Waterford GAA Discussion Thread 3 ***Updated Mod Note Post 1***

redlead

PTH2009 wrote: »

Wexford away feck it could of been Kerry away.

You still would have been predicting a loss for Waterford

PTH2009

redlead wrote: »

You still would have been predicting a loss for Waterford

Wexford in there own patch won't be easy and will want to prove a point after there bad campaign.

Semi draw is

Kil/off vs cla/Tipp
Wat/wex vs dub/lim

redlead

I thought that it was a pretty positive performance from us considering that it was a largely second string side. Bennett was absolutely fantastic. Himself and Curran could really explode on to the scene this year. Tom Devine is much more effective out the field too so I was glad to see him play there.

It was great to see Mahony come on at the end too. It's been a long road back for him. Moran improved but still not setting the world on fire.

Alf Tupper

Great chance for us to at least make the final again.

We beat Wexford and then we have either Dublin or Limerick in the semi final.

The other side is much more difficult with Kilkenny v Tipp or Clare.

Who knows, we could have a Munster rehearsal against Clare in the final.

Dick phelan

Very pleased with today thank god we got the draw would have been very harsh to loose that after playing so well, Quite a few lads really impressed and McGrath has a bit of a headache to pick a starting 15 next time out, Thought the defense bar the goal was again top clas, Conor Gleeson had a great game but tbh the 6 backs all did really well, Shane Bennett was immense today looks a real star in the making, A world on Brian O'Hallaron thought he had a great game today, i'v seen him play numerous times for Waterford and i always felt he'd remain a fringe player and possibly loose his place on the panel at some stage,

today he was fantastic. hopefully today will be a big confidence boost to a few of the second string lads on the panel, even O'Brian at the end getting a fantastic point should really boost his confidence going forward. To win an AI or even a Munster you need a full panel of quality players, based on today i think there's quite a few lads who can come in and do a serious job for us.

Dick phelan

PTH2009 wrote: »

Wexford in there own patch won't be easy and will want to prove a point after there bad campaign.

Semi draw is

Kil/off vs cla/Tipp
Wat/wex vs dub/lim

And if we were playing Kerry you'd say "Kerry have nothing to loose their improving Waterford can't take them lightly" ect. Wexford look a very ordinary side and their setup is a bit of a mess atm, if we have any ambition at all we should have no fear of going to Wexford Park and winning, we've won in Thurles and Cork i see no reason why we shouldn't beat Wexford even if they are at home.

cul beag

Great performances all around today but none more so than Shane Bennett he was brilliant. Even though it was a great result I still don't see too many breaking into the first team but what it does do is show that he has options now if needed and he doesn't have to be as slow to make changes in future. The draw is very favourable and surely we must be looking at another league final now.

bruschi

Dick phelan wrote: »

And if we were playing Kerry you'd say "Kerry have nothing to loose their improving Waterford can't take them lightly" ect. Wexford look a very ordinary side and their setup is a bit of a mess atm, if we have any ambition at all we should have no fear of going to Wexford Park and winning, we've won in Thurles and Cork i see no reason why we shouldn't beat Wexford even if they are at home.

Wexford are utterly brutal at the moment and in complete disarray, so I wouldnt be too fearful of playing them, even if it is in Wexford Park. Offaly beat us by 8 there last week, so there would be no reason to expect Wexford to be up to much regardless of where it is. Barely scrapped a win today away to Laois, only our second win of the campaign, the other being Kerry. Offaly transpired to make an even bigger mess of things by losing at home Kerry and as a result Wexford needed that last gasp score to avoid relegation

cul beag

bruschi wrote: »

Wexford are utterly brutal at the moment and in complete disarray, so I wouldnt be too fearful of playing them, even if it is in Wexford Park. Offaly beat us by 8 there last week, so there would be no reason to expect Wexford to be up to much regardless of where it is. Barely scrapped a win today away to Laois, only our second win of the campaign, the other being Kerry. Offaly transpired to make an even bigger mess of things by losing at home Kerry and as a result Wexford needed that last gasp score to avoid relegation

It does look like Wexford are in disarray at the moment and that's not a thing that will be sorted by the time we travel to Wexford Park. Must be very frustrating as a supporter just as it must be being a Galway supporter. What must they be thinking coming to Walsh Park and not being able to beat a selection from our panel!

