Waterford GAA Thread - Mod note post #1

Giveitfong · 17-02-2023 7:56pm

University of Limerick 0-19 SETU Waterford 0-16

SETU Waterford missed out on a great opportunity to make the Fitzgibbon Cup final last evening. Although at times, and particularly in the second half, UL’s greater physicality and experience allowed them to look the better side, SETU definitely had the chances to secure a famous victory here. Dean Mason’s double save early in the second half and Billy Nolan’s stopped last-ditch 20-metre free were key moments, but another crucial feature was Reuben Halloran’s three (or was it four) missed second half frees, whereas UL’s Gearóid O’Connor missed none (that I remember) of the eleven frees he took from all over the pitch. Waterford also missed a couple of easy enough chances late in the game while twice Paul Cody got into good scoring positions but failed to get a shot off.

Nevertheless, there were many positives to be taken from this game. The first is that a SETU team dominated by Waterford players was so competitive against such a strong UL side with up to nine established intercounty players. And once again Pádraig Fitzgerald showed what a good score-taker he is. Like Dessie Hutchinson, he is a player who, once he gets the ball into his hand, you can almost expect a score to follow. I can visualise a Waterford full forward line of Fitzgerald, Hutchinson and Michael Kiely terrorising defences around the country in the not-too-distant future, with Patrick Fitzgerald coming in to deliver the coup-de-grace to tiring defenders. But what are the chances of Davy Fitzgerald ever deploying a three-man inside line? The answer to this question could determine Waterford’s fortunes in the coming two years.

However, the big takeaway for me from last night’s game was the superb performances of the other Fitzgeralds, the brothers from Clashmore-Kinsalebeg, in the SETU full back line. They kept their highly-touted opposite numbers, Michael Kiely and Seán Twomey scoreless, with Josh in particular coming out with the ball several times to clear his lines. I had marked Sam as an intercounty prospect since his minor days, and remember a couple of years ago him doing a similarly superb man-marking job on Ballyduff Upper’s Michael Kearney in a Western Intermediate Final.

Full back is the one line where Waterford are seriously lacking in cover at the moment. The departure of Ian Kenny has been a big loss, and at the moment Conor Ryan seems to be the only back-up to Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty and Shane McNulty. I suppose Mark Fitzgerald and either of the two Dalys can be deployed there if required, but really you would like to have specialist full backs to provide cover (and competition). I think both Sam and Josh Fitzgerald are (or were) involved in the panel at the start of the year, and I would certainly like to see one, or both, of them being given a chance to show what they can do in the remainder of the league.

Incidentally, referring back to the dominance of Waterford players in the SETU team this year, over the years, press reports of Fitzgibbon Cup games involving Cork and Galway teams usually preceded their team lists with the words “All Cork/Galway, except where stated”. It has been good to see “All Waterford, except stated” in the SETU team lists this year.

decies · 17-02-2023 8:05pm

Tourin align with Cappoquin due to dwindling playing numbers

PTH2009 · 17-02-2023 10:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120254581#Comment_120254581

Sadly the way it's going for small clubs

St. Carthages would be a decent senior team if all clubs joined together at that level

decies · 17-02-2023 10:55pm

Former Armagh football captain Jarlath Burns has been elected as president of the GAA.

PTH2009 · 17-02-2023 10:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120255312#Comment_120255312

Let's hope he'll be presenting the Liam McCarthy to a Waterford man

JD. 60 · 18-02-2023 10:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120254556#Comment_120254556

The missed frees were unfortunate but Reuben Halloran had been knocking the lights out for SETU/WIT and before that, DLS U20s, while also making appearances for Waterford in the ‘winter league’ and NHL. It’s a bit much for a young lad to be at 100% at all time.

On the subject of free taking, Waterford don’t have one that will convert 9/10 or 10/10, which can make the difference between winning or not. Stephen Bennett is good but does have the occasional wobble. The best in the business is “TJ” ; his technique is usually flawless ; his feet are planted to the ground while striking, while the ball keeps a low trajectory making it less likely to move off course. The best long distance free taker is Diarmuid Byrnes. Aussie is quite good too from long distance.

Billy Ocean · 18-02-2023 11:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120256405#Comment_120256405

Actually rate Jason Forde as the best freetaker of the lot myself.

