Waterford GAA Thread - Mod note post #1

Full back but he came up the pitch a bit both times as there was space with Antrim down to 14.

Harry ruddle?

Jeez lads Antrim man here, your not giving us much credit. I thought our tackling of the man in possession was forcing erratic shots. It’s wasn’t a dirty game but the yellows and frees being dished out was ridiculous and ruined the game. Your bench especially Ozzy was the difference in the end. We played to many ball in the second half into one forward and prunty gobbled them up at will even hitting two points. Waterford definitely not at their best but we hurled pretty good for us as well.

Ye were good but Waterford had an extra man for most of the match and should have made that count.

How far away is Tadgh de Burca from returning, is it likely we'll see him in either of the last two league games?

He was warming up on the sidelines yesterday but was not on the subs

Davy said he and Bennett should play a part in both the last two games. I got the impression Austin may start both too. Darragh Lyons out for the rest of the league at least. No mention of Iarla Daly.

I'll guess Billy Nolan will start against Tipp and even though I thought he did well against Laois I'd imagine O Brien is ahead of him in the pecking order.

We've had little experimenting in our full back line. I can't think of any team who plays three up so Conor Gleeson and Prunty seem to be the two there with McNulty going with the withdrawn man. Conor Ryan has caught the eye too though.

Half back line is a puzzle as De Búrca and Daly have been out. Lyons is likely to play there even though he was excellent in midfield against Limerick last year. Jack Fagan is being played as a sweeper which I can't understand and would prefer any of the other three named with Jack playing as a conventional half back. Mark Fitzgerald has impressed too but may need someone else to be unavailable to get in.

Midfield is Jamie Barron plus one (or two) on the evidence so far. Cathrach Daly, Paddy Leavy and Darragh Lyons have all played some part in there but nobody has made a major claim yet. We could yet see one of the half back line or Jack Prendergast or Neil Montgomery redeployed from further up. Definitely a jersey up for grabs though.

Austin is most likely to be in the half forward line, aside from a spell further in against Laois. I'd prefer Bennett out here too. That leaves one more place for Jack Prendergast, Neil Montgomery, Patrick Curran or Jack Fagan depending on other roles.

I'd be amazed with anything other than Dessie and Kiely inside, though for puck outs we need to make more use of the latter.

As I see it there's at least 3 jerseys still up for grabs with two league games left.

Just for the laugh, I was looking at a possible starting 15 and it's actually not easy at all to pick. Do you go with tried and tested for championship or take a chance on youth / form at a lower level.

For me there are probably 10 sure starters (if fit) who I have made bold. The rest are up for grabs and we have options. . I think Aussie, Dessie, Kiely, Jack, Bennett are sure 5 x starters in the forwards. Possibly a young Fitzgerald may stake a claim over the coming games, else It's Curran/Fagan/Monty to fight that one out. Curran would be my pick if he rekindles his Liam Cahill form, where he turned into a powerhouse around the middle third and also picked off scores with confidence.

I also think a fit Darragh Lyons offers more than Leavy, although Leavy plays the game like a controlling soccer midfielder and it's very effective at controlling the pace of the game. He's possibly pioneering a new style of hurler but I would prefer the swashbuckling style myself. I think Barron and Lyons are a serious handful. They will dodge and weave through most teams and use their small size as a positive.

I know I'm probably forgetting someone obvious too so don't roast me :D It's not a bad team! I'll get slaughtered for McNulty probably but I think he's twice as good when out the field than he is in the corner. I think Fagan would be best served under our own puck outs and should contend for centre forward. Conor Gleeson may contend against Ryan but I just went with my gut that Ryan has it.

SOB

Iarlaith - Prunty -Ryan

McNulty - TDB - C Lyons

Barron - D Lyons

Aussie - Curran - Prendergast

Dessie - Kiely - Bennett

there's zero point to lining out a 15 like that. with the modern game you are generally looking at naming any 6 backs 2 midfielders and any 6 forwards. i gave up even buying programmes at games years ago because there irrelevant

Performance more important than the result for us on Saturday against Tipp

Tipp will be all out to prove a point and secure a place in the Semi finals

So far we're been very average in the campaign

Hopefully Waterford put in a huge performance on Sunday, their best ever, considering the game is on Saturday evening.

...

That they mean business

When I imagine PTH2009 at games, I see him in full Waterford gear - shorts, socks, jersey, blue and white helmet, and holding a hurley and ball. I loves me county tattoed across his arm.

I see Tipp are 8/13 and Waterford 13/8. I doubt Liam Cahill will want Davy and Waterford to beat him twice in the space of a month or so (didn't Waterford beat Tipp in Munster league?) Under the lights in Thurles I fancy Tipp to win this one.