too. Also the winners go onto the league semi final so get a chance against the top teams in late spring just before the championship.

Worst thing about dropping down would be that we'd be going into this years championship on a serious losing run.

Trying not to be too pessimistic about this year, but its hard. We looked okay today in the first half against a KK team clearly not up for it, but still went in behind at HT. The stories coming out of training are most worrying though, and its hard to feel like Waterford are anything but a beaten docket this year unfortunately

There is a long way to go yet. While Waterford wont be in any final this year in the league, there is a good chance they wont be relegated. Dublin are my bet to drop down. Also lets not forget come championship time, I know its a different code, but Pat Flanagan who is training Waterford this year, (along with Jimmy Payne), has in the past had times peaking at the right time of the year and hopefully will again in the future.

Professey Chin

Black Suir wrote: »

Agree, The GAA has to get out of Walsh Park, but it could be too late. The chance was tere a few years back but it was not taken. As for Carriganore, does anyone seriously think the GAA will pump the amounts of money into the venue to make it a county ground. The GAA while they have put money into the venue (at least i am sure they have) they wont put whats needed into it because the ground is not owned by the association.

A lot of it comes down to the County Board pissing away with having both Fraher Field and Walsh Park as home venues so instead of using the budget over time for a good, accessible & well maintained venue we get this situation

deiseach

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

Wasnt in Walsh Park today but a friend from KK I was talking to was spitting fire at the setup there. massive queus to get in even though the stand was only half full. missed a good chunk of the first half. apparantly you had to que for tickets aswell outside the ground?
Also baffled at the poor quality signage. only one little piece of cardboard with the price scribbled on with a marker, barely legible. I know times are tough financially but we are basically a laughing stock now. We really need to get out of Walsh Park and concentrate on upgrading carriganore.

It was cash at the gate, and the stand was pretty much full. I'm sure you could have squeezed a few more in, but why should those who turn up with plenty of time to spare have to be crammed in to accommodate those who turn up at the last minute? The biggest problem in Walsh Park is the lack of proper terraces. Otherwise it's fine for our purposes.

hardybuck

Mountainlad wrote: »

We're going to get relegated because...we lost to the all-ireland champions?

To be fair, he has to put a positive spin on things when:

A) Everybody else is on his back about literally everything (I know there are several things that need criticism but people are reading far too much into thing and applying double standards by not weighing all things equal and discounting important counter arguments to the incessesant crticism which is continually being unleashed)

What good would it be if he mirrored the pessism of everybody, nách mór, that posts on this page or talks about the team in pubs and such? How would things ever improved if he started reeling off these phrases like "I don't know where we are going this year" or "We're porbably getting relegated"

And also, it did sound a bit more positive. I won't argue that Kilkenny probably weren't as up for it as 2 weeks ago, but sounds like we did pretty well first half. Also, few more faces returned today which is good to see, and apparently Shane Walsh and Ringo will be available next week. We're definetly in a better place than 2 weeks ago, albeit we're not in a great situation.

I might remind those that are on the verge of a breakdown from the stress of being relegated that even if we lose all 5 of our games, if we win the relegation playoff it doesn't matter at all and we'll still have Division 1A hurling next year (which is by no means the be all and end all either).

I wasn't at the match by the way, so I have nothing specific to say about it.

We're probably going to get relegated because we were hammered by Cork, hammered by Kilkenny, will be well beaten by Tipp and then Galway and have one game at home against Dublin who we will have a chance of beating. If we lose and face a relegation playoff we are most likely to face a team who has already hammered us this year.

PTH2009

The new hurling management team dont seem to give a toss compared to what previous mangement teams did.

Pity to see Players Like Tony Browne, John Mullane, Brick etc going back to dark days.

I know im being a bit negative but a team which got to every all ireland semi final since 2006, won 2 munster titles in 2007,2010 and one league title in 2007 are in danger of being relagated and then have a terrible championship this year.

deiseach

PTH2009 wrote: »

I know im being a bit negative but a team which got to every all ireland semi final since 2006, won 2 munster titles in 2007,2010 and one league title in 2007 are in danger of being relagated and then have a terrible championship this year.

