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

Lads just on the posts here on Maurice Shanahans behaviour today. I was unlucky enough to be sitting in the uncovered section of the old stand nearly on pict level and noticed Maurice getting verbals every time he was hitting a free from both Ryan o Dwyer and Danny suttcliffe if he reacted to them in the same way rush did we would of lost the game. As for Eddie Brennan's comments, in fairness I don't think Kilkenny do verbals or tactics please now lads stop. Maurice has stepped up for this team in a big way it's brilliant to see and the way he was on the pitch today is the way he plays for lismore with a bit of madness and swagger I for one was delighted to see it.

Connors will be touch and go for 2 weeks time.

I'd worry for the likes of Shane Bennett against KK just in terms of him being so young against such a physical and experienced outfit.

Cake Man wrote: »

Yeah I have to say the thoughts of Bennetts, Dunford, Paddy Curran coming up against the likes of Tyrell and Paul Murphy is a bit daunting!

Tyrell is out as far as i know, i think he has a fractured wrist or some sort of hand injury.
Just looked at the Kilkenny site after posting its actually a broken bone in his foot

I'd have no fear throwing Shane Bennett in against KK. He's a strong lad and not afraid to hit a shoulder, (look at yesterday when he was running through on goal) I would think it's a bit early for Paddy Curran to start, just my opinion, he does seem a bit lighter and I don't think he's ready for Paul Murphy or Jackie Tyrell yet.
I don't think Colin Dunford should start the next day, he should relax more on the ball and run at people, getting a free or a sideline is much better than his over the shoulder hit and hope, he's a good lad and will be important to us in the future, but we can't afford to hit so many wides in 2 weeks. That leaves, Daniels, Barrett, Devine and Stephen Bennett for a starting place against KK. Daniels could go half back and push Darragh Fives into midfield, Barrett could go midfield and leave Kevin Moran half forward or the other 2 lads could go straight into the full forward line.
Also, what did ye think of Darragh Fives moving to the full back line yesterday when Daniels came on? Imo, Fives has more hurling than Daniels so it was a bit strange seeing him getting pushed back to the full back line and leave Daniels out the field.
Personally I'd love to see Stephen Bennett or Tom Devine start in the full forward line alongside Maurice or Shane Bennett, we need 2 in there at least, I really hope Derek doesn't withdraw and leave 1 inside, we will give away so much ball to their full back line.

Good win, good performance with a more positive approach. Good to see Darragh Fives and Stephen Daniel's back in the fray and coped well with the loss of Noelie Connnors. This game will do both lads the world of good and increases our options. Thought all played well but there as certainly more in them, Dunford had some poor wides, but having watched a recording of the game last night he did create lots of trouble for Dublin defence and is definitely much more of a threat close to goal. Felt as the game progressed we improved as a team, in the first half we were not inclined to lay off the ball going for our own scores but it the second half got two excellent goals with unselfish play.

On Maurice Rushe incident, maybe i missed something but from what i can gather there is a lot of assumption on the part of pundits and posters on here. Everyone assumes that Maurice was the instigator and aggressor of any verbals, but no one heard what was being said or heard what went on during the game. What we did see was first Rushe kicked at Maurice and then slapped him across the head, and it is all about poor Rushe and what Maurice might have said to provoke him. Back in 2002 Ken got absolutely slated for hitting Gerry Quinn of Clare and there was no pundit rushing to his defence, the opposite in fact it was basically a case of that kind of verbals goes on but should never result in the use of a hurley. Maurice has had his own share of troubles and has had more that his fair share of criticism. yesterday he turned in a complete performance and you can be damn sure he took more that his fair share of punishment, and there is no county out there that does not resort to verbals. This holier than thou attitude gets on my goat. Tom Dempsey on the radio when talking about Galway's performance once again harped back to "Waterford's fist pumping" as if we were the only team to ever do this - rubbish , there if nothing wrong with a bit of passion.

On the next day v KK. I believe if we can continue to develop as a team, as we have done and take this as just one more game, we have a real chance of creating an upset. Do not think we should start Patrick Curran, previous experience of launching young players into full championship starting debuts in All Ireland Semi finals have proven to be the wrong decision, i.e. Shane O'Sullivan in 2004 v KK and Brian O'Halloran against Tipp (in 2010 I think). There is too much hype and and expectation. for me starting line up yesterday was very strong and we had loads of options from the bench if things not going right ,so assuming all fit, same again for me please. The ability to able to spring the likes of Curran, Stephen Bennett, Daniels, O'Halloran, Barrett, Prendergast, Devine, O'Brien and others from the bench is a luxury we have not had in my memory anyway.

We go in as underdogs but who cares, the prize of victory for this young side is phenomenal, a defeat fro this young side would be a valuable part of a learning curve. Against Tipp I felt we were a little reserved, this time i hope we can hurl without fear and improve on little things from yesterday and let the result take care of itself.

Final word of note going back to yesterday, do not like to single out players as such, but specials words of mention for Brick and Moran, those two young fellas showed true leadership and determination and inspired those around them. If anyone deserves to be part of a side that were to banish the ghosts of 2008 those two lads do.

culbaire wrote: »

Eddie Brennan has made a proper eejit of himself with a silly tweet on Liam Rush incident

"No excuse for Liam rush but nothing worse than being beaten & getting verbals from your opponent #sportsmanship"

Is this the same Eddie Brennan who nearly decapitated Stephen Lucey at the beginning of the 2007 All Ireland, with as filthy a stroke as I've seen on a hurling field?
****ing hypocrite!!!

Anyway all that aside you'd have to be happy with yesterday. It was always a potential banana skin and we navigated it successfully. Job done and we move on.

