Waterford GAA Discussion Thread 2011-2012

Mountainlad

KevIRL wrote: »

Also, it should be noted we now face into our 8th Munster final since 2002. Thats pretty incredible stuff for Waterford. I hope that our support havent gotten to the stage of just expecting to be in the Final each season, as that consistency isnt always likely to be there

And fourth final in a row. We have only had to win one game in each of the four years but it's still some going. I think there may be an element of that or maybe more so the negativity that was surrounding this game, but there's no question that people don't have the money they used to as well.

Cake Man wrote: »

Daniels did do well but it is worth mentioning he did cough up some soft frees, got booked and I think his marker (McGrath or Ryan) got a few points from him. Not being critical of the lad, thought he did do well to and fair play to him.

Delighted to have another crack at Tipp or Cork in a Munster final, hopefully to put right the wrongs of last year. Still plenty of room for improvement but we'll enjoy the victory.

I thought he was excellent. Conor McGrath is one of the best young forwards in the country and he took his two scores excellently, and considering the amount of ball he got I thought Daniels did exceptionally well to hold him to that, delighted for him I must say. With Connors and Fives to come back as well, I really like the look of our back line.

deisebhoy17

I second all of the above.

Wouldnt be as harsh on Davy tho, dosent really mean anything to me to beat him I know a lot of fans are delighted to see him beaten. But I thought he did a decent enough job with Waterford when he was here overall. and left on good terms so dont think there was that much of an edge to it.

Id like to congratulate Michael Ryan though on a good win. He wouldnt have been a lot of peoples favourites for the job not least myself but at the start of the season if you told me Division One survival and a Munster final/guaranteed AI quarter Id have taken it. Today is a huge win and lets hope we can push on now. Nice to see us hurl with more freedom again.

By the way I didnt get into Thurles til half 2 and still managed to get a parking space in the square... right outside Hayses!!! Sign of the times or what?

KevIRL

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

.

By the way I didnt get into Thurles til half 2 and still managed to get a parking space in the square... right outside Hayses!!! Sign of the times or what?

We got into Thurles just before 3 and like yourself got a spot in the square, was more like a league game, the pubs and chipper vans must have really noticed the difference. Also noticed that Cullens pub is closed.

Some difference to the heady days of Munster finals v Cork in 03 and 04.

KevIRL

deisebhoy17 wrote: »

Id like to congratulate Michael Ryan though on a good win. He wouldnt have been a lot of peoples favourites for the job not least myself but at the start of the season if you told me Division One survival and a Munster final/guaranteed AI quarter Id have taken it. Today is a huge win and lets hope we can push on now. Nice to see us hurl with more freedom again.

Aye, fair play to Ryan indeed, he took a lot of stick in the league and deserves praise for the recent run of competitve wins. I also feel that due credit and recognition needs to go to Ken and Cullinane for the positive and calming influence they have had on the team.

The management team should come in for particular praise today for their substitutions today, each one of them worked a treat and was well timed also, it made a welcome change from the Davy era when I felt very often he was slow to make a change.

Final note on the management team, I hope they take Tommy Ryan aside and tell him if he ever finds himself through on goal in injury time with his team leading by 2 points he should take the point on offer not go for goal. Worst case it would mean we couldnt lose.

deisebhoy17

KevIRL wrote: »

Final note on the management team, I hope they take Tommy Ryan aside and tell him if he ever finds himself through on goal in injury time with his team leading by 2 points he should take the point on offer not go for goal. Worst case it would mean we couldnt lose.

yea memories of eoin mcgrath v cork 07 quarter final drawn game. through on goal went for a goal, saved by cusack. a point would have drawn the game. as it turned out we got a free to draw the game after but I know exactly what your saying

PTH2009

Very good win today, really thought Clare were going to score a goal from that free. Thank god Darrach Honan didnt have the skills to score that goal near the end. Thought John Mullane was unusally quite (well not near the end, was celebrating like we won the all ireland lol). Its great for the county to be preparing for a Munster Final instead of a all ireland qulifer. and have a guaranteed All Ireland Quarter Final place.

