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

robopaddy2

O'Regan has surely given McGrath something to ponder regarding number one jersey. Regarding fullback I think Shane Fives should have been in there with a couple of years. But Coughhlan is McGraths man and that aint gonna change. Bit concerned that they haven't given too many others a chance in the full backline, Conor Gleeson, Shane McNulty, Shane Roche and Darragh Lyons can all play there. I still believe full back is too important a position to have someone there who just fills the gap, like Coughlan does. Look at Cody in KK, he has moved his best half backs in there, Padraig Walsh, after the issues he had last year. He also moved some big names back there in the past, like JJ Delaney and Brian Hogan, after Noel Hickey retired. He understands the importance of a strong full back. Similarly Tipp with Padraic Maher a few years back. We should be prepared to move TDB or Darragh Fives back there if we continue to have issues.

ThaiTanic

Lads does anyone know much about our current injury situation?

Darragh Fives,
Stephen O'Keefe,
Micheal Harney,
Philip Mahony.

Is there anyone else to add to this list or is that it? Also does anyone have any updates on the lads mentioned above?

Deise Gael

robopaddy2 wrote: »

O'Regan has surely given McGrath something to ponder regarding number one jersey. Regarding fullback I think Shane Fives should have been in there with a couple of years. But Coughhlan is McGraths man and that aint gonna change. Bit concerned that they haven't given too many others a chance in the full backline, Conor Gleeson, Shane McNulty, Shane Roche and Darragh Lyons can all play there. I still believe full back is too important a position to have someone there who just fills the gap, like Coughlan does.

You're some man!!

I mentioned Shane Roche here about six weeks ago as being on the panel for about four years without getting a decent chance and that he must be pretty p*ssed off when Stephen Daniels was parachuted back on to the team and you said he had got plenty of chances but hadn't shown himself to be up to the mark.

Now you are mentioning him as not getting a chance.

Which is it?

Is it horses for courses when you want to make a point against a lad getting a chance to make a point in favour of Derek McGrath or are you talking through your hoop?

3ships

Are Shane Roche and Keiran Bennett on the panel. Thought they were supposed to be next in line for for the full back slot. No sign of them yet you have Shane McNulty playing there in challenges. I think we are sleepwalking into trouble here. What about Shane Fives there next and Conor Gleeson in the corner. Let TdeB in there week after and big Austin CB. We might need these options later. Dara Fives too injury prone it seems for any central position but still think he would be the best man for Seamus Callinan

Deskjockey

Is Stephen okeeffe injured? What's wrong with him?

3ships

Also what about Stephen 'goals' Bennett outgoaling the whole division over the weekend without even a goal chance created. He just attracts goals. The only thing is if he is FF where does that leave Maurice.

robopaddy2

Deise Gael wrote: »

You're some man!!

I mentioned Shane Roche here about six weeks ago as being on the panel for about four years without getting a decent chance and that he must be pretty p*ssed off when Stephen Daniels was parachuted back on to the team and you said he had got plenty of chances but hadn't shown himself to be up to the mark.

Now you are mentioning him as not getting a chance.

Which is it?

Is it horses for courses when you want to make a point against a lad getting a chance to make a point in favour of Derek McGrath or are you talking through your hoop?

Wow struck a chord did it? God forbid someone has a change of opinion on something as opposed to having the same tunnel vision view all the time which seems to be the norm on here. I haven't read back on my post but I'm pretty sure I said the only place where Roche could realistically get into the team would be as a corner back. You were talking about him instead of Daniels at half back but its not his position, and given there are plenty options in the half backline already anyway. Is he a better option than Daniels for wing back? I don't think so.
I mentioned him as a number of possible options in the full back line in my post above, and someone has since mentioned Kieran Bennett, who I forgot about aswell. If I was a 'pro-Derek' man I wouldn't be calling for Coughlan and Connors to be dropped the next day now would I? Having watched the game the other night Id like to look at some other options in the FB line. Preferably Conor Gleeson, I think he's actually a better option than Noelie at the moment.

crottys lake

ThaiTanic wrote: »

I didnt even go to DLS you tit. I for one wont be suprised if Ger Cunningham targets Daniels and Dublin run us close. Dublin +3 with the bookmakers looks a good bet. Hope im wrong

Wrong as usual

crottys lake

Was at the game last night but disappointed that more of us did not turn up. Delighted with the performance.

