Waterford GAA Discussion Thread - **MOD NOTE POST #1**

PTH2009

Just reading there's 14 teachers either qualified or training in the Waterford panel ATM

http://dlvr.it/NmSCZQ

TheScoringGoal

The problem with Stephen Bennett is that not alone is he one of our best finishers but he's also probably our best ball winner in the air aside from Austin Gleeson. So at times he is needed to do a shift in the half forward line (as Kilkenny forwards do).

They haven't played together in there yet but I have a slight doubt if he and Maurice could play in the full forward line together. Maybe they are the ideal two to rotate between lines.

danganabu

Fred C Dobbs wrote: »

GIVEITFONG   Also agree re Stephen Daniels ... he has an aggressive streak and is worth persevering with.

He is a liability and if Waterford are to line out with both Daniels and Gleeson, the chances of finishing with 15 on the field are minimal. There is having a tough streak and there is filth, Daniels very much ticks the latter box.

Fred C Dobbs

A bit of "filth" now and then hasn't harmed some of the best backs.  When was the last time Gleeson was sent off playing for Waterford ?

danganabu

Fred C Dobbs wrote: »

A bit of "filth" now and then hasn't harmed some of the best backs.  When was the last time Gleeson was sent off playing for Waterford ?

Was taken off in last years Munster Final as he had completely lost it and a red card was the next step, should have been sent off in the U21 Munster Final as well and was needlessly getting involved last Sunday, it's a flaw, you can choose to ignore it if you like but there is undoubtedly question mark over his temperament as has been the case with loads of exceptionally talented players.

A bit of filth is fine, if you have half a brain to go with it, Daniels has one of these traits, the other one is questionable.

cul beag

So Murphy and Gavin O Brien have jumped ship. How will the spin doctors relay this to us?! Flannery, Maher walked aswell so there's a trend setting in here. My way or the highway and that's why Dan is still there. The players got rid of O Connor so the fuhrer is drastically running out of allies!

PTH2009

cul beag wrote: »

So Murphy and Gavin O Brien have jumped ship. How will the spin doctors relay this to us?! Flannery, Maher walked aswell so there's a trend setting in here. My way or the highway and that's why Dan is still there. The players got rid of O Connor so the fuhrer is drastically running out of allies!

Jim Greene might come in like 2014

cascade12

cul beag wrote: »

So Murphy and Gavin O Brien have jumped ship. How will the spin doctors relay this to us?! Flannery, Maher walked aswell so there's a trend setting in here. My way or the highway and that's why Dan is still there. The players got rid of O Connor so the fuhrer is drastically running out of allies!

Were you one of the lads who earlier in the year was complaining about too many Roanmore players getting game time? Now when they leave you are using it as a stick to beat Mcgrath with (kettle calling the pot black springs to mind). Waterford have improved a lot since Flannery and Maher left, would'nt you agree. And you are also saying that Dan is a yes man. Dont think so. Derek running out of allies! Dont think so either, and off course you would have been someone who was a big fan of Gavin and Philip. Get the bitterness out of your system and go and support the team like the rest of the genuine supporters. Your personal grudge is clouding your judgement. As far as Derek and Dan are concerned I would say they have far more allies than you, where Waterford Hurling is concerned.

conditioned games

Not a good sign the new selector only in the job a few months has left already, this along with 3 other selectors that have left over the last 3 years. It's a results business, if McGrath can get the best out of the panel come championship then nothing more will be thought of this. However this will surely add more questions and pressure to the job.

cul beag

cascade12 wrote: »

Were you one of the lads who earlier in the year was complaining about too many Roanmore players getting game time? Now when they leave you are using it as a stick to beat Mcgrath with (kettle calling the pot black springs to mind). Waterford have improved a lot since Flannery and Maher left, would'nt you agree. And you are also saying that Dan is a yes man. Dont think so. Derek running out of allies! Dont think so either, and off course you would have been someone who was a big fan of Gavin and Philip. Get the bitterness out of your system and go and support the team like the rest of the genuine supporters. Your personal grudge is clouding your judgement. As far as Derek and Dan are concerned I would say they have far more allies than you, where Waterford Hurling is concerned.

