Munster Express Online » GAA Football

Coláiste ‘ar fheabhas’ i gcluiche stairúil

The Munster Express — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:49:25 +0000

Coláiste na nDéise corner back Sean O’ Donovan and goalkeeper Eoin Kearns celebrate victory over De La Salle

Coláiste na nDéise 2-13

De La Salle 1-8

“It was a massive performance again today” – the words of Coláiste na nDéise manager Pat Collins in the aftermath of his side’s reaching a first Dr Harty Cup Final since 2004. That’s putting it mildly, Pat!

For the second successive game that not only finished the game with 14 players, they effectively started the game with 14 players.

Manager Owens confident despite notable absences

The Munster Express — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:34:07 +0000

Waterford football manager John Owens has expressed his frustration at the lengthy list of injuries he must contend with ahead of this Sunday’s League opener with Clare, including talisman Tommy Prendergast.

The Kilrossanty clubman is recovering from a shoulder injury which is likely to keep him out for up to five months – and that’s if surgery is successful.

Fascinating battle for Division Four looms

Eddie Kirwan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:32:52 +0000

: Little has separated Waterford and Limerick during their recent meetings in both League and Championship

It seems that whenever Waterford’s footballers have sought to make progress in recent years, Limerick have provided the obstacle standing in the Deise’s way.

‘We’re determined to bounce back in 2012’

The Munster Express — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:29:32 +0000

Ballygunner’s Munster Club Hurling semi-final defeat is a wholly illogical starting point for a conversation about Waterford’s footballing prospects for 2012, but that’s exactly where a recent chat with JJ Hutchinson began.

Sometimes, even in sport, you have to look back before you look forward. In the three weeks that followed that devastating defeat to Na Piarsaigh, Hutchinson couldn’t escape thinking about the glorious winning opportunity that the Gunners let slip at Walsh Park.

Deise boss favours playing All-Ireland final in August

The Munster Express — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:27:05 +0000

New Waterford senior hu

Michael Ryan wants the All-Ireland played in August

rling manager Michael Ryan has called for the Inter-County Championship to be completed by August, thus permitting an earlier finish for County Club campaigns.

“I’m in favour of condensing the League season, but not only that, I’d bring forward the Championship as well because it’s practically impossible to run the Club Championship now,” said the Deise boss.

Deise County Board’s €120k deficit revealed at Convention

The Munster Express — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:15:41 +0000

The seriousness of the Waterford County Board’s financial position was spelled out to delegates attending last Thursday night’s County Convention in Dungarvan.

The County Board closes the books on its financial year every October 31st, with this year’s figures revealing an operating deficit of just over €120,000 for the year.

This, when added to the loss of just over €94,000 for the previous year, doesn’t make for pretty reading.

With that in mind, the meeting heard that serious cuts will have to be made in the year ahead.

Central Council Delegate Paddy Joe Ryan suggested that the swapping of jerseys after games should be banned in a bid to save money.

The Board’s Balance Sheet revealed a 2011 spend of €126,484 on team kits, jerseys and equipment – an increase from €109,119 on the previous 12 months.

However, this figure did not include monies spent on hurleys and footballs (surely these rank as equipment?) which amounted to €12,747.

Overall, the message sent out to everyone from the Convention was clear: this sort of spending cannot continue.

In his Chairman’s address, Tom Cunningham stated: “As our statement of accounts shows for the past year our income was very substantially down, and overall we incurred a loss of more than €120,000 and this has to be taken very seriously.

“In fact if this situation is to continue then we could be left with an overall situation that would be beyond being rectified by this Board.”

Continuing, the Chairman warned: “In this matter both the Board and the clubs have a joint responsibility. And while I fully accept that the clubs themselves are currently virtually fighting for survival, it is still one on which they have a total obligation to the Board to help to resolve.”

Mr Cunningham pointed out that careful management of the Board’s finances for the year ahead shall be vital. “The incoming Board must treat as an urgent priority careful budgeting from administration down to the various teams’ expenditure,” he said.

“In the past, all reasonable demands from the various team managements have been met, but unless some corrective action such as major fund raising is put in place, one shudders to think what our financial position will be at the end of 2012.

“This is a collective responsibility and such, must be sold to everybody with an interest in the welfare of Gaelic Games in County Waterford and beyond.”

Despite referencing the tough decisions that lie ahead, Tom Cunningham has called on everyone to move forward united.

“If we are to improve our standards and competitiveness in a manner that each one of us would like to see, then the time is ripe for positive action and from tonight on a fresh attempt must be put in place to harness the goodwill and support of every club and supporter in the county.

“This will be a big undertaking and it will be only accomplished successfully if no impediments such as those encountered in the past manifest themselves. Let this be a united front for Waterford GAA and I for one would be confident that the delegates through their own clubs can make it happen.”

Meanwhile, just one new face was brought onto the County Board for 2012 following Youth Officer Pat Moore’s decision to stand down. The newly constituted Children’s Officer – not an elected position – will be filled by Roanmore’s Liam Cheasty.