Barry Coughlan, as usual, had a fine game, surely one of the best full backs in the country. Shane Fives delivered too. Our half back line of Gleeson, Tadgh[ shipped a few scores] and Daniels were well up to scratch. There are a few knockers around for the latter but they really should attend the games and then put their thoughts on paper after considered analysis.

It is about time Jamie had a less than average day. He was suffering from an illness. In the heat of the battle come this Summer he will not be found wanting, or Moran for that matter.

Stephen Bennett was nothing more than I expected. He is pure class. Also, contrary to what some posters put up here Waterford had at least two up in the full forward line most of the time.

I would further venture to suggest that we were not ''over busy'' in this game and won with a comfortable amount in hand. Derek is playing the ''long game'' this year and while we should progress to qualify in this league I feel we will exit at the first available opportunity. That suits me just fine. It is all about the Munster semi final, nothing else at the moment.

PTH2009

crottys lake wrote: »

Was at the game last night but disappointed that more of us did not turn up. Delighted with the performance.

Barry Coughlan, as usual, had a fine game, surely one of the best full backs in the country. Shane Fives delivered too. Our half back line of Gleeson, Tadgh[ shipped a few scores] and Daniels were well up to scratch. There are a few knockers around for the latter but they really should attend the games and then put their thoughts on paper after considered analysis.

It is about time Jamie had a less than average day. He was suffering from an illness. In the heat of the battle come this Summer he will not be found wanting, or Moran for that matter.

Stephen Bennett was nothing more than I expected. He is pure class. Also, contrary to what some posters put up here Waterford had at least two up in the full forward line most of the time.

I would further venture to suggest that we were not ''over busy'' in this game and won with a comfortable amount in hand. Derek is playing the ''long game'' this year and while we should progress to qualify in this league I feel we will exit at the first available opportunity. That suits me just fine. It is all about the Munster semi final, nothing else at the moment.

In the QFs I don't think we would beat Galway dis time round. Wexford and Limerick would fancy there chances against us but have too face us in Walsh Park where we have to travel too Salthill

Would love to reach the league semi finals and get a day out in a double header in Thurles but the team and management seem to be rather Meh about this league and would prob rather be out of it . Imo we could do with the extra games as we're not out in the championship til the 18th June (if we lose on the 2nd April we will have to wait 11 weeks for our next competitive game, and add to the fact Tipp or Cork will have had a championship game 3 weeks earlier)

I wonder would mcgrath like a league semi final/final vs Tipperary ?? The last 2 years we have faced our championship opponents in the league deciders

mountgomery burns

He made a mistake for the goal, after the ball went over Coughlans head, but I'm a bit surprised at the criticism Noel Connors is getting? Thought he was good again, and has been the most consistent player to date. People seem to be calling him slow because he is broad, I don't see a lack of pace in him at all.

Eamon Dillon scored 4 points and was operating at center forward at the start. He is a very tough lad to handle but it was concerning.

deiseach

If we take some of the posters on here at face value (which I don't, but that's another day's work), we're a miserable shower of hoors.

blueflame

I was at the game, and have not had a chance to review the full recording of it at this stage, but from what I saw, while we did have at least two in the full forward line on a number of occasions, we still had long periods of the game when we barely had a player inside the opposing 45 meter line. This was particularly noticeable in the last 5 - 10 minutes when once again we invited Dublin onto us while we were defending a four point lead (2 scores). During that period Aussie at least twice cleared balls on our own endline and if we adopt this tactic against better opposition we are in trouble. By contrast you looked at Tipp and KK and both of them got into winning positions and drove on to the final whistle.

