Posts Tagged ‘Semple Stadium’

« Older Entries

Galway glory sparks optimism

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Galway 3-14 Dublin 1-10
By Fintan O’Toole
Monday, September 12, 2011

THE last week has given a strange insight into the condition of Galway hurling over the past two decades after two dynamic and hugely talented underage sides produced emphatic victories on All-Ireland final day.
First the minors had nine points to spare in Croke Park and then, on Saturday night, their U21 team had a ten-point cushion as they dismissed the challenge of Dublin in the U21HC final at Semple Stadium.

The level of performance served by their youngsters will generate plenty optimism in hurling circles in the county and this U21 victory demonstrated the potential that exists as these players prepare to move up to the senior grade.

But there is a large caveat to that positivity. Galway hurling has specialised in churning out sparkling underage talents in the past only to see them fall down on the big stage. The manner of this U21 success ensured there will be hope for Galway hurling over the winter, yet it will be accompanied by a natural wariness.

“All of Galway is hoping these guys will kick on and make good senior players,” admitted triumphant U21 boss Anthony Cunningham.

“Two weekends running, there’s a lot of optimism there now. But there’s still a massive amount of work to be done, you know how high the bar is, I don’t have to tell you. There are huge tasks there – the Limerick match the last day was a huge task to get over and you have the Corks, Kilkennys and now Dublin on the scene. What a force they’re going to be.”

For now Galway will savour this success as they firmly banished the memories of their U21 meltdown last year at the hands of an awesome Tipp team. They were ruthless, tearing Dublin apart and ensuring the 2011 hurling revolution in the capital concludes in sombre fashion. It was a desperately dispiriting experience for Dublin as they never scaled the heights they reached in their march to this decider.

Defenders like Martin Quilty and senior star Liam Rushe did their best to ignite the challenge, yet they were ultimately submerged by powerful maroon waves. The fact Dublin only raised three white flags from play, and two of those were delivered by substitute Robert Mahon in the last quarter, illustrated their struggles.

Of course that was also a testament to the strength of Galway’s rearguard. The semi-final success over Limerick illustrated their ability to shut down an attack and the standards set in that performance were replicated here by Niall Donoghue, Ger O’Halloran and Jason Grealish. Midfielder Johnny Coen was in the thick of the action from the off as he dictated the game. And Galway’s ability to feast on the breaks around the middle, the sharpness of their striking and the physicality of their tackling were also key facets of their victory.

Backed by a strong wind in the first-half, they took their time to get going up front. Barry Daly and Tadhg Haran offered early threats, and it was Haran who smashed home an 11th minute penalty to cancel out Tomás Connolly’s goal minutes previously for Dublin.

But Galway’s shooting was wayward and Dublin soaked up the pressure until just before the interval.

Then the Tribesmen cut loose, with corner-forward pairing James Regan and Davy Glennon wreaking havoc as they accelerated clear for a goal apiece before the break. That left Galway 3-6 to 1-4 ahead at the midway mark and their resilience in defence meant they were never going to leak a deluge of scores in the second-half. They cleverly picked off points with David Burke, Glennon and Niall Burke all prominent, and despite the accuracy of Dublin freetaker Kevin O’Loughlin, Galway’s 10th title at this level was never in doubt.

“It’s very satisfying for these players who were shell-shocked last year,” stated Cunningham. “This time last year it was a lonely place but to be honest, it’s a great way for them now to finish.”

Scorers for Galway: T Haran 1-3 (1-0p), J Regan, D Glennon 1-2 each, D Burke, N Burke 0-3 (0-2fs) each, C Cooney 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: T Connolly 1-2 (0-2fs), K O’Loughlin 0-5fs, R Mahon 0-2, N McMorrow 0-1.

Subs for Galway: R Burke for Gordon (18), B Burke for Haran (41), D Fox for Cooney (55), N Quinn for N Burke (57), D Cooney for D Burke (inj. 62).
Subs for Dublin: S McGrath for Schutte (HT), F Clabby for Kelly (HT), R Mahon for O’Loughlin (40), B Quinn for Connolly (56).