Tick tock,tick tock,tick tock.

Twiceasnice97

cul beag wrote: »

So Murphy and Gavin O Brien have jumped ship. How will the spin doctors relay this to us?! Flannery, Maher walked aswell so there's a trend setting in here. My way or the highway and that's why Dan is still there. The players got rid of O Connor so the fuhrer is drastically running out of allies!

who is murphy

cul beag

Twiceasnice97 wrote: »

who is murphy

A selector with McGrath.

Deise Gael

Does this mean that the four players who have really been picking the team with Derek are going to be named as official selectors?

Obviously Murphy and Gavin - who is one of the most honest lads you would ever come across - had seen enough.


No surprise!

Stopitwillya

Deise Gael wrote: »

Does this mean that the four players who have really been picking the team with Derek are going to be named as official selectors?

Obviously Murphy and Gavin - who is one of the most honest lads you would ever come across - had seen enough.


No surprise!

What four players would they be then?

This is nearly as ridicolous as when you said Martin Fogarty and Tommy Dunne were going coaching Ballygunner this year.

enoughtaken

Are they the four that culbaire won't disclose to us !!!!! Can't do smileys on iPhone.

mickmackmcgoo

Ian O'Regan (Mount Sion)
2. Shane Fives (Tourin)
3. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart)
4. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
5. Tadhg de Burca (Clashmore / Kinsalebeg)
18. Seamus Keating (Ardmore)
7. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater)
8. Mark O'Brien (Ferrybank)
9. Tommy Ryan (Tallow)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
11. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
14. DJ Foran (Portlaw)
13. Tom Devine (Modeligo)
23. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore

Get you're money on Galway.

robopaddy2

mickmackmcgoo wrote: »

Ian O'Regan (Mount Sion)
2. Shane Fives (Tourin)
3. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart)
4. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
5. Tadhg de Burca (Clashmore / Kinsalebeg)
18. Seamus Keating (Ardmore)
7. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater)
8. Mark O'Brien (Ferrybank)
9. Tommy Ryan (Tallow)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
11. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
14. DJ Foran (Portlaw)
13. Tom Devine (Modeligo)
23. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore

Get you're money on Galway.

Im confused. Surely you experiment with the younger players during the early stages of the league, then if you get to the knock out stages you settle on a stronger side to try and go win the damn thing. Not the other way around

mickmackmcgoo

robopaddy2 wrote:

Im confused. Surely you experiment with the younger players during the early stages of the league, then if you get to the knock out stages you settle on a stronger side to try and go win the damn thing. Not the other way around

Winning the league is way down the list of priorities it seems .

JesusRef

mickmackmcgoo wrote: »

Ian O'Regan (Mount Sion)
2. Shane Fives (Tourin)
3. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart)
4. Shane McNulty (De La Salle)
5. Tadhg de Burca (Clashmore / Kinsalebeg)
18. Seamus Keating (Ardmore)
7. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater)
8. Mark O'Brien (Ferrybank)
9. Tommy Ryan (Tallow)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
11. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)
14. DJ Foran (Portlaw)
13. Tom Devine (Modeligo)
23. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore

Get you're money on Galway.

the league obviously not a priority this year - half considering not travelling to galway now

Gavlor

robopaddy2 wrote: »

Im confused. Surely you experiment with the younger players during the early stages of the league, then if you get to the knock out stages you settle on a stronger side to try and go win the damn thing. Not the other way around

Nope, you retain your status with a few half competitive games but don't burn too much oil along the way.

I'm delighted with that team selection

ThaiTanic

Sweet Jesus Christ I've seen it all with McGrath now, If you go back to the last thread a couple of months ago where I said a few senior players weren't happy with McGrath it's all coming to a head now! Gavin O Brien (who's not one of them) walked off the panel along with the selector in the past few days!