PTH2009

Wexford are due to play Carlow in the football at 1.30 on Sunday 3rd April in Wexford park. So will our match be on Sat 2nd April or will do they do a double header with the hurling on at 3.30 ???.

bruschi

PTH2009 wrote: »

Wexford are due to play Carlow in the football at 1.30 on Sunday 3rd April in Wexford park. So will our match be on Sat 2nd April or will do they do a double header with the hurling on at 3.30 ???.

expectation from this side is that it will be a double header.

carter10

bruschi wrote: »

Wexford are utterly brutal at the moment and in complete disarray, so I wouldnt be too fearful of playing them, even if it is in Wexford Park. Offaly beat us by 8 there last week, so there would be no reason to expect Wexford to be up to much regardless of where it is. Barely scrapped a win today away to Laois, only our second win of the campaign, the other being Kerry. Offaly transpired to make an even bigger mess of things by losing at home Kerry and as a result Wexford needed that last gasp score to avoid relegation

What's gone wrong with Wexford bruschi? They brought Clare to extra time in 2013 and were good value for victory ove us in 2014. Thought they'd push on from that

wats the craic

we had alot of injuries this league season and there is alot of hate towards liam dunne which is totally wrong . i do expect a improved preformance in two weeks but ye should win handy .

bruschi

carter10 wrote: »

What's gone wrong with Wexford bruschi? They brought Clare to extra time in 2013 and were good value for victory ove us in 2014. Thought they'd push on from that

plenty did and plenty expected us to kick on. but it never happened. The tactical awareness and management just seems below par. The same old faults keep occurring. There are some good players coming through, but they dont seem to be brought through seamlessly into the set up. It baffled me that a lot of the players playing U21 can play good creative and tactical hurling and then go out in senior and just play what I would call utterly dumb hurling. I think Dunne has stayed on too long. The fall from grace of last year was brutal and I think he has been found out. By all accounts, the players arent enamoured with him and as usual when a team is in a bad place, multiple rumours of discontent surface. Dunne doesnt help himself either. He has a ban on speaking with one of the local newspapers over critical analysis of one of his losses last year. And now there is a team ban on speaking with the local radio after a phone in discussion the Monday morning after the Limerick game. It does nothing to endear himself back into the hearts of the Wexford fans who are already pretty peed off with how things are going this year.

I'd also disagree with the above. There were some injuries to some key players, but nothing major that any team wouldnt have in any given season. The hate towards Dunne is unfortunate and I suppose I wouldnt call it hate either, it's far too strong a word. I'd say there is a huge amount of discontent and frustration and a general feeling that he isnt the man for the job. Its unfortunate, but very much warranted. you live and die by the results of your team and Wexfords results and more importantly performances have been shocking with no sign of any cohesion or team play evident.

decies

If they beat Wexford are they home or away in next round ??

Speak Now

decies wrote: »

If they beat Wexford are they home or away in next round ??

Double header in Thurles probably.

carter10

bruschi wrote: »

plenty did and plenty expected us to kick on. but it never happened. The tactical awareness and management just seems below par. The same old faults keep occurring. There are some good players coming through, but they dont seem to be brought through seamlessly into the set up. It baffled me that a lot of the players playing U21 can play good creative and tactical hurling and then go out in senior and just play what I would call utterly dumb hurling. I think Dunne has stayed on too long. The fall from grace of last year was brutal and I think he has been found out. By all accounts, the players arent enamoured with him and as usual when a team is in a bad place, multiple rumours of discontent surface. Dunne doesnt help himself either. He has a ban on speaking with one of the local newspapers over critical analysis of one of his losses last year. And now there is a team ban on speaking with the local radio after a phone in discussion the Monday morning after the Limerick game. It does nothing to endear himself back into the hearts of the Wexford fans who are already pretty peed off with how things are going this year.