Referee: Tony Carroll (Offaly).

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Dublin and Galway to Renew Hostilities

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Rematch of the 2010 Semi-Final as Teams Meet in Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Final

Only six days after the counties met in the Minor decider, Dublin and Galway meet again but this time it is in Semple Stadium for the 2011 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship Final.

The counties last met in an U-21 Final in 2007, a final that Galway won and left Dublin still searching for a first All-Ireland title at this grade. Both sides are littered with senior talent and captains Liam Rushe and Barry Daly, together with their managers John McEvoy and Anthony Cunningham came together in Thurles today ahead of Saturday’s encounter.

Dublin come into this U-21 Final on the back of an impressive campaign in Leinster defeating Wexford in the final in front of a capacity crown in Wexford Park. Their Semi-Final win over Antrim didn’t cause them too much trouble and that might be the one worry as they enter this weekend’s final a little under cooked.

Galway on the other hand have had less games as they came straight in to the Championship at the Semi-Final stage but they got an almighty game from Limerick the last day out, a game that captain Barry Daly, who hails from Naas originally, was immense in.

There is plenty of talk about Dublin hurling at present and the strides being made but despite the travails of the senior side, a Minor and U-21 double would go down very nicely for the Tribesmen.

Criostóir Ó Cuana, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael said, “For the second year running all roads lead to Semple Stadium, Thurles for the climax of the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Hurling final which this year pits Dublin and Galway against each other.

“Last year’s fixture was a memorable game with Tipperary successfully holding off the Galway challenge to crown a memorable week but the men of the west get another chance to stake a claim for top honours this weekend.

“That they come against Dublin is further evidence of that county’s ongoing progress and the Dubs will no doubt recall losing to the same opposition in the 2007 decider.

“I am looking forward to what should be a tremendous encounter and I know the players, managers, supporters and our competition partners Bord Gáis Energy will view it in a similar vein.”

“Underage hurling in both Dublin and Galway could not be stronger right now and with both counties in their second underage final in six days there is huge excitement in both counties ahead of Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Final,” said the recently appointed Cork senior hurling selector and Bord Gáis Energy Sports Sponsorship Manger Ger Cunningham.

“This year is the third full year of our sponsorship and we are delighted to be able to support one of the truly great GAA competitions. While plenty of the focus will of course be on Dublin and Galway, Kerry and Westmeath also deserve huge praise and this game should be a great undercard to the main event with Kerry of course looking to retain the title they won last year.

“We are delighted once again to be able to offer the fans something different on Saturday in Semple and indeed on their couch at home. As well as the Crossbar Challenge which has been a huge success for both the winning clubs and fans alike, we are also doing QR code promotions on the back of the match programme and in conjunction with TG4, the Bord Gáis Energy Player Cam will be a feature of the Final. Finally, we will be announcing our Breaking Through Player of the Year in the weeks after the final.”

The 2011 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Final throws in at Semple Stadium at 7.00pm. It will be preceded by the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland B Final between Kerry and Westmeath, which is at 5pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on TG4.

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling
U-21 All-Ireland Championship 2011 Results

Bord Gáis Energy Leinster GAA Hurling U-21 Championship
8th June: Wexford (1-17) v Kilkenny (2-12)
Carlow (0-11) v Dublin (4-11)
22nd June: Wexford (7-18) v Laois (2-10)
Dublin (0-21) v Offaly (0-8)
13th July: Leinster Final: Wexford (0-11) v Dublin (1-18)

Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Championship
1st June: Tipperary (4-12) v Waterford (1-16)
15th July: Tipperary (1-21) v Cork (4-19)
26th July: Clare (1-15) v Limerick (2-19)
3rd August: Munster Final: Limerick (4-20) v Cork (1-27) (after extra time)