You do realise that there are no whipping boys in Division 1A this year? It's all very well talking about our performances in recent time, but Dublin are the defending League champions, our win over Galway last year was the first over them in the League in eight attempts, and the other teams . . . well, they are who they are. People have to be realistic.

daddydick

PTH2009 wrote: »

The new hurling management team dont seem to give a toss compared to what previous mangement teams did.

Pity to see Players Like Tony Browne, John Mullane, Brick etc going back to dark days.

I know im being a bit negative but a team which got to every all ireland semi final since 2006, won 2 munster titles in 2007,2010 and one league title in 2007 are in danger of being relagated and then have a terrible championship this year.

I dont think you understand the fact that we are a team in serious transition. Look at the players that played yesterday, Darragh Fives, Philip Mahony, Paraic Mahony, Maurice Shanahan, Gavin O'Brien, Martin O'Neill are all developing into inter-county hurlers. We have an injury list as long as a wet week. Do you realistically think that we would be beating the All-Ireland champions Kilkenny yesterday?

What a mad suggestion that we are "in danger of having a terrible championship". Sure we are in danger of that every year, as is every other team.

The lads have their objectives and goals for the year - get out and support the transition they are going through instead of worrying about being relegated.

Mountainlad

daddydick wrote: »

I dont think you understand the fact that we are a team in serious transition. Look at the players that played yesterday, Darragh Fives, Philip Mahony, Paraic Mahony, Maurice Shanahan, Gavin O'Brien, Martin O'Neill are all developing into inter-county hurlers. We have an injury list as long as a wet week. Do you realistically think that we would be beating the All-Ireland champions Kilkenny yesterday?

What a mad suggestion that we are "in danger of having a terrible championship". Sure we are in danger of that every year, as is every other team.

The lads have their objectives and goals for the year - get out and support the transition they are going through instead of worrying about being relegated.

To add to that, it was Liam Lawlor and Tony Browne's first game of the year, Shane O'Sullivan is just coming back in as well, Maurice has been injured the past few weeks. Shane Walsh and Ringo will be back next week, to be fair that is significant strengthening.

I don't think we'll be hammered by Tipp, Hardybuck, and I dunno the extent of your prophetic credentials but I have to say it's a bit much to say we'll be hammered by Galway and Dublin as well. Winning against Tipp and Galway would be a massive achievement in any year that we have to travel to their stadiums, so I'm not expecting a win but I think we'll put in a performance against them. Beating Dublin is achievable. They may have run Cork very close yesterday, but they were at home and while they are missing players, they weren't understrength to the extent that we have been. They also have better strength in depth, but once you have your full team available, it doesn't really matter how good no. 21-30 are from the point of view of winning a one off game.

lovelypoint

To those who mentioned issues getting into Walsh Park yesterday, I can only agree that things could have been handled a lot better. I arrived at 2.05 at the Keanes Road end stalls, which had queues going back quite a bit blocking a lot of the roundabout, and overall took 10 minutes to get in. Relief at getting in was shortlived though, with the realisation there was not a programme in sight.

Perhaps that all 4 styles were open on the Keanes Road end, I suppose you cannot argue there, and to be fair peoples issue with signage was down to being so far back in a queue as to not be able to see it. That only 3 styles were open on the Presentation end was bad, with similar queues there, as well as the shortage of programmes.

All in all, things could have been handled a lot better in my opinion, especially given this was our only home fixture in Walsh Park this year and a fixture that always attracts a minimum of 3/ 4,000. To be honest, I was surprised throw in was not delayed, and not everyone that was moaning about issues in getting in were the last minute merchants arriving just before throw in.

lovelypoint

Overall, disappointing day yesterday in Walsh Park. Really felt this was a game to lay down a marker, and don't have too much time for excuses about injury, given that we have so many promising players around the fringe who are being overlooked.

Philip Mahony once again started in the corner, while he and other promising wing backs could have gotten a chance yesterday to step up. Tony did well, but feel we would maybe have been better longer term to keep him on the bench for the half, and afford someone else the opportunity to step up. Likewise, when we were well beat, why were we not seeing a few more subs.

Iggy also doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, and I do worry about the goalkeeping spot this year if the likes of Adrian Power or Stephen O'Keefe are not given the chance to step up.