As for the team he's just named? All I will say is I was wrong about Clare last week, but I will give anyone my I) house II) car iii) dog if waterford come within 6 points of Galway this weekend!

This will get embarrassing and I've €100 on Galway to win by 16 points or more at 20/1 (it's a long shot but massive value with joe canning back)

Where are the pro McGrath posters now? Can they justify this haha? #prayforwaterford

cul beag

Gavlor wrote: »

Nope, you retain your status with a few half competitive games but don't burn too much oil along the way.

I'm delighted with that team selection

Haha oh god the laughing.

cul beag

mickmackmcgoo wrote: »

Winning the league is way down the list of priorities it seems .

That happens when you get bored of winning it every year! We always have the Vauxhall Conference!

cul beag

The news and star will be interesting next tues! The floor is yours Fluff!!

Stopitwillya

Happy enough with that team seen as it's obvious that the intention is not to win the league this year. Be interesting to see how the new lads get on and it can't be any worse than the day in Walsh park versus tipp watching the likes of Jake Dillon and Gavin O Brien. Who knows one of the new lads may put their hand up to start come championship. Better that than starting players whom we already know are not up to it.

PTH2009

Guess I won't be heading to the semis finals on Easter Sunday but the job for this league campaign is done and this is bonus territory

It's time for the new guys to shine and show what there made of. Remember last year with a similar experimental side we drew with Galway

Can see Galway winning well but this match will not have a baring on the rest of the year. I hope this team puts in a huge performance Sunday

enoughtaken

ThaiTanic wrote: »

Sweet Jesus Christ I've seen it all with McGrath now, If you go back to the last thread a couple of months ago where I said a few senior players weren't happy with McGrath it's all coming to a head now! Gavin O Brien (who's not one of them) walked off the panel along with the selector in the past few days!

As for the team he's just named? All I will say is I was wrong about Clare last week, but I will give anyone my I) house II) car iii) dog if waterford come within 6 points of Galway this weekend!

This will get embarrassing and I've €100 on Galway to win by 16 points or more at 20/1 (it's a long shot but massive value with joe canning back)

Where are the pro McGrath posters now? Can they justify this haha? #prayforwaterford

I won't embarrass you quoting some of your comments re Gavin.
I don't like to see a selector or player leave the set up. But these things happen.
I'm 110% behind Derek and the panel. If things go horribly wrong in the championship I will be one of the the first to come on here and say I was wrong.
As I previously stated we have contested the last 2 league finals ( winning one and should have Won both) Munster final ( ok not great ) and should have got to the all Ireland final last year. So for me I will proudly go to watch us play and hopefully lift Liam in September.

Gavlor

cul beag wrote: »

Haha oh god the laughing.

So you think we should go all out to beat Galway, all out again In the semi and then give the final a right lash?? Peaking in April hasn't served us well so far so why not take a different approach?

Winning the league isn't worth a toss, it's akin to the Sargent cup in club hurling. Passage have won it last year but nobody remembers and nobody cares.

It's all about the championship

Motivator

Gavlor wrote: »

So you think we should go all out to beat Galway, all out again In the semi and then give the final a right lash?? Peaking in April hasn't served us well so far so why not take a different approach?

Winning the league isn't worth a toss, it's akin to the Sargent cup in club hurling. Passage have won it last year but nobody remembers and nobody cares.

It's all about the championship

So you think it's ok to put out a weakened team in the 1/4 final of a national competition? Give me a break.

How many league titles have we got? I don't think a county with 3 league titles should be taking any game lightly.

mickmackmcgoo

We all have our opinions on whether going for the league is a good or a bad thing and time will tell . If we lose Sunday it's 11 weeks to the munster semi final . There are 2 rounds of the club championship pencilled In before then but it's a long time without a competitive game but the plus side is all injuries will be cleared up by June

Mulbert

cul beag wrote:

That happens when you get bored of winning it every year! We always have the Vauxhall Conference!