The crowd was very disapointing. I reckoned the crowd was 60-40 Waterford. I really hope the munster concil learns from this and slashes the price of the tickets. Have a gut feeling the prices for the final will be 35 stand and 25 terrace.

However if youre and OAP or have vailid student ID you can avail of a refund ( i paid 30 for the ticket online and got 10 euro back).

If its a Waterford/Tipperary final its on in that dead trap of a place in Cork, hopefully not a repeat of last years scoreline

If its Waterford/Cork final its on in Thurles and would be much better location eg Pubs,food, atmosphere.

Hopefully the minors can win on Wednesday making it the 4th time in a row that Waterford play in both Senoir and Minor Munster Finals.

redlead

PTH2009 wrote: »

Thought John Mullane was unusally quite (well not near the end, was celebrating like we won the all ireland lol).

I thought Mullane did very well, especially when he came out into the half forward line. He uncharacteristically won some excellent aerial ball and contributed a lot more to overall play than he usually does. He got three lovely scorers too.

KevIRL

Mullane quiet? Were you watching the same game?

bruschi

not sure why so many of ye are getting so riled up that the 'experts' picked Clare to win. Many others tipped Waterford, and pretty much anyone who was calling this game thought it would be really close. If Clare scored that free at the end, does that make them all right and that Waterford are finished? no, it was a tight game that a lot of people thought could go either way, and thats what happened. Had Waterford came out and hammered Clare you might well say f*ck the media and all the other crap, but it was a tight win that could very very easily have gone the other way. Dont know why all the chip on the shoulder comments have to come out after a good win.

/rant.

decent game, if lacking quality. I think the teams were a bit match practise short, and this told with a number of mistakes on both sides. good intensity to it though, and being honest, it was a game both sides could claim they were better. Whilst it may not have been a penalty, Clares goal had a clear free out in the build up. Ref gave harmless frees both ways, but overall, didnt influence the game. Connors was lucky a penalty wasnt given against him when he barged Conlon out of it as McGrath came in by the endline and shot. Would expect more out of Waterford, and was impressed by a lot of their younger players.

The blue blaa

cornerboy wrote: »

Love the bit where Davey had the row with the linesman...."I have 2 f***ing all ireland medals...what the F**k have you"

Was that not aimed at Kelly?

PTH2009

redlead wrote: »

I thought Mullane did very well, especially when he came out into the half forward line. He uncharacteristically won some excellent aerial ball and contributed a lot more to overall play than he usually does. He got three lovely scorers too.

I found it confusing with 3 Waterford forwards having red helmets on. It may of been someother player.

How would you rate Kelly Performance ??.

Anyone know why Tony Browne didnt come on ??

LeftBlank

Pity the attendance was very poor for this game. Though I wonder how much 25 euro in had to do with it or was it more due to general apathy with hurling.

deisebhoy17

just watching the sunday game highlights kellys celebration after his goal was pretty ridiculous considering he was rubbish for most of the game. Weve not come to expect anything better but hes not a kid anymore and youd think hed rise above that at this stage. kinda makes us look silly

quintain

PTH2009 wrote: »

I found it confusing with 3 Waterford forwards having red helmets on.

not half as confusing as the radio commentator on rte, he hadn't a clue what was going on and to add to the confusion he was getting mixed up between Kearney and Daniels

At one stage Kearney cleared a ball off the Half back line and he said "look where Mullane is now" jaysus, I took the Earphone out at that stage !!

redlead

I actually thought that Kelly did okay in the first half. He was putting their backs under a lot of pressure which resulted in us winning breaking ball from him. He also showed a bit of guile to win the penalty. This isn't necessarily something to be commended but it is something which Waterford has always lacked. The celebration wouldn't bother me at all, that kind of crap goes on in games all the time. It certainly wasn;t a stellar performance from him but I'm certainly glad he was there to take the penalty. Lads have a serious vindictive hatred of this guy and should give him a break. He's been going very well for Passage lately and can hopefully bring that form into the Munster final.

quintain

On the sundae game what was eddie referring to about Laois and Vaughan?