Bord Gáis Energy Ulster GAA Hurling U-21 Championship
13th July: Armagh 2-20 Donegal 1-6
20th July: Antrim v Derry – Walkover handed to Antrim
Down (0-10) v Armagh (1-11)
28th July: Ulster Final: Antrim (0-15) v Armagh (2-07)

Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship
20th August: All-Ireland Semi Finals:
Antrim (0-06) v Dublin (2-23)
Limerick (2-14) v Galway (0-22)

10th September: All-Ireland Final
Semple Stadium, Thurles, 7pm

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Burke propels Galway into decider

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

By Fintan O’Toole

Monday, August 22, 2011

Galway 0-22 Limerick 2-14

IT has been the scene of a couple of miserable experiences over the last 12 months but Semple Stadium at last yielded a night of joy for Galway hurling on Saturday.

Last September their U21 team were the hapless victims as Tipperary ruthlessly mowed them down to claim All-Ireland honours.

Last month their seniors saw another championship season screech to a halt when they collapsed against Waterford.

There were survivors from both those sides in the Galway U21 camp that arrived at the Thurles venue on Saturday night.

And they finally gained some reward for their endeavours, taking the spoils in an absorbing Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21HC semi-final against Limerick.

They achieved victory in admirable fashion, coping with the 55th minute dismissal of wing-back Rory Fox, the concession of two goals to Limerick’s brilliant attacker Shane Dowling at key junctures and then the late barrage of pressure as Limerick pounded their rearguard. Galway survived all that and in the process ensured this would be the final chapter of Limerick’s wonderful 2011 hurling narrative.

Galway boss Anthony Cunningham admitted: “It was a great performance and we’re delighted to get over the line. It was very pleasing how we recovered from setbacks.

“I thought the sending-off was a harsh decision. As was the decision to throw the ball in as the referee thought we had time wasted near the end taking a free. But that happens in matches. The guys worked very hard and we’re very thrilled.”

After the fireworks of the Munster final, Limerick entered this game looking to build on their momentum. But they could never quite scale those heights once more. The absence of Cathal McNamara hit their half-back line hard and Kevin Downes’ broken bone in his hand saw him withdrawn before the break. Backed by a vociferous following Limerick spurned crucial opportunities during the second-half and never managed to build on Dowling’s second goal when he rammed home a 39th minute penalty.

They trailed by three points with eight minutes left when Mark Carmody failed to control a Dowling cross and that was their best chance to raise another green flag.

Dowling did attempt to rifle a 30-yard free in injury-time through a cluster of defenders yet the shot was blocked.

Limerick manager Leo O’Connor backed the decision to go for a goal. He explained: “A lot of the decisions we make as a management team, we leave up to the players on the field. Shane Dowling fancied his chances from it. He had a superb game of hurling tonight for us and was riding the crest of a wave at the time. Sometimes they don’t go in and that’s hurling.”

Despite the impressive play of Dowling and Declan Hannon, Limerick’s other blue-chip forwards were stifled by a tough-tackling and intense Galway defence. Full-back Niall Donoghue produced a marvellous performance while Paul Gordon was also to the fore. Captain Barry Daly was outstanding, a figure of perpetual motion who troubled the Limerick defence when placed at full-forward at the start and disrupted their midfield effort when moved out the field after the break. Tadhg Haran enjoyed a sparkling opening-half while the attacking star for Galway was centre-forward Niall Burke. The Oranmore-Maree youngster rifled over seven points from play with his accuracy of striking and aerial prowess causing serious damage to Limerick’s prospects.

“Niall Burke had a terrific game all through”, admitted Cunningham afterwards. “He’s a very good player, is underage next year and has a bright future. We need to keep developing these players and there’s thanks to Mattie Ryan with the coaching he has done with these guys through the summer. That’s what Galway hurling needs, a lot of development.”

Limerick’s goal-hungry attack demonstrated their threat when splitting the Galway defence for Dowling to bound through in the 10th minute before batting to the net.