What really shone through yesterday, was our disarray amongst the backs, and lack of any quality ball to our forwards. Our backs have developed a very worrying habit of playing themselves into trouble, or worse, handpassing the trouble to someone else. A bit of collective responsibilty is needed amongst our backs, and they need to take the lumps and bring the ball out of defense, rather than use a short handpass to play another colleague into trouble. Overall, they need to stand up and be counted. Time and time again, they invited trouble or let themselves be played into trouble. I really worry about the collective mentality and decision making of our backs, as none of them seem confident of winning or keeping their own ball. I really think there is something rotten at the core of our defense, from the goalkeeper with poor puckouts, short distrubution, and a little timidity in goal right through to our wing backs where much of the problems for our full back line originate.

The other worrying trend is the dire quality of ball to our forwards. Fair enough we can't win ball in the air very well these days, but why then do we continue to rain high ball after high ball up the field, especially against a team like Kilkenny who are going to swallow up such ball all day long. High ball seems to be all we know, but we simply do not have the ball winning forwards for it at the moment. Have never been so depressed as yesterday seeing Martin O'Neill & Gavin O'Brien have to try outmuscle KK backs for high ball, as that was all the ball they were getting.

We really need to be playing to the strengths we have, and badly need some cohesion amongst the backs, and also the forwards. Is it really too much to expect a well drilled set of backs, as well as a set of forwards with an incisive gameplan, creativity and of course decent ball with which to be able to do some damage.

The aimlessness really needs to stop, and everyone needs to take a bit of collective responsibility. If backs are being played into trouble by other backs, then why are they not letting them know about it. If no one is getting quality ball from the keeper, then why is he not being let know about it by the players that are getting this desperate ball. If forwards are not getting any sort of quality ball, then why aren't the backs and midfield being let know about it. If a fellow forward is being wasteful/ selfish, when other forwards are in better positions, then why do they let it continue.

I think most of all we need a gameplan, an effective style from management (one that plays to our strengths), and promising players being given the chance, not excuses about injuries and depleted squads. After that, we need players to show a bit of leadership, take responsibility, and starting to drag some performances out of the team. If Dublin had our attitude towards injury woes, they'd probably be in 1B at the moment and have gone out in the qualifiers last year. Is it too much to expect a little attitude and expectation from this team, after all we laud the 'traditional' counties for it, time and time again as an integral part of their success.

Lastly, I think overall, the Brick at CF experiment needed to be tried, but has not worked. Time to shift him back to CB before we drain all confidence from him. Move Brick back, move Moran to midfield, and I think we start to look a lot more solid from midfield back, selection-wise. What to do about the half-forward line, I am really not sure, but something needs to be done, and with the players we have, or it is going to be a very sorry looking season.

Trying to be optimistic, but aside from Gavin O'Brien, and perhaps Martin O'Neill, I am struggling to see green shoots here. As for being in transition, perhaps we are, but why should we let that dampen expectation, as it certainly hasn't with teams like Clare, who despite being a team in the making, look extremely dangerous. If we are in transition, I do not see us building for the future, I see David O'Sullivan/ Shane Fives/ Stephen Daniels/ Philip Mahony/ Adrian Power/ Stephen O'Keefe/ Tommy Ryan/ Brian O'Sullivan nowhere near the team in the positions they have proven themselves capable.

We may look a slightly more dangerous outfit with the likes of Mullane, and perhaps Kelly back on the panel, but I really am struggling to see where the improvement is from last year. I'm all for giving Michael Ryan and co. a chance, but think they need to start giving Waterford hurling a chance..

PTH2009

Doubt this is true but is there a need for it

http://www.anfearrua.com/db.asp?a=topicdisplay&tid=1176451

daddydick

lovelypoint wrote: »

Overall, disappointing day yesterday in Walsh Park. Really felt this was a game to lay down a marker, and don't have too much time for excuses about injury, given that we have so many promising players around the fringe who are being overlooked.

Philip Mahony once again started in the corner, while he and other promising wing backs could have gotten a chance yesterday to step up. Tony did well, but feel we would maybe have been better longer term to keep him on the bench for the half, and afford someone else the opportunity to step up. Likewise, when we were well beat, why were we not seeing a few more subs.

Iggy also doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, and I do worry about the goalkeeping spot this year if the likes of Adrian Power or Stephen O'Keefe are not given the chance to step up.