Black Suir

KevIRL wrote: »

Aye, fair play to Ryan indeed, he took a lot of stick in the league and deserves praise for the recent run of competitve wins. I also feel that due credit and recognition needs to go to Ken and Cullinane for the positive and calming influence they have had on the team.

The management team should come in for particular praise today for their substitutions today, each one of them worked a treat and was well timed also, it made a welcome change from the Davy era when I felt very often he was slow to make a change.

Final note on the management team, I hope they take Tommy Ryan aside and tell him if he ever finds himself through on goal in injury time with his team leading by 2 points he should take the point on offer not go for goal. Worst case it would mean we couldnt lose.

I would not be too harsh on him. Pictures on the Sunday Game in the last few minutes clearly shows that he was well hooked.

Black Suir

LeftBlank wrote: »

Pity the attendance was very poor for this game. Though I wonder how much 25 euro in had to do with it or was it more due to general apathy with hurling.

30 for those that had to pay the full price.

hardybuck

Black Suir wrote: »

I would not be too harsh on him. Pictures on the Sunday Game in the last few minutes clearly shows that he was well hooked.

I would. If I was a senior player or member of management I'd be having a word with him over it. He had the option of feeding players in a better position but took the selfish option. It almost cost us in the end, we'd have been very angry if Clare had won by a point. Gavin O'Brien did something similar in the first half, inexperience.

KevIRL

Black Suir wrote: »

I would not be too harsh on him. Pictures on the Sunday Game in the last few minutes clearly shows that he was well hooked.

hardybuck wrote: »

I would. If I was a senior player or member of management I'd be having a word with him over it. He had the option of feeding players in a better position but took the selfish option. It almost cost us in the end, we'd have been very angry if Clare had won by a point. Gavin O'Brien did something similar in the first half, inexperience.

I agree with Black Suir, its a learning point for the lads, and I'd like to think they'll be taken to one side and told to take a point in the situation or look for an easier goal chance. Dont mean to overly lambast them, they are young and like I said its just learning.

KevIRL

Michael Ryan made a good point also that this was our first competitve game in 11 weeks. Certainly room to improve more

hardybuck

KevIRL wrote: »

I agree with Black Suir, its a learning point for the lads, and I'd like to think they'll be taken to one side and told to take a point in the situation or look for an easier goal chance. Dont mean to overly lambast them, they are young and like I said its just learning.

The lad is in his fourth year in senior. A word in training and it shouldn't be happening again.

deisebhoy17

redlead wrote: »

Lads have a serious vindictive hatred of this guy and should give him a break. He's been going very well for Passage lately and can hopefully bring that form into the Munster final.

I dunno about that I certainly dont have a vindictive hatred of him, in fact I try to root for him as best I can but when you see him still at that after all these years. Maybe it dosent make much odds but certainly dosent do anyone any favours.

Mullanes reaction with Davy was bizarre. In fairness Mullane has matured a lot in recent years unlike Kelly so maybe that was just banter rather than spite. Never forget Davy &Mullane rolling around the ground hugging and kissing after the AI semi v Tipp 2008!

Fentdog84

Had to laugh when the Sunday game showed back the Davy shouting at kelly incident. Pity anyone on the panel didnt have the stones to say what Mod Snip he shouldnt be acting like that on the sideline. Have a good little cry Davy tonite when before you go to sleep.

Mountainlad

bruschi wrote: »

not sure why so many of ye are getting so riled up that the 'experts' picked Clare to win. Many others tipped Waterford, and pretty much anyone who was calling this game thought it would be really close. If Clare scored that free at the end, does that make them all right and that Waterford are finished? no, it was a tight game that a lot of people thought could go either way, and thats what happened. Had Waterford came out and hammered Clare you might well say f*ck the media and all the other crap, but it was a tight win that could very very easily have gone the other way. Dont know why all the chip on the shoulder comments have to come out after a good win.

/rant.