Generally i thought we looked very sluggish, particularly in the first half, i thought we had no shape whatsoever, apart from our full back line it was hard to tell where anyone was playing. Despite our massed defence, Dublin forwards were finding acres of space around our half back line and this is very worrying. Thought our full back line were solid enough with Shane Fives in particular getting on a lot of ball. Don't feel the criticism of Noelie Connors is justified, a mistake from the goal but it was coming down out of the lights and i think he lost it, but mistakes happen when you get bodies in competing around the goal hence the need to reduce the amount of deliveries we allow in from out the field. Thought Coughlan did alright too.

We are going to have to address the issue of DeBurca sitting deep, Dillon just stayed off him in space and picked off points from out the field - this happened regularly with Brick when he was centre back on Noel McGrath - this needs to be dealt with.

Stephen Bennett got two real poachers goals and in particular on the second one showed great composure in literally flicking the ball past the defenders into an empty net rather that trying to blast it and risk getting blocked down or hooked. Outside of this showed class in scoring two points and seting up two other scores. We need to keep this guy fit, on the field and as close to the opposition goals as often as possible. Shane struggled a bit again but was really unfortunate to get dragged down twice when bearing down on goal. Worked really hard. Paddy Curran's form is a bit worrying but we forget just how young this lad is and he is pure class, he will come good again, might just need a break for a few games.

Still very worried about our tactics, I think we are way overthinking and over complicating things and changing systems every few minutes is actually confusing us rather that confusing the opposition. If we had not gotten the fortunate breaks for the goals and the Dublin free taker didn't have a mare the result could have been a whole lot different and relegation a real threat.

we need to up the ante big time against Cork next day.

tomwaterford

deiseach wrote: »

If we take some of the posters on here at face value (which I don't, but that's another day's work), we're a miserable shower of hoors.

Tbf that would be a reasonable assessment of the populace of waterford city at times


The most downbeat,cynical bunch by and large you'll encounter


(But I do find cynicism funny)

Jjjjjjjbarry

Good to get a win in Croker anyway. Solid enough second half performance once we got the second goal. Stephen Bennett just brilliant. We need more contribution up front though. Can't be depending on only only lad to win it every day. As good as the Brick is, he won't get us scores so we really need lads who can pick off pints better and reward his hard work.

What's the story with Maurice, is he not fully fit? Barely got a look in last year coming off his best ever year the one before.

PTH2009

as crazy as it sounds finishing 4th could be better than 3rd/2nd as we could possibly face Wexford in walsh park in the QF. 2nd/3rd will mean a QF against one of Galway or Limerick. I dont think we will get top spot in 1A with an easy QF against Kerry or Laois to follow. We could be in a spot of bother if we lose to Cork and Clare and other results dont go our way it could be a Relagation playoff we play in april instead ?

Can see us struggling against Cork next sunday as Mcgrath dont seem too give a toss about this league (he sits down for the most of the matches and gets to do the line work). Hes secretly trying to follow Tipps model last year where they put in a half arsed effort in the league and went out at the QF stage but done enough too retain 1A status and then came of age in the Championship. imo I think its a bit disrespectful for the fans who are being deined days out to Semi finals/final etc cause we dont want to go for the league. We should give 100% passion and effort for all League and Championship games

Gavlor

PTH2009 wrote: »

as crazy as it sounds finishing 4th could be better than 3rd/2nd as we could possibly face Wexford in walsh park in the QF. 2nd/3rd will mean a QF against one of Galway or Limerick. I dont think we will get top spot in 1A with an easy QF against Kerry or Laois to follow. We could be in a spot of bother if we lose to Cork and Clare and other results dont go our way it could be a Relagation playoff we play in april instead ?