The full list of officers for the year ahead is: Honorary Life President: Seamus O’Brien (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty); Chairman: Tom Cunningham (Stradbally); Vice Chairman: John O’Leary (Ballyduff Lower); Secretary: Timmy O’Keeffe (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); Treasurer: Joe Cleary (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty); Children’s Officer: Liam Cheasty (Roanmore); Oifigeach Gaeilge: Tomas O Cadhla (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty); Development Officer: Brendan Tobin (Sliabh gCua/St Mary’s); Games Development Officer: Michael Murphy (Passage East); Central Council Representative; Paddy Joe Ryan (Fourmilewater): Munster Council Delegates; Anthony Walsh (Colligan) and Pat Flynn (Passage East); PRO: Emer Barry (Lismore).

At last Thursday night’s County Board Convention, De La Salle’s Kevin Moran was named as the senior hurler of the year in Waterford.

Many had expected that the award would have gone to his club colleague John Mullane in recognition of the
fact he was Waterford’s only All-Star winner this year. Nevertheless, Moran had an equally impressive year for
club and county and was a worthy winner.

Shane Briggs had for some time been predicted as Senior Footballer of the Year and when he was announced as 2011’s finest, it came as little surprise.

Like-wise, the underage hurler and footballer of the year awards were predictable, with Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater) and Ray O’Ceallaigh (An Rinn) taking the respective garlands.

Club of the year this year went to Dungarvan who had a fine 2011, culminating in their winning the Western and County Intermediate Football Championships.

The Special Merit Award went to the Committee of the Tony Forristal/Sonny Walsh Tournament Committee which have superbly organised the event for the past 30 years.

Meanwhile, the Special Achievement award went to Sliabh gCua/St Mary’s in recognition of their winning the Western and County Junior Football Championships.

The Jack Furlong Award for long and outstanding service to the GAA was presented to Colligan’s Paddy ‘The General’ Walsh who served as Western Board Chairman for over 15 years prior to his standing down at the end of 2010.

It’s envisaged that each of the winners will be presented with their awards in the coming weeks.

Saviours survive as Ballinameela sink

The Munster Express — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:13:31 +0000

When this year began, Ballinameela were without doubt considered first and foremost as a football club.

They had just enjoyed a tremendous debut year in the Senior Football Championship where they came within a kick of a ball of getting to a county final.

In hurling, they were a competitive Junior outfit, always within a puck of a ball of winning a western final, but no better than that.

But come 2012, Ballinameela will compete at Intermediate level in both hurling and football, after being relegated by a determined St Saviours outfit in Carriganore last Saturday.

Ballinameela will certainly have mixed memories of Carriganore when this year is over.

Not only was it the venue of their three-game saga with Butlerstown in the never to be forgotten Junior hurling decider, but it was also where they were relegated to the Intermediate football championship.

There is no doubt that the efforts expired in winning that Junior hurling title took their toll and the result was almost inevitable before a ball was kicked on Saturday.

Ballinameela were also unfortunate that they came up against a St Saviours side that had a point to prove.

St Saviours enjoyed their best spring since 1998 when they won the Championship and pushed eventual champions, Ballinacourty all the way in the first round of the Championship.

They were also very vocal when the county board postponed the second round of the Football Championship in order to give the senior hurlers an extra week of preparation before the Munster final.

This game was originally scheduled to be played a week previously but much to the annoyance of Saviours, it was postponed to give Ballinameela an extra week following St Oliver’s appearance in the Under-21 Hurling final.

All of this conspired to provide St Saviours with a siege mentality as they took to the field last Saturday and such was their sense of purpose that Ballinameela were simply blown away.

St Saviours suffered an early blow when centre-back Anthony Jacob received a straight red card for an off the ball incident.

On another day, this might have been a factor but not on this occasion and Saviours could probably have afforded to lose another couple of players and still come out on top.

At that time, the sides were level at 0-1 apiece with Shaun Corcoran and Eoghan Walsh swapping frees.

Although playing with the wind, Ballinameela handed the initiative to Saviours’ by deploying the extra man in front of their full-back line.

For Saviours’ part, Adam Brophy went back into defence where he proceeded to play exceptionally well, putting Saviours on the front foot.

Points from Darren Tuohy and Corcoran put them two points in front by the 15th minute, before they received a major boost in the 17th minute.

A high ball broke on the edge of the Ballinameela square and just as Tuohy was about to pull the trigger he was up-ended, resulting in a penalty for the city side.

The penalty was dispatched confidently by John-Paul Jacob who fired over an unbelievable point from the corner a few minutes later to leave St Saviours leading by six points.

Ballinameela’s only response to all of this was a couple of points from Eoghan Walsh but Saviours closed out the first half scoring with a Brian Jacob point to leave them leading by five points at the break.

