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

PTH2009 wrote: »

it is funny reading all the posts from July 20th last year after the wexford defeat. myself and many other posters were very worried about the future of waterford hurling. who would of known we would win the league and be in a munster final some 11 months later.

the munster final is on the same weekend as the connor mcgregor fight so it should be a good weekend.

a big shock is going to happen on sunday 21st june Wexford are going to beat Kilkenny believe me

Its funny your so confident of other teams winning even if they are strong underdogs and never confident of Waterford even if we were strong favourites.
Anyway I agree in that Wexford will put out big performance and if they have improved on last year they might just win. Be really great for Championship if they did.

paddy13 wrote: »

Its funny your so confident of other teams winning even if they are strong underdogs and never confident of Waterford even if we were strong favourites.
Anyway I agree in that Wexford will put out big performance and if they have improved on last year they might just win. Be really great for Championship if they did.

Going to head up to that game in nowlan park. Its a great place to watch hurling and does have the potential to be a great game.

stumblingblock wrote: »

Another fellah who has been an absolute colossus as ever is Brick Walsh. What a man and what a servant he has been. Why wouldn’t all these young fellahs have the impeccable attitude they have when they have a role model like that to take after.

A man who was absolutely slated on here earlier in the year. People saying he was finished and that he was never a hurler anyway. Ye should hang yere heads in shame.

He is pure class, who cares if he doesn't lash the ball long distances, his pass rate is near perfect. Look at the way he set up two of the goals last Sunday, that's what he brings to the team, we have other players for hitting it long and scoring points. He is so calm, clever and skillful. Love watching him play.

When are the U21s playing

Read in the Examiner today that Derek McGrath is set for an extension to his term. A reward for a job well done. The board are happy and so are the sponsors. The gates will only increase and the performance related deal with three.ie has hit all targets as of yet. Indeed the coffers are improving to the extent that the Walsh Park offices seem to be worth breaking into!!

So far so good. There was criticism last year. A lot of fans weren't happy but also the players. However, if there was no criticism and just apathy, Waterford Hurling would be in a sorry state.

I thought the reason for the sluggish start was that the team was trying to find a way of playing without Pauric Mahony. Pauric was the conduit (insert here fulcrum, lynchpin, metronome) always
available for the simple pass, the steady assist or the settling free. With Pauric you get a guarantee of performance, a reliable measure. Without him we now go longer to the ball winners Maurice and Brick. It's more direct. It worked against Cork's defence. The Centre Forward position is an area we can attack through rather than from. You have to go over it against a stiffer defence. We can do that.

There are improvements. Daragh Fives seemed in good knick going through the warm ups with the rest of him. If he is ok he could played the auxiliary/breaking midfielder instead of Dunford, allowing the Colligan man closer to goal. The move Austin Gleeson forward option may not happen , the defence will probably remain intact. We might resort to it if the scoreboard insists on it. Then there is the lads that came off the bench. I have never seen such talent (and Eddie Barrett.....only messing) being introduced onto a Waterford team.

As for defence you can't have too many complaints. Pa Cronin scored well without pressure but I believe the logic is to allow that. You are not getting a goal. Tadgh de Burke won't be drawn. The comparisons were made to the Noel McGrath role, written and performed by Noel McGrath, in the semi final in 2010 where he took Brick for 5 points. People forgot that Eoin Kelly playing his interpretation of the Eoin Kelly role took us for 2 goals and that killed us. The points are the lesser of the two evils at the moment.

Another couple of additional points:
Shane Bennett's introduction and his Brother's reaction to his introduction. Stephen then matched his brother's impressive scoring contribution. Similar how Shane Fives upped his game when his brother got on ahead of him. Competition in the panel. Competition in the family. All good.

Brian O Halloran making it to half time. I think that was his third championship start. His first that passed the short whistle. Didn't really work for him but he was always drifting into space and available. Moran, Barron, Brick and Maurice fluffed there lines too but they are central while O Halloran, along with Dillon and Dunford are working just as hard, mostly off the ball. Dillon and Dunford though have that killer instinct. Tom Devine too.

3ships wrote: »

U-21's beat Tipp in Challenge last week 1-14 to 0-14

Team listed by Phil Fanning in N and S

Billy Nolan
Conor Gleeson
Kieran Bennett
Jack Mulaney
Keiran Power
Jason Roche
Michael Harney
Cathal Curran
Mark O Brien
Barry O Sullivan
Jason Gleeson
DJ Foran
Ryan Donnelly
Cormac Curran
......AN Other maybe Daragh Lyons

+9 Seniors from 26 panel last Sunday

TdeB
Aussie
Tom Devine
Stephen Bennett
Dunford
Shane Bennett
Pat Curran
Mikey Kearney
Shane McNulty

and Seanie Barry and I presume thats the panel for next Wednesday

Couple others maybe Colm Roche and Seamus Keating

That's incredibly Strong.. A win is a must with that group..

I heard Cahalane had some health problems, seriously talented young player (football too) and just what Cork seniors (hurling and football) need in the half forward line. Is he back playing club hurling and and any chance of him making it back soon?? Massive loss to Cork, would have def started this year.... Hope he makes it back to playing at the top level, potential to be a special player..

Waternut wrote: »

I heard Cahalane had some health problems, seriously talented young player (football too) and just what Cork seniors (hurling and football) need in the half forward line. Is he back playing club hurling and and any chance of him making it back soon?? Massive loss to Cork, would have def started this year.... Hope he makes it back to playing at the top level, potential to be a special player..

Cahalane was a good prospect but he was always short on speed, which is a big handicap in modern hurling. Afaik he still isn't back, and might never be.

I thought O'Callaghan, Collins and a couple of others were better prospects from that group.

Jesus that is a serious team, will the game be on TG4 I wonder?

I'm guessing we don't get U21 on Gaa Go