Can see us struggling against Cork next sunday as Mcgrath dont seem too give a toss about this league (he sits down for the most of the matches and gets to do the line work). Hes secretly trying to follow Tipps model last year where they put in a half arsed effort in the league and went out at the QF stage but done enough too retain 1A status and then came of age in the Championship. imo I think its a bit disrespectful for the fans who are being deined days out to Semi finals/final etc cause we dont want to go for the league. We should give 100% passion and effort for all League and Championship games

Is there ever a game that you don't foresee Waterford struggling in??!

I'm not arsed about the league, I'd rather play to a higher lever throughout the summer than try peak in march and again in late August as per the last two seasons.

Teebor15

PTH2009 wrote: »

Can see us struggling against Cork next sunday as Mcgrath dont seem too give a toss about this league (he sits down for the most of the matches and gets to do the line work). Hes secretly trying to follow Tipps model last year where they put in a half arsed effort in the league and went out at the QF stage but done enough too retain 1A status and then came of age in the Championship. imo I think its a bit disrespectful for the fans who are being deined days out to Semi finals/final etc cause we dont want to go for the league. We should give 100% passion and effort for all League and Championship games

So you think we should peak for every game...jaysus..you're hard work!

enoughtaken

PTH2009 wrote: »

as crazy as it sounds finishing 4th could be better than 3rd/2nd as we could possibly face Wexford in walsh park in the QF. 2nd/3rd will mean a QF against one of Galway or Limerick. I dont think we will get top spot in 1A with an easy QF against Kerry or Laois to follow. We could be in a spot of bother if we lose to Cork and Clare and other results dont go our way it could be a Relagation playoff we play in april instead ?

Can see us struggling against Cork next sunday as Mcgrath dont seem too give a toss about this league (he sits down for the most of the matches and gets to do the line work). Hes secretly trying to follow Tipps model last year where they put in a half arsed effort in the league and went out at the QF stage but done enough too retain 1A status and then came of age in the Championship. imo I think its a bit disrespectful for the fans who are being deined days out to Semi finals/final etc cause we dont want to go for the league. We should give 100% passion and effort for all League and Championship games

PTH. I enjoy your contribution to this board. I should have actually made a plan to meet u for a pint (or coffee) before match last saturday. We were league champions in 15, lost to a replay 16. On a different board here you have predicted that kilkenny would beat us by 5 pts, Tipp by 5 pts, Dublin by 2 and now a draw with cork in this years league. I know you always Predict the defeats with Waterford hurlers. But at this stage show some believe in this team. We will beat cork well next weekend. I see us going out at QF stage and see us very strong in championship.

PTH2009

[quote="enoughtaken;102835122"We will beat cork well next weekend. I see us going out at QF stage and see us very strong in championship.[/quote]

Hopefully but Cork can be so hot and cold same as us. There's an 11 week gap between the league QF and our Munster championship game so a semi final on Easter Sunday in the league would be good to break it up a bit and give us another game.

DiscoStew

PTH2009 wrote: »

Hopefully but Cork can be so hot and cold same as us. There's an 11 week gap between the league QF and our Munster championship game so a semi final on Easter Sunday in the league would be good to break it up a bit and give us another game.

Given that there's 2 rounds of club championship provisionally fixed for the weekends of the 16th and 23rd of April I couldn't see us going too hard to make a semi final. No doubt these club fixtures were made in consultation with management given that they've been brought forward by 2 / 3 weeks this year on the proviso that we don't make league semis.
That will allow management around 2 months with the players after club games to get ready for the Munster semi final.

PTH2009

Our under 21 footballers will play the winners of tomorrow's nights Qf between Clare and Kerry in the Munster semi final between on weds 15th March in Fraher Field

Any word if our lads are any good ??

danganabu

PTH2009 wrote: »

Our under 21 footballers will play the winners of tomorrow's nights Qf between Clare and Kerry in the Munster semi final between on weds 15th March in Fraher Field

Any word if our lads are any good ??