That set the tone for Limerick to be in the ascendancy on the scoreboard in the first-half yet the exploits of Haran, Burke and Daly, who shot points of outstanding quality propelled Galway into a 0-14 to 1-9 half-time lead. Even though Dowling’s heroics restored Limerick’s lead to 2-11 to 0-16 by the 44th minute, the clinical nature of Galway’s attack proved decisive. They shot over five points in succession midway through the second-half, the pick of the bunch a beautiful effort from the sideline by substitute Bernard Burke. That scoring spree was pivotal to their progression to a final with Dublin on September 10th.

Scorers for Galway: T Haran (0-5f), N Burke 0-7 each; B Daly 0-3; J Regan, D Burke, C Cooney, D Glennon, B Burke 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: S Dowling 2-5 (1-0 pen, 0-5f), D Hannon 0-4 (0-1 sideline), G Mulcahy, S O’Brien, K O’Donnell, C Allis, N Kennedy 0-1 each.

Subs for Galway: B Burke for Cooney (46), D Fox for Haran (58).

Subs for Limerick: M Carmody for Downes (inj) (28), K O’Donnell for Kennedy (48), W Griffin for Ryan (50), B O’Connell for Dempsey (50).

Referee: A Stapleton (Laois)

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Review | No Comments »

Joe is back this week giving his views on tonight’s Munster final from a poolside in Turkey

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Thanks to Bord Gáis Energy ambassador Noel McGrath for writing last week’s blog. Noel has had a cracking summer so far and hopefully he can carry on the form he has shown of late into the business end of the Championship.

With Noel taking on the responsibility of last week’s blog, I haven’t written a blog since our loss against Waterford, so I better start with that.

 Obviously the loss was massively disappointing, we just didn’t show up on the day, while Waterford came to Semple with a point to prove and reacted well on the back of their heavy loss in the Munster Championship against Tipp.

Waterford now progress to the All-Ireland semi final where they will meet Kilkenny. The Cats are coming into the game quiet and without the hype that usually surrounds them at this time of the year. This will suit Brian Cody’s men down to the ground, as they will be happy to let their hurling do the talking.

Waterford on the other hand, have had somewhat of a mixed season so far, but following their win over us, their confidence will be high and I have no doubt Davy Fitz will have the lads in the right frame of mind going into that game. I suspect Kilkenny will do the business and book their place in the All-Ireland Final, although in saying that, anything can happen on the day especially when it comes to this time of the Championship when teams like Waterford have nothing to lose.

The other senior Championship semi-final sees Tipperary take on the Dubs. Tipp are the bookies’ favourites at the moment and rightly so. They have been outstanding during the Championship and are definitely the team to beat. Dublin are playing in their first All-Ireland semi-final since 1948 and it would be fantastic if Anthony Daly’s men could book their place in the final and take to the field in front of a packed house in Croke Park on the first weekend of September. I fancy Tipperary to progress with experience proving the key factor.

The Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Championship is also approaching All-Ireland semi final stage with just the Munster final to be played to determine the last semi-final spot.

Tonight, Limerick take on Cork at the Gaelic grounds in the Munster final. Both teams have had impressive wins in their respective semi-finals with Cork beating defending champions Tipperary in Semple Stadium, while Limerick got the better of Clare in Ennis.

It is Limerick’s first Munster final appearance since 2002, the same year they went on to win the Munster title, but I don’t expect a repeat of 2002 tonight as I reckon Cork will squeeze out the win, in what will be a close game, and book their place in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway.

Last week, Antrim won their third consecutive Ulster Championship when they beat Armagh in Casement Park. I hear it was a tight game, which should stand to Antrim when they face Leinster Champions Dublin in what will be a huge test for the Glensmen. Dublin should have too much for Antrim in this one and should progress easily.

Some mouth watering encounters coming up in both the senior and U-21 Championships. I’m in Turkey at the moment taking a breather from it all so I better get back to the sun while I still can.