It'd be one thing, Bruschi, if this was the first time but time and again we're listening to how Waterford are past it and how they'll get beaten, especially when it comes to Galway. If it annoys us I can only imagine how the players feel given the effort they are putting in. We may not be in Kilkenny's league but the team gets undersold far too often. And I think I heard one person say Waterford would win and that was Sean Moran in the Irish Times. Outside of that nobody was saying they'd win, even if they were saying it would be tight.

redlead wrote: »

I actually thought that Kelly did okay in the first half. He was putting their backs under a lot of pressure which resulted in us winning breaking ball from him. He also showed a bit of guile to win the penalty. This isn't necessarily something to be commended but it is something which Waterford has always lacked. The celebration wouldn't bother me at all, that kind of crap goes on in games all the time. It certainly wasn;t a stellar performance from him but I'm certainly glad he was there to take the penalty. Lads have a serious vindictive hatred of this guy and should give him a break. He's been going very well for Passage lately and can hopefully bring that form into the Munster final.

I don't, thought he was very average, I remember him keeping the ball alive for Shane Walsh's point but that was about it. Again, he was just blessed with penalty. The tv angle wasn't great, but it was as clear as day to me and I was gobsmacked that it was given. There was nothing subtle about it like. As for his reaction, I don't mind celebrating with the crowd but don't get in the players faces as you may yet rue it. I have no hatred of him either, just think he hasn't really shown an awful lot in the last few years and exceptions always seem to have to be made for him when he's around the panel without sufficient evidence to suggest that they should continue to allow that.



On a different note, I have to say I am disappointed with RTÉ. There was no need to go draggin up the footage of Fitzgerald from the sideline, and then typical of them to say people on Twitter asked them to 'investigate'it. Shameful stuff, especially when you consider them picking him up last year during the Limerick match and I can only assume it's intentional.

I think what Fitz said is a sign of what he thinks of the players and I have no sympathy for him for Waterford players celebrating after the match. I also think to much was made of that as while he was near I don't think they were right in front of him. While I have no doubt they wanted him to see how much it meant to them there can't be any complaints because he'd have been doing the exact same if Clare had won.

I think Davy knew what he was saying on the sideline was picked up so he was coy enough being interviewed after the match basically saying it was banter.

The Intruder

redlead wrote: »

That's a description of Molumphy 5 years ago. He is a shadow of his former self and I would not even have him in the squad. He has lost the ability to consistently win dirty ball which made him such a key component of our team. He's nothing but a liability these days. His contribution consists of finding as many opposition players as possible, running into them and falling over and losing the ball.

I love it when people get it so wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

deisefolife

KevIRL wrote: »

Mullane quiet? Were you watching the same game?

lol

deisefolife

The Intruder wrote: »

I love it when people get it so wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

Well said.
Great work horse proved his worth again today

Mountainlad

The Intruder wrote: »

I love it when people get it so wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

At least he's offering his opinion on things!

marco_polo

PTH2009 wrote: »

Very good win today, really thought Clare were going to score a goal from that free. Thank god Darrach Honan didnt have the skills to score that goal near the end...

Bit harsh, to be fair to the lad he only rejoined our panel maybe three weeks ago, having not hurled in probably a year if not more. When on his game he has a fantastic touch for a player of his height.

As for the sledging that goes on it is an aspect of the game I completely detest, but to be fair to Mullane, Kelly or Davy (and I do think a manager should most certainly be getting involved in that sort of nonsense) at least they are able to take it just as well as they dish it out.

mickmcl09

Hats off to Waterford today, ye deserved the win.
Not much between the teams and I don't think Clare have much to complain about, even taking the penalty into account, Waterford probably edged it in terms of other goal chances 'that could have been'. Clare will naturally rue alot of missed frees during the game, but in fairness Maurice missed a few but maybe not as many.

For me the difference between the teams, Daniels, Molumphy and in particular Prendergast, he completely negated James McInerney, got a fair bit of primary aerial possession, chipped in with a few scores and assists. I found it so frustrating during the league watching the Brick at CF when ye had this guy at ye're disposal.
While experience may have a bit to do with the win, I thought Clare made it difficult for themselves by playing a possession game instead of giving the forwards quicker ball, some of our forwards looked very dangerous when they were in possession. It looked like they'd been instructed not to shoot unless they're 100% sure the score is on and I think it's holding them back as a team. Overall I'm not too disappointed with the team, they're young and the potential and committment doesn't seem to be lacking.