Should be decent enough, the minor team of 3 years ago was very competitive and gave Cork a bit of a scare iirc. Kerry probably favourites for the AI though.

letowski

PTH2009 wrote: »

as crazy as it sounds finishing 4th could be better than 3rd/2nd as we could possibly face Wexford in walsh park in the QF. 2nd/3rd will mean a QF against one of Galway or Limerick. I dont think we will get top spot in 1A with an easy QF against Kerry or Laois to follow. We could be in a spot of bother if we lose to Cork and Clare and other results dont go our way it could be a Relagation playoff we play in april instead ?

Can see us struggling against Cork next sunday as Mcgrath dont seem too give a toss about this league (he sits down for the most of the matches and gets to do the line work). Hes secretly trying to follow Tipps model last year where they put in a half arsed effort in the league and went out at the QF stage but done enough too retain 1A status and then came of age in the Championship. imo I think its a bit disrespectful for the fans who are being deined days out to Semi finals/final etc cause we dont want to go for the league. We should give 100% passion and effort for all League and Championship games

I would have thought the exact opposite. He put out a near full strength team last weekend. Waterford have made the last two final also.

PTH2009

letowski wrote: »

I would have thought the exact opposite. He put out a near full strength team last weekend. Waterford have made the last two final also.

reckon he put out a strong team to bury the Croke Park hoodoo which we did thankfully

With the Club Championships scheuduled the same weekends as the NHL semis and final, for the sake of the club players/county board it would be almost better if we were in a relagation playoff as we will deff be done (win/lose) on April 2nd. We could scrap past Galway or Limerick in the QF and end up in the semi finals messing up the club fixtures. We cant take any gambles and must beat Cork and avoid the relagation playoff. This weekend if we draw and Kilkenny and Dublin lose than its deff going to be either Kilkenny or Dublin in the relagation playoff (as both will be on 2 points going into round 5)

mountgomery burns

letowski wrote: »

I would have thought the exact opposite. He put out a near full strength team last weekend. Waterford have made the last two final also.

I think getting the win on sunday was important to avoid relegation but Definitely don't think they are taking the league as seriously as before. Not to say they don't want to win every game they play but there is a longer term focus this year that hasn't been there the last two years.

PTH2009

mountgomery burns wrote: »

I think getting the win on sunday was important to avoid relegation but Definitely don't think they are taking the league as seriously as before. Not to say they don't want to win every game they play but there is a longer term focus this year that hasn't been there the last two years.

A win on sunday will mean we can play an experimental team in Ennis on the last day as we could be only playing for a 2nd/3rd positional finish. We dont want to be travelling to Ennis looking for a win as its a tough place to go

Dick phelan

Agree with others as long as we don't get relegated i don't care about the League this year, yes it would be nice to win it of course and if we get to a Semi or a Final i'll care. We really should beat Cork especially at home win that game and we're safe from relegation then he can use the Clare game to give some of the fringe players a run out.

robopaddy2

PTH2009 wrote: »

reckon he put out a strong team to bury the Croke Park hoodoo which we did thankfully

With the Club Championships scheuduled the same weekends as the NHL semis and final, for the sake of the club players/county board it would be almost better if we were in a relagation playoff as we will deff be done (win/lose) on April 2nd. We could scrap past Galway or Limerick in the QF and end up in the semi finals messing up the club fixtures. We cant take any gambles and must beat Cork and avoid the relagation playoff. This weekend if we draw and Kilkenny and Dublin lose than its deff going to be either Kilkenny or Dublin in the relagation playoff (as both will be on 2 points going into round 5)

There was no hoodoos buried on Saturday night I can tell you, We beat a fairly poor Dublin side, lets not kid ourselves, albeit an important win. He's been putting out a reasonably strong team for every game anyway.
Beat KK or Tipp there in August or September the only hoodoo I'm interested in

Fred C Dobbs

Waterford match - deferred coverage on TG4 - for those who can't make it to Walsh Park (Clare / Dublin is the live game).