Waterford manager John Owen: Division 3 football the target.
Waterford’s push for promotion is gathering momentum. Whisper it quietly but following last Saturday’s fantastic one point victory over Limerick, Waterford are actually in prime position to push on and secure an historic promotion to Division 3.
While one cannot ever question the progress made in the last five years under John Kiely, one also has to hand it to John Owens for the extra steel and guile added to the team this season. Before the season started, Owens trawled the county in a search for talent and this proved somewhat fruitful. Portlaw’s Michael Donnelly, a relative unknown on football terms up until a couple of months ago has come in and impressed greatly with his direct running style and his unerring accuracy from placed balls.
In this game, Waterford as so often in this year’s campaign, owed a debt of gratitude to the finishing of Stradbally’s Robert Ahearne. It was Ahearne’s goal in the 15th minute of the second half which propelled Waterford on to the 2 precious points.
Limerick as expected, started very brightly and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after an early flurry of points from James Ryan, James O’Donovan and dangerous corner-forward, Ger Collins.
However, Waterford soon settled down to the task at hand and Wayne Hennessy opened their account in the 12th minute.
Limerick corner-forward, Seanie Buckley almost dealt Waterford a fatal blow in the 15th minute when he was put through for a goal chance. However, fortunately for Waterford, Tom Wall’s goal led a charmed life as Buckley’s shot went over via the crossbar.
Waterford then scored two points in as many minutes from Wayne Hennessy and Michael Donnelly to reduce the deficit to a solitary point.
The Portlaw man’s point signalled a rather barren period of 15 minutes where the only score was a free from Limerick’s Ger Collins.
As half-time approached, Waterford trailed by 2 points but the finished the half in a flourish and two points from Hennessy and Brian Wall sent John Owen’s men in at the interval on level terms.