On a lower note, Davy's language on the sideline was cringeworthy, not the kind of thing you want your 5 year old listening to. In fact it only serves in bringing the game into disrepute. Eoin Kelly's goal celebration, for different reasons was equally cringeworthy, in a different hurling era he'd have been laid out by the opposition and he'd have deserved it. I didn't see Mullanes after match celebration, but if it's true, well, it doesn't say much for the man either. Be as gracious in victory as you should in defeat. All 3 let themselves down today particularly Davy and Mullane (ie if he did celebrate in Davy's Face).

Enjoyed the match, gripping tight contest to the end, unlike many of the preliminary championship games in recent years. You'd have been forgiven if you thought it was knock- out, something that also has been lacking in recent years in preliminary championship games. Best of luck in the final.

DublinGAA96

What did I say? I said weeks ago on this very forum lads, Molumphy is a massive player to this team and still has more to offer and I think he proved that today. He proved most of ye wrong today.

Was great to get the win today. Firstly, SOK had a powerful game on goal he made super saves. If anybody seen his reaction for the goal he let in he clearly wasn't happy but it was his debut aswell, and it was a well taken goal. Aidan Kearney looked bad today. A lot of ball
Went over his head and he was caught a few times. He was worrying today, a more experienced forward would of served Kearneys arse on a plate to him with the chances that were there. Brick was as solid as ever, catching ball, and distributing it perfectly. Maurice Shanahan was ****ing useless. Absolute thrash. Definetly shouldn't of started he was hopeless.
Surely to god he be dropped. Personally I think apart from Mullane, Kelly(at times) were a bit light in the forward department.
Not enough of fellas there. Gavin O'Brien is still young yet. Paul O'Brien and Martin ONeill did well when they came on. Particularly O'Brien his first touch very good and won scoring frees. Either of them lads are worth a start all day long over Maurice Shanahan.
Was good to win today and prove people wrong. Just goes to show were far from finished. There's a serious amount of youth and talent in panel as well as old guards. Up the Déise!

marco_polo

Don't know much about your new keeper but he looks a excellent player who will be between the post for a long time to come.

hurler on de ditch

marco_polo wrote: »

Don't know much about your new keeper but he looks a excellent player who will be between the post for a long time to come.

ah the dust has settled ,good win over clare ,just as well really ,if you could not beat clare you would have no hope for rest of the year,

redlead

The Intruder wrote: »

I love it when people get it so wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

I'm delighted to be proven wrong by Stephen. It's his best game for a long time and was a deserving motm. One brilliant game does not mean that he has not been well below par for a few years in championship though. He has clearly proved that he is well capable of producing brilliant performances at this level though, so fingers crossed he keeps it up.

My personal motm would have been Seamus Prendergast who is another player I would not have selected. I thought he was brilliant. I haven't seen him have a game like that since the mid naughties.

Clareman

Folks, personal attacks/name calling is not going to be tolerated on here anymore, this will be the last warning given for ALL posters, from now on bans will be handed out.

Black Suir

Waterford are paired with Wicklow in the First round of the All-Ireland football qualifiers. Waterford came second out of the hat meaning they will have to travel to Aughrim.

The draw in full reads -
Laois V Carlow,
LouthV Westmeath,
Roscommon V Armagh,
Fermanagh V Cavan,
Offaly V Tipperary,
London V Antrim,
Wicklow V Waterford,
Derry V Longford.

I wonder will the Waterford fixture be reversed. Waterford played away last year twice to London and Limerick. Wicklow played at home to Sligo. Does this mean that Waterford will get to play at home this year, and if it does where will the game be played. Jedward have Fraher Field taken over that weekend. If the game is switched to Walsh Park, surely the G.A.A. would be better off giving free admission as inter county football in Walsh Park or Carriganore is not well supported. Thats not saying it is in Fraher Field but they do manage to get a few hundred in for most games in Dungarvan.

hardybuck

Black Suir wrote: »

Waterford are paired with Wicklow in the First round of the All-Ireland football qualifiers. Waterford came second out of the hat meaning they will have to travel to Aughrim.