Quote Blue Flame
On Maurice Rushe incident, maybe i missed something but from what i can gather there is a lot of assumption on the part of pundits and posters on here. Everyone assumes that Maurice was the instigator and aggressor of any verbals, but no one heard what was being said or heard what went on during the game. What we did see was first Rushe kicked at Maurice and then slapped him across the head, and it is all about poor Rushe and what Maurice might have said to provoke him. Back in 2002 Ken got absolutely slated for hitting Gerry Quinn of Clare and there was no pundit rushing to his defence, the opposite in fact it was basically a case of that kind of verbals goes on but should never result in the use of a hurley. Maurice has had his own share of troubles and has had more that his fair share of criticism. yesterday he turned in a complete performance and you can be damn sure he took more that his fair share of punishment, and there is no county out there that does not resort to verbals. This holier than thou attitude gets on my goat. Tom Dempsey on the radio when talking about Galway's performance once again harped back to "Waterford's fist pumping" as if we were the only team to ever do this - rubbish , there if nothing wrong with a bit of passion.

Absolutely spot on- Not a shread of proof that Maurice goaded Rushe but many 'pundits' are quick to assume it, including the smug smirk out the side of his mouth Brennan. Not a mention either about the headbutt he threw before that.
As for the fist pumping- Galway were at it at the end of the second game but Dempsey will ignore that. Its been a stick thats been used to beat us before....it proves one thing we're going well and that gets on some peoples goat - like Brennan and Dempsey- they'll ignore a slap of a hurley to the head because it suits their agenda

In fairness to Tom Dempsey, I heard the 'fist pumping' line and he made it clear afterwards that he didn't see anything wrong with it. Something along the lines of using any strategy to get fired up. Of course, the moral custodians of the game will carry on getting their knickers in a twist when Waterford, with our vulgar townie ways* get anywhere near September. Plus ça change . . .

*I realise not all our players are townies but they are all contaminated in the eyes of the Very Serious GAA People.

dcrosskid wrote: »

Obviously not condoning Rushe's stroke but Maurice Shannahan was goading him for some time and obviously was looking for a reaction from him.

You are condoning Rushe's stroke. Obviously.

PTH2009 wrote: »

roll on Sun 9th aug. This will be Tadgh De Burcas first ever game in Croke Park i think

As far as I am aware, five of the twenty Waterford players who played yesterday have not played in Croke Park before: Shane Fives, Tadhg de Búrca, Colin Dunford, Eddie Barrett and Maurice Shanahan. Colin Dunford was a sub on the minor team that played there in 2011 but didn't come on.

Speaking of Dunford, he does take up good positions and has an excellent first touch. After scoring two early points, I thought he might go on to have a great game, and could well have scored six points with the chances created. It is probably a confidence thing, and I would persevere with him against Kilkenny. People on here seem to be delighted that Jackie Tyrrell won't be available for Kilkenny. On the big Croke Park pitch, players like Dunford and Shane Bennett could really scorch Tyrrell.

While Philip Mahony did a lot of good covering work yesterday, he was in serious trouble in the air against Danny Sutcliffe who won an ocean of ball. This could be a problem against Kilkenny, who are very good in the air.

Gentleman Off The Pitch wrote: »

We obviously have different understandings of the word condone.

Yes, we do.

Edit: regarding discussions of Maurice's behaviour, I'm working my way through the game on Sky+, not for the purposes of this subject but I'm keeping an eye out for it in passing. I was up to the 50th minute this morning and I saw one (1) instance of Maurice engaging in verbals and/or gesture towards an opponent. I'll get back to the subject when I've seen the whole game

Giveitfong wrote: »

As far as I am aware, five of the twenty Waterford players who played yesterday have not played in Croke Park before: Shane Fives, Tadhg de Búrca, Colin Dunford, Eddie Barrett and Maurice Shanahan. Colin Dunford was a sub on the minor team that played there in 2011 but didn't come on.

Maurice came on a sub in 2009 and 2011 against Kilkenny. Scored two from play in 2011.

To be fair, it's not the first time Rushe has been sent off late in games for lashing out. It has happened him on at least two previous occasions.

He often lets his frustration get the better of him!

Mountainlad wrote: »

Would you call joe Canning unsporting?

Would you? Can't remember him ever carrying on like Shanahan did yesterday to be honest.

I know he actually got a yellow for "sledging" earlier in the year after scoring a goal but I think Brian Gavin just got that one wrong to be honest as did most people at the time if I recall rightly.

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Would you? Can't remember him ever carrying on like Shanahan did yesterday to be honest.

I know he actually got a yellow for "sledging" earlier in the year after scoring a goal but I think Brian Gavin just got that one wrong to be honest as did most people at the time if I recall rightly.

Daithi Regan was on Newstalk a while back and mentioned he was talking to Brian Gavin; the jist of it that Brian was satisfied that a yellow card was due at a minimum.

Thinking less of someone who engages in sledging than the person who slaps them upside the head with a piece of wood. If only I had known this rule all those years ago when my older brothers were winding me up!

Stacksofwacks wrote: »

If sledging isn't personal abuse then what is it? You seriously think that players full of adrenalin won't cross the boundaries from harmless banter 'oh you could have done better there lad'' to ''go **** your mother and sister ya Dublin pikey'' bla bla

What are you on about? Believe it or not most intercounty hurlers are normal enough decent lads who don't personally abuse people. I don't know what you are trying to prove by making up some ridiculous insult and putting the words in someone elses mouth.

redlead wrote: »

What are you on about? Believe it or not most intercounty hurlers are normal enough decent lads who don't personally abuse people. I don't know what you are trying to prove by making up some ridiculous insult and putting the words in someone elses mouth.

ok so give me an example of something that would be ok for a normal decent lad to say in the field but dosen't constitute any kind of personal abuse whatsoever