What really shone through yesterday, was our disarray amongst the backs, and lack of any quality ball to our forwards. Our backs have developed a very worrying habit of playing themselves into trouble, or worse, handpassing the trouble to someone else. A bit of collective responsibilty is needed amongst our backs, and they need to take the lumps and bring the ball out of defense, rather than use a short handpass to play another colleague into trouble. Overall, they need to stand up and be counted. Time and time again, they invited trouble or let themselves be played into trouble. I really worry about the collective mentality and decision making of our backs, as none of them seem confident of winning or keeping their own ball. I really think there is something rotten at the core of our defense, from the goalkeeper with poor puckouts, short distrubution, and a little timidity in goal right through to our wing backs where much of the problems for our full back line originate.

The other worrying trend is the dire quality of ball to our forwards. Fair enough we can't win ball in the air very well these days, but why then do we continue to rain high ball after high ball up the field, especially against a team like Kilkenny who are going to swallow up such ball all day long. High ball seems to be all we know, but we simply do not have the ball winning forwards for it at the moment. Have never been so depressed as yesterday seeing Martin O'Neill & Gavin O'Brien have to try outmuscle KK backs for high ball, as that was all the ball they were getting.

We really need to be playing to the strengths we have, and badly need some cohesion amongst the backs, and also the forwards. Is it really too much to expect a well drilled set of backs, as well as a set of forwards with an incisive gameplan, creativity and of course decent ball with which to be able to do some damage.

The aimlessness really needs to stop, and everyone needs to take a bit of collective responsibility. If backs are being played into trouble by other backs, then why are they not letting them know about it. If no one is getting quality ball from the keeper, then why is he not being let know about it by the players that are getting this desperate ball. If forwards are not getting any sort of quality ball, then why aren't the backs and midfield being let know about it. If a fellow forward is being wasteful/ selfish, when other forwards are in better positions, then why do they let it continue.

I think most of all we need a gameplan, an effective style from management (one that plays to our strengths), and promising players being given the chance, not excuses about injuries and depleted squads. After that, we need players to show a bit of leadership, take responsibility, and starting to drag some performances out of the team. If Dublin had our attitude towards injury woes, they'd probably be in 1B at the moment and have gone out in the qualifiers last year. Is it too much to expect a little attitude and expectation from this team, after all we laud the 'traditional' counties for it, time and time again as an integral part of their success.

Lastly, I think overall, the Brick at CF experiment needed to be tried, but has not worked. Time to shift him back to CB before we drain all confidence from him. Move Brick back, move Moran to midfield, and I think we start to look a lot more solid from midfield back, selection-wise. What to do about the half-forward line, I am really not sure, but something needs to be done, and with the players we have, or it is going to be a very sorry looking season.

Trying to be optimistic, but aside from Gavin O'Brien, and perhaps Martin O'Neill, I am struggling to see green shoots here. As for being in transition, perhaps we are, but why should we let that dampen expectation, as it certainly hasn't with teams like Clare, who despite being a team in the making, look extremely dangerous. If we are in transition, I do not see us building for the future, I see David O'Sullivan/ Shane Fives/ Stephen Daniels/ Philip Mahony/ Adrian Power/ Stephen O'Keefe/ Tommy Ryan/ Brian O'Sullivan nowhere near the team in the positions they have proven themselves capable.

We may look a slightly more dangerous outfit with the likes of Mullane, and perhaps Kelly back on the panel, but I really am struggling to see where the improvement is from last year. I'm all for giving Michael Ryan and co. a chance, but think they need to start giving Waterford hurling a chance..

Ah would you come away out of it, Clare have been muck for the last few years and even though they have quite a few good young players at the moment, there is nobody in Clare expecting them to win an All-Ireland any time soon.

lar na pairc

Have to agree totally with your comments, play your strongest players/leaders in the position that suits them and the team the most. You don't see Brian Cody playing Brian Hogan up Centre Forward!
One comment on the lenght of the warm up, nearly 35 mins, same in Cork, KK do 15/20 mins amx in one go, all with the ball??

deisebhoy17

deiseach wrote: »