What's with the Vauxhall Conference reference all the time. I know what it was, but wtf are u on about?

mountgomery burns

Some embarrassing comments here. Not sure I'd make all the changes made but fellas are getting a chance in a knockout match, surely better experience for them then against a poor Dublin side? And if they'd have experimented against Dublin and lost and been in a relegation final, I'm sure the critics would not have had anything negative to say....no nothing at all....

Suddenly Gavin O Briens biggest critics are now his biggest fans too. Feel a bit sorry for him, thought he actually did ok against Tipp but then given the criticism management got for selecting him I'm not surprised he hasn't been too involved. Same thing happened with Jake Dillon who has barely seen the pitch since the Tipp game. What were those big plans McGrath had for Dillon by the way, Cul Beag?

Gavin O Briens biggest critics now his biggest sympathizers, mind bending.

Deise Gael

Mulbert wrote: »

What's with the Vauxhall Conference reference all the time. I know what it was, but wtf are u on about?

Derek gave a rare interview:) in the Examiner over the Christmas period where he equated Waterford's victory in last years's U21 All Ireland as being on the same level as winning the Vauxhall Conference in soccer.

As you can imagine it didn't sit well with many who were involved with the U21s

Happyilylost

I wouldn't know a lot about the way Waterford name teams but would this team not be taken with a pinch of salt like other teams? Most teams nowadays rarely start what's stated the few days before a game.

mountgomery burns

Happyilylost wrote: »

I wouldn't know a lot about the way Waterford name teams but would this team not be taken with a pinch of salt like other teams? Most teams nowadays rarely start what's stated the few days before a game.

The team named on Friday has started every game thus far without any changes. The names for the programme however is supplied on a Tuesday as per a regulation brought in by the GAA a year or two ago. And its a stupid rule, because teams aren't selected until later in the week and the management have up until 20 minutes before throw in to make any changes to the starting 15 they want from the 26 selected.

Theyll line out in different positions to whats been named but I think we could all tell you how exactly they will line out to start on Sunday.

cul beag

mountgomery burns wrote: »

Some embarrassing comments here. Not sure I'd make all the changes made but fellas are getting a chance in a knockout match, surely better experience for them then against a poor Dublin side? And if they'd have experimented against Dublin and lost and been in a relegation final, I'm sure the critics would not have had anything negative to say....no nothing at all....

Suddenly Gavin O Briens biggest critics are now his biggest fans too. Feel a bit sorry for him, thought he actually did ok against Tipp but then given the criticism management got for selecting him I'm not surprised he hasn't been too involved. Same thing happened with Jake Dillon who has barely seen the pitch since the Tipp game. What were those big plans McGrath had for Dillon by the way, Cul Beag?

Gavin O Briens biggest critics now his biggest sympathizers, mind bending.

Sorry I got it wrong about Jake.....Obviously even McGrath can't play him at fullback!!

cul beag

Gavlor wrote: »

So you think we should go all out to beat Galway, all out again In the semi and then give the final a right lash?? Peaking in April hasn't served us well so far so why not take a different approach?

Winning the league isn't worth a toss, it's akin to the Sargent cup in club hurling. Passage have won it last year but nobody remembers and nobody cares.

It's all about the championship

You're right it's all about championship and nothing less than an all Ireland title will suffice as we obviously have so many national league titles we don't need anymore so I'm guessing that seeing as the second best national title up for grabs is surplus to requirements then it's the Liam McCarthy and nothing less. No pressure then.Its great that we have become such a county that we can pick and choose.

cul beag

enoughtaken wrote: »

I won't embarrass you quoting some of your comments re Gavin.
I don't like to see a selector or player leave the set up. But these things happen.
I'm 110% behind Derek and the panel. If things go horribly wrong in the championship I will be one of the the first to come on here and say I was wrong.
As I previously stated we have contested the last 2 league finals ( winning one and should have Won both) Munster final ( ok not great ) and should have got to the all Ireland final last year. So for me I will proudly go to watch us play and hopefully lift Liam in September.

