Waterford GAA Discussion Thread 2011-2012

Haven't heard much about the minors bar the few challenge games I saw them in recently. Team should be similar to that which beat Cork in a challenge two weeks ago. Eoin Kearns, Tadgh Burke, Michael Harney, Tom Devine, Shane McNulty, Kieran Bennett, Stephen Bennett and Cathal Curran will likely all start. With Colin Dunford out, I'd say that will mean a start for Adam O'Sullivan. Good team with plenty of potential.
Clare are meant to be without their best player Jamie Shanahan who has been injured the last while with a shoulder injury I believe so that would be a big blow to them. Looking forward to next Weds night, should be a good game.

Mountainlad wrote: »

If they win they will play Tipp in a semi final. If they lose they will have to beat Limerick and Cork, depending on how their game goes it could be either or first.

Yeah that's it. Win or lose, it looks to be a tough path to the final and what makes it harder is that they'll have all away games if they meet either Limerick, Cork or Tipp (and obv Clare also), as we had home advantage the last time we played all them. Would have good belief in this team though and give them every chance.

calvin_zola wrote: »

Roll call for the minor game on Weds -
Any of ye travelling? was thinking about it, but might be a bit far this time...:(

Yeah, I'll prob head up. Throw in at 7. Haven't a clue of Ennis, was never up there before.

Only one way to go and thats through the front door! These lads need a win against Clare to bury a few demons over the last few years

True, we owe them one or two at this stage. The Clare folk reckon this years team isn't as good as the the previous two years. I'd be quietly confident we can beat them.

zol 2 wrote: »

Hi all im new to the message boards and am Waterford true and true!
Just in relation to this year's minor team i think"cakeman"has the position of goalie mixed up.It's Seanie Barry from Lismore who is playing there in all the challenge games and is actually capt of the team for the year. And just to sort out the Ray Barry mix up well he is Seanie's brother and is on the u21 panel this year.

Ah my mistake, I had thought that was Eoin Kearns up to now, nevermind!
Barry is an excellent keeper and has been solid out in the challenge games.
Welcome to the thread, good to see more Deise supporters on here!

Interesting. How would you say we compare to the last few years? Weve been consistently strong the last 3 years Id like to think we can keep the conveyor belt rolling rather than just be a flash in the pan

I think the team is as good as the last few years but I suppose the acid test of championship matches will give us a clearer picture of just how good they are. Would like to think that with the CnaD Harty winning side backboning the team there's plenty of quality in it.
That's the hope anyway to keep the conveyor belt rolling. To be fair the structures have improved drastically in the last few years underage with plenty of fine players filtering through. I don't think this is just a flash in the pan, as much hard work has gone into developing those underage structures and what we're seeing now is the fruit from it.

Cheers cakeman for the welcome. As for this year's minors i agree with your last post,they potentially are a good side but they will be up against it in Ennis as it's as much a fortress for Clare as Walsh Park is for us. Colin Dunford will be a big loss in midfield and there are serious doubts over another one or two so it will be a tough ask.But here's hoping they pull it off. We could have a situation where we could have 3 brothers playing for us(Kieran,Stephen and Shane Bennett)i'd ask the question to the stats people out there has this every been done at minor level before?

Sad to hear he will be out for club and county for the foreseeable future. It must surely make our Munster championship game against Limerick all the more difficult now. Abbeyside/Ballinacourty will miss him also with club championship games coming up thick and fast in both codes.

PTH2009 wrote: »

Any reports on the Waterford/Offaly challenge game that was suppose to be played the weekend.

Surly we must have more games coming up before June 17th. Hard challenges against the likes of Cork or Galway would be good prep. Clare will probly play most of the country before the championship lol

Didn't hear anything else on it myself, it may have been called off as players were away playing club football and some injuries too-apparently only 12 at training one night last week because of these.
Think Clare have a challenge v Dublin soon.

Mentioned on radio that the minors to meet tonight with a few undergoing fitness tests ahead of Weds. Presume the team will be named also.

Seanie Barry Lismore (Capt)
Kieran Bennett Lismore
Tadgh De Burcha Clashmore
Shane Bennett Lismore
Kieran Power Killrosanty
Shane Mc Nulty De La Salle
Tom Devine St Mary's
Conor Sheehan Ballygunner
Cian Leamy Ballyduff Upper
DJ Foran Portlaw
Michael Harney Bunmahon
Adam O Sullivan De La Salle
Cathal Curran Dungarvan
Darragh Flynn Erins Own
Stephen Bennett Lismore

Good team, happy with that. Cathal Curran and Stephen Bennett well capable of racking up some scores, with Darragh Flynn good from frees.
Good half back line there too, Tadgh Burke also a solid full back option.
Would have been nice if Colin Dunford was fit but I think the lads are good enough to do the job.

It happened in general play with only a few minutes left i heard.

HillFarmer wrote: »

15 year old corner back. Is that dodgy.?
How good is Shane Bennet?

Seems very dodgy especially playing in the backs where a player needs a bit of strength to win a 50:50 ball. Hard to know how good a player is at that age, sure this evening will be a good test.