I'd also disagree with the above. There were some injuries to some key players, but nothing major that any team wouldnt have in any given season. The hate towards Dunne is unfortunate and I suppose I wouldnt call it hate either, it's far too strong a word. I'd say there is a huge amount of discontent and frustration and a general feeling that he isnt the man for the job. Its unfortunate, but very much warranted. you live and die by the results of your team and Wexfords results and more importantly performances have been shocking with no sign of any cohesion or team play evident.

Didn't know there was anti Dunne sentiment, I remember going into Nolan Park in 14 and the Wexford lads coming in behind us had a life size cardboard cut out of Dunne. That day I was struck by the exuberance of the Wexford crowd as opposed to the doom and gloom surrounding our own.

thesultan

Could someone give the run down on the Waterford players today?

robopaddy2

I'll hold my hands up, I called it wrong here earlier I said Galway would win comfortably. Fair play to the new lads a few of them really put their hands up for a starting place the next day. Nice to finish off the group stage on a high and not that lacklustre performance from last week.
I would have taken this at the start of the league. Avoiding relegation was the big thing for me. And that's not being defeatist, in a very competitive Division 1A any team could go down. And looking at how awful 1B has been this year I think going straight back down there would have been a huge step backwards after coming up out of it last year. Limerick have been stuck down there with 6 or 7 years at this stage and just can't seem to get out of it and its done them no favours. Cork will be favourites to lose the relegation final but if we were in Galway's shoes I wouldn't be looking forward to playing Cork in a winner takes all survival game.
Wexford next, we went down there last year had a very good win and that was really the platform that set us up for the year. They'll be very much a wounded animal and it won't be as easy as some here suggest. But we should be able to take care of them, and with increased competition for places after yesterdays win I won't expect to see the kind of complacency we saw against Dublin.

Giveitfong

I still disagree with Derek McGrath’s decision to, in essence, clear the bench before the start of today’s game against Galway. However, fair play to the guys who were thrown in at the deep end – not only did they not sink, but in most cases they played brilliantly. Particular plaudits to the fullback line of Conor Gleeson, Shane McNulty and Shane Roche none of whom, to my knowledge, has played even a minute of competitive senior hurling for Waterford before. They were up against a Galway attack which tore much more experienced full back lines to shreds last year but every one of them turned in an outstanding performance.

Galway played a two-man interchanging full forward line (with Canning going in an out). Gleeson and Roche held the fort at the back while McNulty followed Cathal Mannion out the field and really kept him quiet until he notched two points late in the game when the less match-fit Waterford team began to tire a bit. I have been a great fan of McNulty since his minor days and believe he should be on the first team as a wing back with Kevin Moran moving to midfield.

Waterford had two other players (Ian O’Regan and Gavin O’Brien) who only made their first appearances of the year today and four others (Shane O’Sullivan, Brian O’Halloran, Colm Roche and Tommy Ryan) who have made only very brief appearances as substitutes. I was fearful of them taking a heavy beating from a Galway team requiring a big win to enable them to evade a relegation playoff. However, they really stood up to the plate.

Waterford were the better team in the first half but ended up behind by a point at half time (1-10 to 0-12) due to conceding a poor goal just before half time and messing up some good scoring chances. I thought that once Galway moved ahead they might pull away in the second half, but again it was Waterford who took the game to the opposition, building up a three point lead with Shane Bennett tearing the right side of their defence to pieces. However, they never managed to take the lead to four points and as the game entered the last ten minutes Galway greatly upped their game, bringing their greater match fitness to bear and finally moving into the lead with just a couple of minutes left.

However, Waterford never panicked, with Tadhg de Búrca providing great leadership at the back, and continued to play the ball around looking for the spare man. Gavin O’Brien saved the day with a massive point from his own half of the field and Waterford nearly snatched a deserved win when Shane Bennett’s long range shot (again after an excellent bout of passing) went inches on the wrong side of the post.

Austin Gleeson caught a lot of ball, but seemed determined to take on the entire Galway defence with solo runs and several times ran into cul-de-sacs. Tadhg de Búrca improved as the game went on and finished very strongly. Gavin O’Brien at left half back hit some poor clearances and made some mistakes but still put in a solid shift. Kevin Moran was much more effective than he was against Dublin, but I thought Shane O’Sullivan had little impact and should have been substituted long before he was eventually taken off.