The draw in full reads -
Laois V Carlow,
LouthV Westmeath,
Roscommon V Armagh,
Fermanagh V Cavan,
Offaly V Tipperary,
London V Antrim,
Wicklow V Waterford,
Derry V Longford.

I wonder will the Waterford fixture be reversed. Waterford played away last year twice to London and Limerick. Wicklow played at home to Sligo. Does this mean that Waterford will get to play at home this year, and if it does where will the game be played. Jedward have Fraher Field taken over that weekend. If the game is switched to Walsh Park, surely the G.A.A. would be better off giving free admission as inter county football in Walsh Park or Carriganore is not well supported. Thats not saying it is in Fraher Field but they do manage to get a few hundred in for most games in Dungarvan.

Apparently only counties who played a Round 1 game away from home get home advantage if not drawn out first from the hat. Waterford didn't play in Round 1 last year if memory serves me correct, so they don't fall into that category for that reason I believe.

This is a game we should be looking to win, and Wicklow are normally very wary of us. However, Wicklow improved during the league and were promoted, and we went the opposite direction. I heard we were beaten handily by Offaly recently and only had 16 players.

Will Gary Hurney be fit? That could be the difference between winning and losing.

glick6

DublinGAA96 wrote: »

What did I say? I said weeks ago on this very forum lads, Molumphy is a massive player to this team and still has more to offer and I think he proved that today. He proved most of ye wrong today.

Was great to get the win today. Firstly, SOK had a powerful game on goal he made super saves. If anybody seen his reaction for the goal he let in he clearly wasn't happy but it was his debut aswell, and it was a well taken goal. Aidan Kearney looked bad today. A lot of ball
Went over his head and he was caught a few times. He was worrying today, a more experienced forward would of served Kearneys arse on a plate to him with the chances that were there. Brick was as solid as ever, catching ball, and distributing it perfectly. Maurice Shanahan was ****ing useless. Absolute thrash. Definetly shouldn't of started he was hopeless.
Surely to god he be dropped. Personally I think apart from Mullane, Kelly(at times) were a bit light in the forward department.
Not enough of fellas there. Gavin O'Brien is still young yet. Paul O'Brien and Martin ONeill did well when they came on. Particularly O'Brien his first touch very good and won scoring frees. Either of them lads are worth a start all day long over Maurice Shanahan.
Was good to win today and prove people wrong. Just goes to show were far from finished. There's a serious amount of youth and talent in panel as well as old guards. Up the Déise!

Out of interest, were you at the game?

marco_polo

hurler on de ditch wrote: »

marco_polo wrote: »

Don't know much about your new keeper but he looks a excellent player who will be between the post for a long time to come.

ah the dust has settled ,good win over clare ,just as well really ,if you could not beat clare you would have no hope for rest of the year,

Isn't it usually customary for replies to have some relevance to the quoted post

Deise Hurler

DublinGAA96 what are you on about. Will have to watch back the game on the rte player but maurice shanahan was far from ****ing useless. Scored from play and won frees that he converted. You are being more than a bit harsh on the lad.

DublinGAA96

glick6 wrote: »

DublinGAA96 wrote: »

What did I say? I said weeks ago on this very forum lads, Molumphy is a massive player to this team and still has more to offer and I think he proved that today. He proved most of ye wrong today.

Was great to get the win today. Firstly, SOK had a powerful game on goal he made super saves. If anybody seen his reaction for the goal he let in he clearly wasn't happy but it was his debut aswell, and it was a well taken goal. Aidan Kearney looked bad today. A lot of ball
Went over his head and he was caught a few times. He was worrying today, a more experienced forward would of served Kearneys arse on a plate to him with the chances that were there. Brick was as solid as ever, catching ball, and distributing it perfectly. Maurice Shanahan was ****ing useless. Absolute thrash. Definetly shouldn't of started he was hopeless.
Surely to god he be dropped. Personally I think apart from Mullane, Kelly(at times) were a bit light in the forward department.
Not enough of fellas there. Gavin O'Brien is still young yet. Paul O'Brien and Martin ONeill did well when they came on. Particularly O'Brien his first touch very good and won scoring frees. Either of them lads are worth a start all day long over Maurice Shanahan.
Was good to win today and prove people wrong. Just goes to show were far from finished. There's a serious amount of youth and talent in panel as well as old guards. Up the Déise!

