Waterford GAA thread - mod warning post #1 and #51

Waterford 3-15 Carlow 0-10

In my view, hurling should not be played under lights, and in particular in Fraher Field where it is difficult (for me anyway) to see what is happening in the far side of the field. What made tonight’s game even more difficult for players and spectators was the strong blustery wind blowing continuous rain across the pitch, although it cleared up a bit in the second half.

I would say that Carlow were a better team than either Offaly or Laois. Physically big, they were good in the air around the middle of the park and had good close ball skills. They concentrated on playing a short-passing game, and were good at holding onto possession under pressure.

They started well and dominated the play early on, leading by 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Two Waterford goals in the 10th and 11th minutes were a big setback for them, but they still held their own for the remainder of the half, which finished with Waterford 2-7 to 0-7 in front. The first goal came from a Shane Bennett sideline which came into the Carlow goalmouth and may have gone straight to the net, although Tommy Ryan may have got a touch. A minute later Stephen Bennett won a good ball on the Carlow end line to the left of the goal and then passed back to brother Shane who blasted to the net from 20 metres. The feature of the first half was a marvellous solo point by Jamie Barron, who careered through the Carlow defence from midfield, sidestepping players left and right, before shooting over the bar from 30 metres.

The second half was something of a procession. Carlow persisted with their short-passing game, and while this allowed them to frequently play their way out of defence, ultimately they were unable to make any impression on the Waterford defence. Waterford, without reaching any great heights, gradually added to their score, the highlight being their third goal when the impressive Jack Prendergast soloed past several Carlow defenders before passing the ball forward to Shane Bennett who again fired past an unsighted goalkeeper to the far corner.

On a night when referee John Keenan dished out multiple cards, Carlow had two players sent off in the second half. They also lost their main sharpshooter, Martin Kavanagh, to injury late in the first half. They did hit a couple of good points late in the game when everyone’s focus was on getting into the shelter of the dressing room.

It is very hard to make any useful observations on individual performances in a game of such poor quality played in such difficult conditions. The remarkable Brick Walsh was Waterford’s busiest player throughout and probably man of the match, although his second half attempts to set up attacks kept going astray. He started at centre back but then went to right half back in a swap with Austin Gleeson midway through the first half. It was good to see Gleeson back, as well as Jamie Barron who showed some lovely skills during a good outing at midfield. Shane Bennett was much more involved than in the Offaly game while Jack Prendergast also showed up well.

Waterford brought on four subs in the second half – Callum Lyons for Jordan Henley, Shane Ryan for Tommy Ryan, Michael Harney for Colin Dunford and Stephen Roche for Shane Bennett. Again, you would wonder why the full complement of subs was not used on a night when the result of the game was a foregone conclusion from early in the second half.

Waterford: Billy Nolan; Shane McNulty, Conor Prunty, Noel Connors; Austin Gleeson, Brick Walsh, Jordan Henley; Jamie Barron (0-2), Colin Dunford (0-1); DJ Foran (0-1), Mikey Kearney (0-1), Jack Prendergast; Tommy Ryan (1-1, I think); Stephen Bennett (0-8, 7 frees); Shane Bennett (2-0).
Subs: Callum Lyons for Jordan Henley (50 mins); Shane Ryan for Tommy Ryan (55); Michael Harney for Colin Dunford (59); Stephen Roche for Shane Bennett (65).

Note: I am not certain about some of the scores, for which I blame the lights.

Official attendance: 2,478

I should have attributed a point to Callum Lyons in my report. I think he got the last score.

Giveitfong wrote: »

I should have attributed a point to Callum Lyons in my report. I think he got the last score.

Yep he did.

Also like you I thought the second goal was Shane Bennett but all other reports have it as Stephen with the goal.

Giveitfong wrote: »

Waterford 3-15 Carlow 0-10

The feature of the first half was a marvellous solo point by Jamie Barron, who careered through the Carlow defence from midfield, sidestepping players left and right, before shooting over the bar from 30 metres.

This never happened. Barron got two points. One late in the second half. The other was in the first half after a series of passes across the pitch which opened up space for him to strike.

He did go on one weaving run in the first half but was fouled for a free that Stephen Bennett converted.

Giveitfong wrote: »

Where did I make reference to "specialist full backs" in my piece? I mentioned "specialist corner backs" once, and "specialist full back line operators" once. Which of the six players identified is a half back?

Correct and apologies picked it up wrong.

Curran, Lyons , k Bennett would be naturally more so half backs than corner

Mastermcgrath wrote: »

Dublin game next will be interesting. We’ll get a look at where were really at and should get more of an idea of what the championship team will look like.

When are the Ballygunner fellahs expected back?

according to fanning after the game back training later this week

KevIRL wrote: »

Was in Nowlan Park today. Serious statement from limerick although Kilkenny were awful. Not a whole lot better than Carlow last night.