What bull. Bottom line is we DIDN'T win the second league title, we got an embarrassing hammering in the Munster final.We had 2 chances against KK and couldn't put them away. Those are the FACTS. Any full time manager has to live by his results and his success NOT moral victories.

PTH2009

It's going to be sum fun in here Sunday night

commonsense.

As an outsider looking in, I don't get that team selection.
If McGrath thinks there's nothing to lose in this game, why not pick something resembling your strongest 15 and maybe try a more expansive game plan.

debok

PTH2009 wrote: »

Guess I won't be heading to the semis finals on Easter Sunday but the job for this league campaign is done and this is bonus territory

It's time for the new guys to shine and show what there made of. Remember last year with a similar experimental side we drew with Galway

Can see Galway winning well but this match will not have a baring on the rest of the year. I hope this team puts in a huge performance Sunday[/

That's nearly a bit of positivity from you fair play . They will probably win now. 😀😀😀

robopaddy2

cul beag wrote: »

What bull. Bottom line is we DIDN'T win the second league title, we got an embarrassing hammering in the Munster final.We had 2 chances against KK and couldn't put them away. Those are the FACTS. Any full time manager has to live by his results and his success NOT moral victories.

Cheap shot, even by your standards. What he or any other intercounty manager does in their professional life bears no relevance to the argument. Plenty other managers in the past have been on career breaks, study breaks, even unemployed. Dosent mean because they are perceived to have more time on their hands that expectations should be higher

robopaddy2

Gavlor wrote: »

So you think we should go all out to beat Galway, all out again In the semi and then give the final a right lash?? Peaking in April hasn't served us well so far so why not take a different approach?

Winning the league isn't worth a toss, it's akin to the Sargent cup in club hurling. Passage have won it last year but nobody remembers and nobody cares.

It's all about the championship

Sorry, I don't buy it. KK have won more leagues than most under Brian Cody, Tipp the best side in the land at the moment are going strongly for it this year. No excuses from them about waiting to peak in the summer. Weve waited to peak plenty times in the past and that peak never came. No ones saying we go all out against Galway but we should at least be building up some sort of momentum towards the summer. No reason you cant do it without trying some of the younger lads getting game time too. Don't try and tell me we'd be better off going into championship going out tamely with a largely second string side on Sunday than having got to a league final or even semi final having had a decent cut off it.

Gavlor

Motivator wrote: »

So you think it's ok to put out a weakened team in the 1/4 final of a national competition? Give me a break.

How many league titles have we got? I don't think a county with 3 league titles should be taking any game lightly.

Yep, I'm fine with that. The league is a warm up for the championship and nothing else. Forget about the "national title", its bordering on irrelevant. the Waterford crystal is the only other Munster title we can win but nobody cares about that!!

Gavlor

robopaddy2 wrote: »

Sorry, I don't buy it. KK have won more leagues than most under Brian Cody, Tipp the best side in the land at the moment are going strongly for it this year. No excuses from them about waiting to peak in the summer. Weve waited to peak plenty times in the past and that peak never came. No ones saying we go all out against Galway but we should at least be building up some sort of momentum towards the summer. No reason you cant do it without trying some of the younger lads getting game time too. Don't try and tell me we'd be better off going into championship going out tamely with a largely second string side on Sunday than having got to a league final or even semi final having had a decent cut off it.

Kk at their peak and tipp every year have greater strength in dept than waterford have ever had. We know what the players are capable of on their day and all focus should be on the 5 or so championship games from here on in and not 3 league games

DiscoStew

robopaddy2 wrote: »

Sorry, I don't buy it. KK have won more leagues than most under Brian Cody, Tipp the best side in the land at the moment are going strongly for it this year. No excuses from them about waiting to peak in the summer. Weve waited to peak plenty times in the past and that peak never came. No ones saying we go all out against Galway but we should at least be building up some sort of momentum towards the summer. No reason you cant do it without trying some of the younger lads getting game time too. Don't try and tell me we'd be better off going into championship going out tamely with a largely second string side on Sunday than having got to a league final or even semi final having had a decent cut off it.