Out of interest, were you at the game?

Yeah I was at the game... Why?

redlead

Here is my long winded two pence on the game and incidents with player ratings:

Player Ratings

O'Keefe: 9 - Couldn't have possibly wished for a better debut. His save from McGrath was absolutely exceptional. There was no way Hennessy would have saved that. His puckouts were also much better than Hennesseys (even if we couldn't win a lot of them).

Kearney: 4 - He had a shocker. He was lacking the sharpness required of a corner back and was being taken to the cleaners by McGrath before they switched Daniels on to him.

Lawlor: 8 - Has developed into an excellent full back. His main priority is to get the ball anywhere as long as it is away from him and thats exactly what we need. He knows he's not a "hurler" so doesnt bother trying to be one.

Daniels: 8 - He had one of those games where despite the fact that he gave away a couple of stupid frees and conceeded a few scores to his man, still managed to have a very good game. If he wasn't moved onto McGrath, he might have ran riot.

Mahony: 7 - All in all, I thought he was reasonably solid without being spectacular. I think that he is a guy who will be a very good player but I'm not sure how much he can improve.

Brick: 7 - He had a mixed game but was absolutely brilliant at crucial times. Probably a slightly harsh mark for him but I also thought that he was poor at times too, particularly for one of the goals.

Foley: 5 - He didn't have a good game. He was very loose throughout and gave away two pointed frees for throwing the ball (He does this a lot).

Moran: 8 - He had a great game. Was very solid throughout and won some brilliant aerial ball. He gives 100% at all times and there never seems to be a lull in his performances throughout games.

Molumphy: 9 - He had as good a game as he ever had. He had a brilliant game, easily on a par with his all star season. Won an unreal amount of dirty ball and always seemed to distribute it well too.

Shanahan: 6 - He just frustrates me so much. He spends way too much time on the ball (Clare would love him). He also seemed a lot slower than usual so did not particularly do anything productive when he got the ball. He took his two points well but the jury is still out on him as far as I am concerned. He was substituted at the right time.

Prendergast: 9 - I haven't seen him have a game like that since the mid naughties. I thought that he was absolutely phenomenal. He won an unreal amount of brilliant aerial ball and always seemed to do the right thing with it. He was my motm but I don't begrudge Molumphy winning it at all.

Kelly: 6 - What was good is that he clearly worked very hard throughout the game even if things didn't always go well for him (he obviously has learned he can't arse around). He has to be given credit for the pressure he put the Clare back line under. They were very nervous around him which resulted in us getting a lot of breaking ball off him in the first half. Unfortunately he wasn't able to win much clean ball and will look to improve this the next day. He finished with 1-01 and I was glad he was there to take the penalty because I would have zero confidence in any of the others to take it. He was correctly substituted as he was making little impact in the second half (his fittness levels still need to improve imo).

Mullane: 9 - I thought that he was brilliant. He didn't play a classic Mullane type of game but his contribution was unbelievable. He won some brilliant aerial ball when he was out in the half forward line (something he never does) and he was extremely unselfish (uncharacteristically) with the ball. He set up a number of scores for others. On top of that he managed 0-3 himself. .

Walsh: 8 - He had a classic walsh game. I.e he either gets a goal or doesn't without doing much else. Over the last few years, he seems to consistently get them though. Walsh does what he says on the tin essentially and I was delighted with his contribution (1-01 was it?). He was correctly substituted as he was knackered.

O'Brien: 5 - He seemed nervous and a bit out of his depth. Went for glory at a tight angle when Kelly had lost his man in the square. It was a certain goal if he just past it across. He scored a lovely point but didn't get on the ball much.

