Waterford GAA Thread - Mod note post #1

That will be an interesting one, recent years both can blow hot and cold on there day

Mount Sion will obviously be depending on Aussie

De La Salle would be very nervous if they were in a relagation playoff. Weren't they in one a couple of seasons ago ?

a lot of people talking about the 3-10 from frees like it’s a bad thing. What would be said if he was missing them? Serious scoring machine whether it’s from frees or placed balls it all counts the guy is a class above at that level, so don’t tell me he’s still not well up to it at intercounty.

I think I pretty much said all of which you said in my post, so not sure why you have quoted me?

I would be less sure about his impact at county level now. He was given numerous chances at that level (while playing at a similar level to last weekend with Lismore) down through the years. Bar 2015 & to a lesser extent 2017, it didn’t really work out for him. Discipline seemed to be an issue at various stages & I don’t think he would fit in with the current set up too well.

What is the capacity due to covid for the MS v DLS match in Walsh Park tomorrow?

Should be an absolute cracker of a game

Yeah reckon skin and hair will be flying

The format is a little odd, Dungarvan winning last weekend could end up been knocked out on scoring difference if DLS win tomorrow and then Mount Sion beat Dungarvan

Other games this weekend

Ballysaggert vs Tallow- Sat 4th Sep Fraher Field 19.30pm

Ballygunner vs Abbeyside- Sun 5th Sep Walsh Park 13.30pm

Clonea vs Roanmore- Sun 5th Sep Walsh Park 15.45pm

Lismore vs Fourmilewater- Sat 5th Sep Fraher Field 18.00pm

The main talking point from last weekend’s first round club championship game was Maurice Shanahan’s haul of 4-13 for Lismore against Tallow. It is worth remembering that, in the corresponding game last year against Fourmilewater, Maurice hit 2-17 (1-3 from play), with many of the converted frees coming from fouls on himself (as was the case last weekend).

Some posters here have stated that Maurice was never able to reproduce his club form consistently in the county jersey, and that was why he only had a marginal role during Derek McGrath’s reign. However, you could say the same about Stephen Bennett and Patrick Curran who, like Maurice, had their self-confidence reduced to shreds by McGrath who had no place for out-and-out strikers in his game plan. Thankfully, Bennett and Curran appear to have made a full recovery under Liam Cahill.

I reckon that Maurice’s exclusion from the county panel has nothing to do with his hurling ability but, while it is a pity to see such a talent being sidelined, one must respect Liam Cahill’s judgement on this.

Tallow, who hurled a lot better than last year, were well in this game in the first half, but a series of bad wides early in the second half, followed by the dismissal of Ian Beecher, their best player, spelled curtains for their chances. Cárthach Daly was at full back for Lismore in place of the suspended David Prendergast and didn’t get much to do, but it was good to see his brother Iarlaith back, and playing well, at centre back. I was impressed by Oisín O’Gorman, who has filled out considerably since last year and was particularly good in the air (a very useful skill in intercounty hurling). Ryan Gray also had some good moments (especially in the first half) while Thomas Ryan gave an exhibition of free-taking.

The game of the weekend was that between Fourmilewater and Ballysaggart, with the latter missing out on a great chance to get their first win in senior championship hurling. FMW dominated the early exchanges, with Aaron Ryan adding to the good impression he made last year with unerring freetaking and three points from play. However, as the game progressed, Ballysaggart came more into it, but poor shooting (nine first-half wide) left them two points down (0-12 to 0-10) at the interval.

Ballysaggart dominated the third quarter, playing some very good hurling and showing a major improvement on 2020, their first year at the senior grade. However, poor shooting continued to haunt them, and it was ironic that the goal which put them into the lead in the 41st minute came from a shot for a point which came back off the upright to Chris O’Gorman, who fired home.

Ballysaggart had a great chance to put the game to bed in the 58th minute but failed to find the net with two shots from close range. The drama then switched to the other end where the Ballysaggart goalkeeper made two superb saves in quick succession before Dylan Guiry fired home at the third attempt to put FMW back in the lead.

This set the scene for an exciting finish as Ballysaggart fought desperately to retrieve the game, but FMW by then had greatly upped their game, and they saw out the ten minutes of added time (due to a series of injuries) to forge a scarcely-deserved victory. While FMW did hit a lot of poor wides in the second half, Ballysaggart’s total of 15 wides was ultimately the deciding factor here, with two superb late points from play and a marvellous long distance free by Aaron Ryan also proving crucial.

Dungarvan are the ultimate hot-and-cold club in Waterford hurling, and they chose last Sunday to have one of their better days to get their first ever championship win over De La Salle. Their enormous work rate meant that DLS – much stronger on paper – never managed to get a sustained foothold in the game, with Patrick Curran (1-12, 0-4 from play) providing the cutting edge for the Blues.

I didn’t see the Passage/Roanmore game, but it was interesting that Passage’s fine young prospect, Mark Fitzgerald, played at corner forward here and notched 2-3 from play. Another breakthrough player from last year, Mikey Cummins, hit 1-6 (1-2 from play).

I also noted that Darragh Fives turned out at centre forward for Tourin last weekend with his brother Gavin (another good prospect) at centre back.

Ballysaggart v Tallow is being streamed free on this link https://t.co/kYYvkWWcxu?amp=1

De la Salle were very poor and hard to see what way they were trying to play. You'd imagine they'll get it together before the relegation play off but it'll be a nervous few weeks waiting for the game.

Sion really drove on in the last 20 minutes. I thought Owen Whelan, Stephen Roche and Luke O'Brien were exceptional. Iggy pulled off two fantastic saves and Aussie hit two unreal sidelines over the bar.

All the same it would take a big improvement from Sion to trouble Ballygunner but ya never know.

Abbeyside Vs Ballygunner will be interesting tomorrow. Abbeyside are a big physical side who have plenty of hurling too but you wonder will the focus on the football final a few weeks ago have blunted their hurling a bit.

Unbelievable match in fraher field. Sickener for ballysaggart.

Two weeks in a row they've been caught with late goals, they'll be absolutely gutted.

Shane Bennett's goal was unbelievable!

It's on beo sport website.

Who said anything about bursting footballs?

I'd imagine the team who finishes 3rd in grp A (4 team group) will stay up and not be involved in the relegation playoffs ?

DLS finished 3rd in Grp C

In Grp D Roanmore could be in the relegation playoffs of they lose to Clonea today

Grp B could possibly be a winner takes all game next week between Abbeyside and Ballyduff Upper. Winner to QFs, loser to relegation playoffs