Saviours had the wind at their backs for the second half and they immediately went about making their senior status safe.

A point from Corcoran calmed any nerves before an exquisite pass from John-Paul Jacob set up his cousin Nicky for a great point. The lead became eight points a few minutes later when the excellent Brian Jacob fired over.

At that stage, it was apparent that there was to be no great comeback from Ballinameela as the fatigue of their efforts over the last couple of months really kicked in.

Eoghan Walsh did slot over a consolation free but Saviours were well and truly over the line at that stage.

Late points from Brian Jacob, Corcoran, John-Paul Collingwood and John-Paul Jacob wrapped up a decisive victory for the men in the famous black and white jerseys.

This was a thoroughly deserved victory for Saviours and it was set up by some excellent individual performances. Once again, Peter Crowley was exceptional at corner-back and was ably assisted in defence by the re-deployed Adam Brophy.

Elsewhere, John Paul Jacob had a great game as did full-forward Brian Jacob whose four points from play were very impressive.

They will now go into next year’s senior championship confident that they can really make a mark on the Championship. And with The Nire, Ballinacourty and Stradbally well ahead of the pack, Saviours can make a claim to become the best of the rest.

St Saviours

: Paul Holohan; Dean Crowley, Kieran Murphy, Peter Crowley; Joey Phelan, Anthony Jacob, Kevin Boland; John-Paul Jacob, Stephen Whelan; Shaun Corcoran, Nicky Jacob, Adam Brophy; Brian Power, Brian Jacob, Darren Tuohy.

Subs

: Michael Brophy for B Power, John-Paul Collingwood for D Tuohy.

Scorers

: JP Jacob (1-3; 1-0 pen, 0-2f), S Corcoran (0-4; 0-3f), B Jacob (0-4), N Jacob, J Phelan, D Tuohy and JP Collingwood (0-1 each).

Ballinameela

: Jason McGrath; Caimin Radley, Michael Walsh, Ken McGrath; Kevin Phelan, Eamon Walsh, Conor Buckley; Aidan Aherne, Brian Phelan; Tom Curran, David Phelan, Shane Flavin; Eoghan Walsh, James Fletcher, Eddie Walsh.

Subs

: Robbie McCarthy for S Flavin, Colin Walsh for J Fletcher, Nick O’Brien for R McCarthy.

Scorers

Referee: Maurice Condon (Clashmore).

: Eoghan Walsh (0-4; 0-3f).

Clonea clinch crown in Carriganore canter

Eddie Kirwan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:53:08 +0000

Clonea's Eoin Walsh and Saint Oliver's Brendan McGuire pictured in action during their U21b hurling County Final clash at Carraiganore. Picture: Michael Kiely.

Clonea 3-21; St Olivers 1-7

Clonea won the County Under-21 ‘B’ hurling title with considerable ease when they swept aside the tired challenge of St Olivers in Carriganore last Sunday.

St Olivers were bolstered by eight of the Ballinameela team that recently needed three games to beat Butlerstown in the county Junior final but the toil of those efforts told last Sunday as they succumbed to both injury and fatigue.

Star forward Jim Curran picked up an injury during the first half and his role for the second half was limited to standing between the posts while full-back Colin Walsh also limped his way through the second half.

Mid-Waterford mourns loss of an outstanding teacher and exemplary GAA man

The Munster Express — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:51:27 +0000

Sean Ahearne (1951-2011)

A man of sincerity, an outstanding servant to Stradbally GAA Club, an exemplary teacher and a great family man: these were just some of the tributes paid to Sean Ahearne, who passed away on Thursday last.

With the red of Stradbally draped upon his coffin, and with guards of honour formed by his players, along with pupils of Saint Declan’s Community College in Kilmacthomas, Sean Ahearne received a fitting farewell on Sunday last.

“If I was asked to use one word to describe Sean Ahearne, I’d pick the word ‘sincere’,” said Father Jerry Condon at the Requiem Mass held in Ballylaneen.

“Sean was a great husband to Bridget, a caring, kind and considerate father to Claire, Robbie and Barry and a doting grandfather to Ciara, Lucy-Jane and Conor. He was a great neighbour, a loyal friend and a good colleague.”

Saviours make amends in convincing victory

Eddie Kirwan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:42:14 +0000

St. Saviour's Joey Phelan and Kilrossanty's Paul Keating pictured in action during their Phelan Cup final at Carraiganore. Picture: Michael Kiely.

St Saviours 0-14; Kilrossanty 0-8

After losing the 2011 Final to the same opposition earlier this year, St Saviours made amends by claiming the 2010 Phelan Cup thanks to a six-point win over Kilrossanty on the astro-pitch in Carriganore last Friday.

St Saviours still have much to play for this year, as they still have to play Ballinameela in the relegation play-off and their extra desire and fitness certainly told in this game.

In fact, but for a dip in their form during the third quarter of this game, St Saviours could have won this game by even more than the 0-14 to 0-8 total.