Maurice Shanahan played at right half forward and worked hard but only managed one point from play. However, after missing his first free (there was an awkward wind blowing across the field) he was unerring thereafter with eight conversions for a total contribution of nine points. Shane Bennett was absolutely devastating at centre forward, scoring six great points, bringing a superb save from the Galway keeper (although he should still have beaten him), and unfortunately having two narrow misses late in the game.

Tom Devine started at left half forward and was much more effective than he was as a lone full forward last week. Waterford were having a lot of success early on targetting him from puckouts, but Galway then put extra bodies under the incoming ball and began to mop up. Devine moved to full forward in the second half but again made a useful contribution when brought out late in the game.

Brian O’Halloran had his best game in a Waterford jersey since the league game in Ennis two years ago, using his speed to good effect, hitting three points and earning at least two converted frees. Things have not gone well for him in recent times, so it was a delight to see him show what he can do today. Colm Roche made a fantastic catch to score a great point in the first minute, but the game passed him by thereafter and he was eventually replaced by Mikey Kearney in the second half. Kearney made his presence felt with two good points and was a little unlucky when his shot for goal virtually from the end line narrowly missed the target.

Starting at full forward, Tommy Ryan had little impact, apart from one good point, and was replaced by Jake Dillon towards the end. Another unexpected but very welcome substitute for Waterford was Pauric Mahony who replaced Shane O’Sullivan near the end. It was he who supplied the pass from which Gavin O’Brien shot the late equalising point.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and high-quality game of hurling. While the result didn’t matter a whole lot to Waterford, the quality and commitment of the Waterford fringe players was exhilarating and, indeed, some of them may not remain fringe players for long. It is reassuring to see that such high-quality backup to the first team is available, and hopefully the team management will make better use of these resources in future games.

PTH2009

First time I saw an indirect free in a hurling match. Very unusual, players didnt knw what to do

Giveitfong

PTH2009 wrote: »

First time I saw an indirect free in a hurling match. Very unusual, players didnt knw what to do

These have been in operation for several years now. Awarded when the referee stops play when someone gets injured. The team which had possession at the time gets the free but can't score direct. I wouldn't say the players didn't know what to do. The free was fairly close to the Galway goal and it was hard to find an unmarked player. Normally if these frees are farther out they are lobbed in. Eventually Maurice gave a short pass to Mikey Kearney who did very well to get to the end line where his shot went across the face of the goal and eventually out over the far sideline.

bruschi

PTH2009 wrote: »

First time I saw an indirect free in a hurling match. Very unusual, players didnt knw what to do

it happened in the Waterford Wexford game last year. Jack Guiney had a free on the 21 and played it sideways and the crowd not knowing what was going on went mental at him.

redlead

bruschi wrote: »

it happened in the Waterford Wexford game last year. Jack Guiney had a free on the 21 and played it sideways and the crowd not knowing what was going on went mental at him.

I have to admit I can't remember ever seeing one either but obviously have and just cursed the free taker for being an eejit haha

I always thought in those circumstances that the referee just threw the ball in which to be fair is what they nearly always do.

bruschi

redlead wrote: »

I have to admit I can't remember ever seeing one either but obviously have and just cursed the free taker for being an eejit haha

I always thought in those circumstances that the referee just threw the ball in which to be fair is what they nearly always do.

if a team is in clear possession when he blows it up they have to retain possession and are awarded a free. As you say, most refs forget that this is the rule and just throw it in.

PTH2009

3.30 on Sunday 3rd April in Wexford park

Deise_2012

How's Darragh Fives does anyone know?

Deise_2012

bruschi wrote: »

it happened in the Waterford Wexford game last year. Jack Guiney had a free on the 21 and played it sideways and the crowd not knowing what was going on went mental at him.

Why did Guiney leave the panel?

mountgomery burns

Deise_2012 wrote: »

Why did Guiney leave the panel?

Discipline, he was told to go.

DiscoStew

mountgomery burns wrote: »

Discipline, he was told to go.

Wasn't my understanding of it. I thought there was something about him being asked to play with an injury? I can't recall where I read or heard that now. Maybe one of the Wexford posters would offer a better insight.