Serious performance from Limerick and I would not like too play them in the knockout stages of the league

In 1B Galway beat Dublin 0-20-1-11. A win for us in Dublin next Sunday will set up a 1st/2nd clash against Galway in 2 weeks time

We deff knw we will finish in the top 3 of 1B this avoiding the 1st placed team in 1A in the QFs.

puzl wrote: »

FTFY

Let's be honest, with limerick on 6 and Wexford on 4 with every other team on 2 it is *highly* unlikely that limerick won't top 1A.

But whatever way you look at it, any of the other teams from 1A will make for a challenging QF and a perfect test of where the team is after a 1B campaign. I'd love to see them square up to KK or Tipp tbh.

Only way limerick would be knocked off top if they lose there last 2 games and other results go against them

Away trips for us if were playing Tipp, Kiilkenny or Limerick

Wexford, Clare and Cork all coin tosses

Motivator wrote: »

I met someone today who was nearly crying when Waterford were relegated last year and is now hoping we avoid the bigger teams in the latter stages of the league. Why on earth would anyone be “hoping” Waterford avoid the bigger teams in 1A. I would love to see the team playing Limerick or Tipperary and if we get beaten then so be it. What’s the point in avoiding teams in February or March? Having a go off these teams early in the year gives management and players an idea of where they are and what they have to do to get up to speed. No disrespect to Carlow yesterday evening but they were awful, bigger tests await and the sooner in the year we get them the better.

You would get feed up at hammering teams week in week out but it was just the way our draw worked out. Next 3 weeks will be an indication of where we are.

Parnell park is not a good ground for us, could be wrong but was it 2009 we last played a league game there and were beaten ???. We played Dublin in Croke Park in our last league meeting in 2017. Dublin actually have a decent league record against us relegating us in 2014 in Walsh Park

Motivator wrote: »

I met someone today who was nearly crying when Waterford were relegated last year and is now hoping we avoid the bigger teams in the latter stages of the league. Why on earth would anyone be “hoping” Waterford avoid the bigger teams in 1A. I would love to see the team playing Limerick or Tipperary and if we get beaten then so be it. What’s the point in avoiding teams in February or March? Having a go off these teams early in the year gives management and players an idea of where they are and what they have to do to get up to speed. No disrespect to Carlow yesterday evening but they were awful, bigger tests await and the sooner in the year we get them the better.

Sounds to me like you met PTH2009

puzl wrote: »

I mean ,not just being in 1B but the order of our games, with each progressively more difficult and then a crack at someone decent in a knock out game is a perfect start to the year, win or lose.

Another day out in a semi would be superb, but would be hard earned against any 1A team. Intensity has been lacking in 1A but you can still see everyone means business this year.

I’d be weary of Dublin next weekend. There will surely be a kick in them after losing to Galway and they won’t want to have gone through the league having not beaten any of the top teams.

Mastermcgrath wrote: »

I’d be weary of Dublin next weekend. There will surely be a kick in them after losing to Galway and they won’t want to have gone through the league having not beaten any of the top teams.

I think it’s a game both teams will be targeting. Dublin will be definitely looking for a reaction to yesterdays defeat and will be a very stern test in Parnell Park. I don’t think we’ll see the Ballygunner contingent in action if they are only joining up this week. Probably give them game time in the Galway game. A win this week would be huge as PP hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us. I think getting to a league semi final would be a successful league for us this year, having seen a lot of players during this campaign.

DiscoStew wrote: »

I think it’s a game both teams will be targeting. Dublin will be definitely looking for a reaction to yesterdays defeat and will be a very stern test in Parnell Park. I don’t think we’ll see the Ballygunner contingent in action if they are only joining up this week. Probably give them game time in the Galway game. A win this week would be huge as PP hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us. I think getting to a league semi final would be a successful league for us this year, having seen a lot of players during this campaign.

Yea I think it’s important that we beat either one of Dublin or Galway in the next 2 games at least, set us up nicely for a quarter final against a 1A team that has been playing higher quality opposition than Lais Carlow or Offaly. When you look at it there is only potentially 3 more competitive games before championship. We can only beat what’s in front of us up until now, but it’s time to kick into gear from here in.

mountgomery burns wrote: »

A 5th/6th playoff in a year with no relegation. How do they come up with this shi*?

What was wrong with the previous format? The league had turned into a really good competition with tight games each week. This year is just meh

deisedude wrote: »

What was wrong with the previous format? The league had turned into a really good competition with tight games each week. This year is just meh

The two tier system is being abandoned in favour of two groups of roughly equal strength.
The league matters even less now with the round-robin provincials, so I think this is a good move, personally.