Subs: Paul O'Brien did really really well when he came on, he made a brilliant impact. O'Neill took his score lovely too. I would have shot Ryan on the spot for greedily going for glory. He was well hooked but should never in a million years have attempted a shot. There were two waterford men next to him with an open goal which would have finished the game. In the end we were lucky not to lose it.

Manager Rating

Michael Ryan: 8 - He did well. We are playing a much nicer more direct style of hurling which suits us. It was funny looking at the contrast with Clare who were playing like we did last year, i.e. way too much short passing when it is completely unnecessary. He also made all the substitutions at the right time (when he felt the player coming off had given their full contribution). Davy used to throw lads on with 5 mins to go when it was too late for them to do anything.


Incidents

I think too much is being made of them. Firstly lets establish something, Eoin Kelly is (lets say not a gentlemen hurler)but its an ungentlemanly hurler that Waterford often needs. He drew the foul by fouling himself and other players wouldn't have done that. End result he won a penalty which he knew he would bury. I have nothing against his celebration either (which lets be honest, was tame enough), he was getting under the Clare players skin big time and that can affect a performance. As I say, its poor sportsmanship no doubt but every team is at that and it does us no harm whatsoever if one or two of our players are it too. I acknowledge that that is a controversial opinion and fully understand why some people would strongly disagree with it too.

Davy and Mullane incident: This is more of a talking point but again is being blown out of all proportion. RTE have an agenda against Davy which is pathetic. If they followed Cody around with a camera you wouldn't know what he would come up with. Davy should have more sense but these things go on in games all the time. I really don't know why people are so shocked about it. Mullanes behavior was very disappointing. He was goaded into it but should not have reacted. In saying that, neither Davy or Mullane will lose any sleep over it, so I don't think that anyone else should either.

glick6

Excellent synopsis redlead. No mention for Noel Connors? Played the full second half and did well I thought. Extremely encouraging to see him back.

DublinGaa, my opinions on some of the players differed to yours, I was just wondering had you seen it there or on tv. I was talking to a few people who watched it on tv said Maurice wasnt great. I actually thought he did ok. Definitely wouldnt have described his performance as you did. Thought he actually won quite a bit of primary ball.

redlead

glick6 wrote: »

Excellent synopsis redlead. No mention for Noel Connors? Played the full second half and did well I thought. Extremely encouraging to see him back.

DublinGaa, my opinions on some of the players differed to yours, I was just wondering had you seen it there or on tv. I was talking to a few people who watched it on tv said Maurice wasnt great. I actually thought he did ok. Definitely wouldnt have described his performance as you did. Thought he actually won quite a bit of primary ball.

Don't know how I forgot Connors :eek:

I agree with you, I thought he did pretty well. I'm delighted he got the game time too. That will stand to him ahead of the Munster final.

calvin_zola

Who would ye rather in the Munster lads?

I'd love Cork, epic day out in Thurles. Mind you I can't see them beating Tipp

Psychedelic

Lot of positives to take from the game. Our overall performance and style was good and refreshing to see. Lots of players scored (10 I think) so we weren't just relying on Mullane for scores like we were a lot of the time under Davy.

A lot of good individual performances with only a few players playing just okay or poorly, Kearney and a couple of the new lads but it was their debut. Kelly was average but belted in his goal chance and got a point too, thought Shanahan could've done better. Molumphy would've been my man of the match.

We nearly threw it away but thankfully we hung on to win, deservedly in my opinion.

Mountainlad

calvin_zola wrote: »

Who would ye rather in the Munster lads?

I'd love Cork, epic day out in Thurles. Mind you I can't see them beating Tipp

I'd prefer Cork just for the game to be on in Thurles. Dunno who we'd have a better chance against. It's a Cork team with some very good young players, a really good forward line and a solid backline. They will certainly push Tipp all the way. We haven't beaten Tipp since 2008 and our league performances haven't been great against them either. We still don't have a plan to stop Noel McGrath who killed us in the league. If we do play them it'll be closer than last year though, of that I'm certain.

Either way, it'll be a very tough match.

Mountainlad

By the way lads, Kelly did not score a point. Maybe people are confusing him with Seamus Prender?