JD. 60 · 18-02-2023 2:31pm

3 goals for Mikey Kiely in the 1st half

Dammo · 18-02-2023 2:47pm

Lovely fourth goal by him there

Deisegodeo · 18-02-2023 3:32pm

Unbelievable performance from Michael kiely in the Fitzgibbon final, 4-1 and man ofthe match. brilliant goals, particularly the fourth one for me.

decies · 18-02-2023 3:39pm

Right Davy you have talent to choose from hope you play into our strengths

PTH2009 · 18-02-2023 4:11pm

Some going by Kiely and simply must be in the first 15

Deisegodeo · 18-02-2023 4:14pm

Full forward line of dessie-bennett-kiely is very exciting ... what are the chances we would see it though

Mastermcgrath · 18-02-2023 6:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120257652#Comment_120257652

Saw it last year but went missing

Mastermcgrath · 18-02-2023 6:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120254581#Comment_120254581

Tourin is not even a parish. It’s literally nothing just a hurling field on the back road between cappoquin and Lismore. Amazing they are a club at all

deisedude · 18-02-2023 7:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120257652#Comment_120257652

The 2 Fitzgeralds look good too but our main problem looks to be winning primary ball in the half forward line

Deskjockey · 18-02-2023 7:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120257520#Comment_120257520

Davy will probably play him corner back

TheScoringGoal · 18-02-2023 7:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258470#Comment_120258470

That's it in a nutshell. Though with Kiely, Monty, Bennett and Austin we should have enough physicality to win ball. It's up to Davy now to put a structure in place to use them.

PTH2009 · 19-02-2023 5:30pm

Another bad day for the Footballers

Sligo 0-21- Waterford 0-13

Up next Wexford in Carriganore next Saturday 25th Feb

decies · 20-02-2023 10:45am

Live GAA coverage on TV next weekend:

Sat

4.30pm: Dublin v Mayo (LF) - TG4

5pm: Kerry v Armagh - RTÉ 2

7pm: Mayo v Tyrone - TG4

Sun

12.30pm: Donegal v Galway - TG4

2pm: Kildare v Derry- BBC iPlayer

2.30pm: Galway v Limerick (H) - TG4

Dunmoreroader · 20-02-2023 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251605#Comment_120251605

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252211#Comment_120252211

University of Limerick:

Waterford (3): Mark Fitzgerald, Mikey Kiely, James Power

Kilkenny (3): Dean Mason, Shane Staunton, Darragh Corcoran

Limerick (2): Colin Coughlan, Adam English

Tipperary (2): Bryan O'Mara, Gearoid O'Connor

Cork (2): Brian O'Sullivan, Sean Twomey

Galway (1): TJ Brennan

Offaly (1): Killian Sampson

Clare (1): Mark Rodgers

Subs: Diarmuid Hanniffy (Galway) for Power 38, Mike Gough (Clare) for Staunton 44, Conor Flaherty (Galway) for Sampson 50, Padraic Dunne (Laois) for Fitzgerald 57, Killian McDermott (Clare) for Rodgers 59.

I just meant it must be a first for Waterford to have more lads on another county's college/Uni team than the county in which the college is situated when for years Waterford wasn't even the primary source for WRTC/WIT/SETU Waterford.

Billy Ocean · 20-02-2023 10:18pm

Well lads, I'm travelling down from Wexford to the Waterford/Wexford football game in Carriganore next Saturday at 4, just wondering what ye reckon is the best place to watch the rugby beforehand?

evolvingtipperary101 · 20-02-2023 10:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120267465#Comment_120267465

Revolution Bar or Oskars

lim4ev · 20-02-2023 11:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120264655#Comment_120264655

cathal o Neill would have made it 3 limerick players but he was injured

PTH2009 · 21-02-2023 1:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120267465#Comment_120267465

Nearest places too SETU Arena are the Holy Cross, Viking Ramada Hotel and Greenway Manor Hotel (which has a decent sized TV in the bar)

Cake Man · 24-02-2023 3:47am

So Antrim on Sunday, any team news? With the Fitzgibbon finished, it's intercounty from here on out so Davy & Co. should have a full panel to pick from (barring injuries that is).

Not really a game that whets the appetite it must be said but should be winning this one. Antrim only went down by 6 to KK and by 3 to Dublin recently, as well as a last minute penalty that they blazed over in the fixture against us in Belfast last year that, if it went in, they would have won. So unlikely to be the cricket score some may expect Waterford to win by.

decies · 24-02-2023 8:50am

We should be looking forward to every inter county game considering the Munster championship starts with limerick then cork end of April . That cork game more then likely a must win game so while winning league not a priority bringing players on and ironing out mistakes should be . Work permitting I really hope to get to it Sunday as no tv coverage .