At what stage did Tipp exit the league last year?
I'm not saying it's a guarantee for success whatsoever but neither is targeting the league. While I wouldn't necessarily agree totally with that team, lads being thrown in at the deep end, I'm glad lads are at least getting some shot at it. I just hope we don't hear the usual line off McGrath after "we gave lads a go like the public were crying out for, maybe we haven't the strength in depth people think we do." It would have been much more beneficial to adopt Tipps approach to giving lads a go by having 10 or 11 experienced players around the newcomers, that would give them a better chance of succeeding.

That being said, we've gotten to the final of the last 2 leagues and won nothing come championship. At least we are considering something new, it may work in our favour, it may not. But come championship there can be no excuses now.

Now watch Galway do what only Galway could do and somehow contrive to lose the game Sunday, against all odds!! Might be wishful thinking on this occasion!

Diabhal Beag

DiscoStew wrote: »

Now watch Galway do what only Galway could do and somehow contrive to lose the game Sunday, against all odds!! Might be wishful thinking on this occasion!

Our fullback line is as poor as ever. High balls, low balls or just direct running and we've conceded goals to poor teams this year. We also have an increasingly toothless attack with starters like Whelan and Flynn having big declines and we only have an aerial threat depending on what Joe Cooney turns up. How ye are such underdogs for this I'll never know.

robopaddy2

DiscoStew wrote: »

At what stage did Tipp exit the league last year?
I'm not saying it's a guarantee for success whatsoever but neither is targeting the league. While I wouldn't necessarily agree totally with that team, lads being thrown in at the deep end, I'm glad lads are at least getting some shot at it. I just hope we don't hear the usual line off McGrath after "we gave lads a go like the public were crying out for, maybe we haven't the strength in depth people think we do." It would have been much more beneficial to adopt Tipps approach to giving lads a go by having 10 or 11 experienced players around the newcomers, that would give them a better chance of succeeding.

That being said, we've gotten to the final of the last 2 leagues and won nothing come championship. At least we are considering something new, it may work in our favour, it may not. But come championship there can be no excuses now.

Now watch Galway do what only Galway could do and somehow contrive to lose the game Sunday, against all odds!! Might be wishful thinking on this occasion!

This exactly is how you blood the fringe players. Not starting them altogether like 9 or 10 of them are on Sunday. You mightnd have to sacrifice the entire competition then. Yes Tipp did not win the league last year but they remain competitive and consistent and blood the young players in the right way. They'll be in great shape come championship again. With McGrath its almost like he's realised his mistake with Coughlan not blooding someone else in the position and he's panicking by giving them all a run all of a sudden

mountgomery burns

DJ Foran, Tommy Ryan and Kieran Bennett all big favourites on here. Now that the pressure off, being given a chance to prove themselves. Maybe it'll be too much, but then again these lads will be as up for it as any now getting their chance. And maybe somebody puts their hand up, its not like a Waterford crystal game where a good performance can be discredited by the competition very easily.

Who are the experienced players left off? Coughlan, D Fives, Barron, two Mahonys all injured, Aussie has a knock and Connors being given a bit more time off. Which ones of Jake Dillon, Stephen Daniels, Brian O Halloran would you like to see starting? No harm in the Brick getting a rest.

Deisegodeo

It seems clear that McGrath is not targeting winning the league this year, the aim of staying in Division 1 was achieved in Ennis last week. Fixing the club games for the weekend of the semi finals showed that the league was not a priority, so the team for Sunday shouldnt be a surprise. I'm sure they will be trying to win the game but winning the league is not top priority. I dont have a problem with that - I'd love to see us win another league but they are trying something different this year after going full out for the league the last 2 years. McGrath and Waterford will be judged on championship performances this summer and they appear to be focusing on this alone and building towards the summer. Thats fair enough in my book.

Hopefully some of the fringe players stand up and stake a genuine claim for the summer ahead. In this regard I'd be particularly interested to see how Kieran Bennett, Tommy Ryan and DJ Foran do, 3 players who could feature later in the year depending how injuries and form work out.