Take off: Waterford's Eamonn Walsh and Carlow's JJ Smith in action at Dr Cullen Park.
Waterford 1-11; Carlow 1-11
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Waterford’s footballers remain unbeaten following a hard-earned draw against Luke Dempsey’s Carlow in Dr. Cullen Park last Saturday. Manager John Owens will probably see this as a point lost, as Waterford had ample chances to win what was a controversial game as Waterford finished with 13 men following the dismissals of Wayne Hennessy and captain for the day Tony Grey. The home side also had a player sent off after JJ Smith saw the line for a kick on Eamonn Walsh.
The first half was very competitive and entertaining as both sides battled for the precious points needed to keep promotion bids on track. The home side took the lead through a free from JJ Smith as Waterford employed a tactic in the early stages of kicking long, high balls into the twin towers of Robert Aherne and Tommy Prendergast.
Owens’ charges had mixed results with this approach as neither player was able to win clean possession.
They were forced to battle for breaking ball and this they did to great effect with Aherne in particular kicking three points in the opening half. One of his scores was an exquisite effort off the outside of his left boot from wide on the left touchline that had Carlow ’keeper James Clarke scrambling across his goal.
The Waterford full-back line came under extreme pressure in the opening half with the entire Carlow full-forward line getting on the scoresheet. Corner-forward Eric McCormack was the pick of the Leinster side’s attackers and looked lethal in front of goal. In first-half injury time the Eire Og clubman pointed a free from the right touchline from a seemingly impossible angle.
Waterford had a good goal chance in the 32nd minute when Robert Aherne ran through. He had an opportunity to pass to the unmarked Tommy Prendergast inside him, but elected to take his own score instead.
When the teams went in for the half-time break they were level at 0-7 apiece after a late point from Michael Donnelly brought Waterford back on even terms.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story.