Speak to you all soon,

Joe

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Joe Blogs | 3 Comments »

Awesome Rebel Firepower

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Cork 4-19 Tipperary 1-21
By Fintan O’Toole
Saturday, July 16, 2011

Recent meetings against Tipperary in the U21 grade have been painful experiences for Cork with extra-time defeats in the last two years but the memories of those clashes were erased courtesy of a powerful winning performance in last night’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC semi-final in Semple Stadium.

This match had assumed extra significance given Cork’s hurling travails at other levels this season and the U21 team delivered a timely success. The latest offering maintained the theme of pulsating encounters between the counties at underage level in recent seasons but in a game that produced 45 scores in 60 minutes of play, Cork’s greater potency up front was key in front of 4,629 patrons.

“We’re very pleased and it was a hugely satisfying performance,” admitted Cork manager Ger Fitzgerald. “We got a fabulous start but they came back at us as. Goals were the key for us tonight and our men inside had the courage to take on the defenders to go for goals. But we have to keep our feet on the ground now and realise that we’ve nothing won. We’ve to play the winners of Clare and Limerick now, and that’ll be very difficult.”

Luke O’Farrell was in dazzling form in the opening stages and he unleashed a bullet to the top corner of the net in the fifth minute, after Christopher Joyce had made a brilliant block in defence to kickstart the move.

Dean Brosnan fired home the second in the 23rd minute with a rasping shot that came back off the stanchion and that was a reward for his promising endeavours. Conor Lehane bundled home the third in the 36th minute and that exemplified the greater impact the Midleton youngster made in the second half, as he benefited from a switch to full-forward before the break.

The final goal was registered by Aidan Walsh, a sublime finish in the 46th minute, and he had a storming second half as Tipperary found it impossible to halt his dominance in the aerial exchanges. Cork’s remaining forwards also shone, with Michael O’Sullivan playing an important role in helping to stymie the influence exerted by Noel McGrath while Jamie Coughlan weighed in with a 0-5 haul.

Tipperary were unable to build on their quarter-final win over Waterford yet their recovery from a disastrous start had seemingly placed them right in contention. Cork’s early play was electric as they sprinted into a 1-7 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute but remarkably Tipperary had whittled away that advantage within 10 minutes.

They never panicked and their corner-forward John O’Dwyer displayed superb accuracy from placed balls. Tipperary’s tactic of direct ball into Brian O’Meara paid off handsomely in the 15th minute when he grabbed a delivery by Kieran Morris and lashed a shot to the roof of the net. Brosnan’s goal afforded Cork some breathing space in the face of that Tipperary onslaught yet the game was delicately balanced as Cork lead 2-10 to 1-12 at the break.

Before the teams headed for the dressing rooms Fitzgerald expressed his displeasure to referee Michael Wadding at his first-half officiating and there was legitimacy to his complaints with the final free count standing 18-5 in Tipperary’s favour.

“I was unhappy,” revealed the Cork manager. “I just wanted to make the point that I felt they were getting frees a little easier. It didn’t improve in the second half so obviously what I said didn’t work but that’s the way it is.”

Tipperary made the brighter start to the second half as they outscored Cork 0-6 to 1-2 in the third quarter. Yet critically Cork tightened up in defence with substitute Damien Cahalane exerting a steadying influence, Joyce continuing to impress and captain William Egan leading the way. Goalkeeper Darren McCarthy made a vital save in the third quarter from O’Dwyer and was also alert to clear his lines as Morris stole in on goal.

At the other end Tipperary were struggling as their full-back line was placed under immense pressure while McCarthy’s puckouts repeatedly found the hand of Walsh at left half-forward. The Kanturk man’s goal opened the floodgates and in the closing exchanges Lehane and Coughlan split the posts with a succession of classy scores. Midfielder Adrian Ryan hit some good points for Tipperary yet they were unable to make real headway and the late switch of Noel McGrath to attack failed to alter the course of the game. Cork registered 1-7 in the final quarter while only conceding 0-3 and the strength of that finish propelled them to a place in the final on August 3.

