Waterford GAA Discussion Thread 2011-2012

deiseach wrote: »

I'm probably stating the obvious here, but what sets this apart is that we went with an expectation of a win and we got it. When they were nine points down I was dreading having to face up to the reality that no matter how good the hurlers we produce, they'd crumble as soon as they looked at those red/blue & gold jerseys, we are never going to overcome our inbuilt inferiority complex. But they did. I'm always proud of any Waterford team that fights the good fight. It doesn't matter how badly beaten they get, they're representing me and as long as they don't go down swinging timber or fists then I'll be proud to be associated with them. The lads the other night - they made me happy. I'm going to become a father for the first time soon (today is D-Day+1) and I'm looking forward to contrasting my feelings when it happens with my feelings on Wednesday night. I'm still buzzing from the result. If fatherhood is better than that, bring it on!

Id be reasonably well up on the progress of the development squads over the past few years and Id seen Cork a few times at u16 and u17 and I always knew that this Waterford group were ahead of them so I like you would have been so dissappointed had we crumbled to them when it really mattered on Wednesday night. I would rate Limerick as being a serious outfit having seen them at u17 last year and it has always been a particularly strong group and it will be another huge battle but I do feel that we are stronger than them aswell and if we play to our ability we will beat them. While Tipp would have been rightly favourites for the All Ireland it wasnt as surprising as some people were saying that they were beaten knowing this crop of players Limerick have.

This year and next year are big years for us at this level we have a super group of players coming through. Next years minor team won the Tony Forristal 4 years ago and the U16 Arrabawn Plate last year and and out of Wednesdays nights starting team Conor Gleeson, Shane Bennett, Patrick Curran, Colm Roche, Cormac Curran are still on the age next year.

I do think this year is there is a huge oppertunity there for which ever team wins the Munster final. Leinster has been quite weak this year and while Kilkenny have made it through to the Leinster final it wouldnt be classified as a vintage minor team by their standards having been beaten at home by Wexford already, and they play Laois in the final whom they beat by 17 points already earlier in the competition. By winning Munster you avoid Galway in the quarters who will be strong as they are every year and more than likely Kilkenny even if you beat Galway.

Its hard to call as when it comes to minors anything can happen on any given day but I have a good feeling about us at this grade over the next couple of years.

In the meantime enjoy the sleepless nights

hardybuck wrote: »

Well maybe not every year, but it's pretty common to see minors in the team, or at least in the squad.

When you've a quality minor team I'd say it is. I wouldn't expect the likes of Patrick Curran or Shane Bennett (two of the best performers) to be playing this year anyway. You might see Stephen Bennett or Austin Gleeson in there though.

I know Jake Dillon and Jamie Barron played u21 as minors and Philip Mahony in 2009, but don't think anyone did last year or in 2010.