It was cash at the gate, and the stand was pretty much full. I'm sure you could have squeezed a few more in, but why should those who turn up with plenty of time to spare have to be crammed in to accommodate those who turn up at the last minute? The biggest problem in Walsh Park is the lack of proper terraces. Otherwise it's fine for our purposes.

u must be in the county board. walsh park is a bloody disgrace and has been with some time. im not saying we need a big state of the art stadium in this county, far from it but need something thats more accessible and with the times.

also saying that people who rush to get into matches right before the start deserve to be left waiting outside is ludicrous. many gaa followers have commitments at home with families, farms and business ect and make a effort to get there in time and pay their money like everyone else

lovelypoint

daddydick wrote: »

Ah would you come away out of it, Clare have been muck for the last few years and even though they have quite a few good young players at the moment, there is nobody in Clare expecting them to win an All-Ireland any time soon.

Ha ha, All-Irelands aside, I shan't be taking anyone for granted come June. I suspect we may see a re-evaluation of your own opinion around then, or perhaps you've already forgotten the fright Clare gave us in Munster when we last met..

hardybuck

Mountainlad wrote: »

To add to that, it was Liam Lawlor and Tony Browne's first game of the year, Shane O'Sullivan is just coming back in as well, Maurice has been injured the past few weeks. Shane Walsh and Ringo will be back next week, to be fair that is significant strengthening.

I don't think we'll be hammered by Tipp, Hardybuck, and I dunno the extent of your prophetic credentials but I have to say it's a bit much to say we'll be hammered by Galway and Dublin as well. Winning against Tipp and Galway would be a massive achievement in any year that we have to travel to their stadiums, so I'm not expecting a win but I think we'll put in a performance against them. Beating Dublin is achievable. They may have run Cork very close yesterday, but they were at home and while they are missing players, they weren't understrength to the extent that we have been. They also have better strength in depth, but once you have your full team available, it doesn't really matter how good no. 21-30 are from the point of view of winning a one off game.

I think Tipp as second best team in the country will beat us well in Thurles. Galway seem to be motoring well also, and we have an awful record up in Salthill. As I previously stated, I think we have a chance against Dublin and relegation will be between the two.

lovelypoint

PTH2009 wrote: »

Doubt this is true but is there a need for it

http://www.anfearrua.com/db.asp?a=topicdisplay&tid=1176451

Yeah, you kinda wonder about it if there is any truth. If Dan hadn't retired, would have thought he would have made a good impact sub at full forward, and had something to offer, but that said he's gone now and you'd wonder about a player coming back like that (even if the GAA is full of famous return retirees..).

lovelypoint

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

u must be in the county board. walsh park is a bloody disgrace and has been with some time. im not saying we need a big state of the art stadium in this county, far from it but need something thats more accessible and with the times.

also saying that people who rush to get into matches right before the start deserve to be left waiting outside is ludicrous. many gaa followers have commitments at home with families, farms and business ect and make a effort to get there in time and pay their money like everyone else

Don't think Walsh Park is the worst, and to be honest, I seem to have a growing fondness for it a little. That said, I do wish they would get the admin/ organisation side together, as the set-up on Sunday was poor.

Don't really know what the solution is long term to the issue of our county ground(s), as there's a big gulf between the needs a club championship or even league intercounty fixtures place on a ground in terms of capacity required, and that of intercounty championship and the possibility of hosting our own home championship fixtures. With regard to the latter, we seem to have a lot of White Elephant-type stadia, and is there really need for another. What I would like to see, is a nice comfortable little venue maybe of hosting 12- 15,000, something in the vein of Nowlan Park, although obviously Nowlan Park holds a little more than that.

Agree with you on the admission/ processing of people into Walsh Park too. County Board should be trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get into the game, mainly because fans deserve better (home & opposition), but also if its perceived to be hassle to get to a game, then people will vote with their feet (at least the floating fans).

lovelypoint

hardybuck wrote: »

I think Tipp as second best team in the country will beat us well in Thurles. Galway seem to be motoring well also, and we have an awful record up in Salthill. As I previously stated, I think we have a chance against Dublin and relegation will be between the two.

Seems like it will come down to ourselves and Dublin as relegation canditates I feel, and if thats the case at this stage, why not be a little foolhardy and use the remaining three league games as experimental opportunities if relegation is going to come down to ourselves and Dublin in a relegation playoff..