Scorers for Cork: C Lehane 1-4, L O’Farrell 1-3, D Brosnan 1-2, A Walsh 1-1, J Coughlan 0-5 (0-2f), M O’Sullivan 0-2, W Egan (0-1f), S O’Farrell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: J O’Dwyer 0-11 (0-10f), B O’Meara 1-1, N McGrath 0-3 (0-3f), A Ryan, S Curran 0-2 each, K Morris, J O’Neill 0-1 each.

CORK: D McCarthy; C Joyce, E Finn, S Corry; J Nagle, W Egan, M Ellis; S O’Farrell, D Roche; D Brosnan, C Lehane, A Walsh; L O’Farrell, M O’Sullivan, J Coughlan.

Subs: D Drake for Roche (half-time), D Cahalane for Finn (42), E O’Sullivan for S O’Farrell (58).

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; C Haugh, K O’Gorman, S O’Brien; J Barry, N McGrath, P Heffernan; B Stapleton, A Ryan; J O’Neill, S Curran, P Murphy; K Morris, B O’Meara, J O’Dwyer.

Subs: J Gallagher for Barry (25), S Maher for O’Brien (half-time), M Sheedy for Morris (50), W Maher for Murphy (54).

Referee: Michael Wadding (Waterford).

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Review | No Comments »

Tipp still the team to beat

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

What a game to kick off the 2011 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U21 All-Ireland Championship! Waterford and reigning champions Tipperary played out a cracker in Semple Stadium last week, with the Premier County doing enough to edge out a victory and keep their hopes of retaining the Cross of Cashel alive.

It’s a tough blow for the Waterford lads, including our man Noel Connors. They put up a spirited come back in the second half, but it just wasn’t to be for them on the day. As for Tipperary, it seems they are certainly the team to beat in Munster and Semple remains a fortress. Cork are the next team to travel to Thurles, in what will be a massive game for both sides. The Rebels are coming in cold so to speak, having not yet played a championship game, while Tipp on the other hand, have that tough run out against Waterford behind them which should stand to them in a tight contest. It promises to be another cracker.

Last night Wexford and Kilkenny U21s met in Wexford Park ahead of the senior showdown this weekend, with Wexford somewhat surprisingly getting the better of the Cats thanks to a late Emmet Kent point. With Carlow facing Leinster Champions Dublin tonight, the 2011 U-21 season is well and truly under way.

Dublin really should have enough scoring power to brush aside Carlow tonight and with the likes of Liam Rushe and Daire Plunkett, they should run riot. If Carlow can keep the ball away from these two guys, they have an outside chance but it will probably be a tough evening for them.

At senior level, Dublin backed up their impressive League win with a hard-fought victory over Offaly, and following our win over Westmeath at the weekend, a Leinster Championship semi-final showdown with the Dubs in Tullamore should produce a great game with a big crowd. Hopefully I will be 100% by the time the match comes around and in contention for a place on the team. I have missed so much and I am itching for a game at this stage.

So after a long wait the 2011 Championship season is now in full swing, with both the U21 Championship and the Senior Championship games keeping us all entertained and back talking hurling 24/7. Exciting times ahead and it won’t be long until we are once again wondering where the months have gone.

Finally, for those teams who begin their campaigns in the coming weeks, best of luck and enjoy!

Joe

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Joe Blogs | No Comments »

Goal-hungry Tipp hold off late Déise surge

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Tipperary 4-12
Waterford 1-16
By Fintan O’Toole

TIPPERARY rounded off a splendid four-day period for hurling in the county with success in last night’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC quarter-final in Semple Stadium but only after withstanding a storming second-half performance by a 14-man Waterford side.

Before an attendance of 4,392 spectators Tipperary looked to have wrapped up their place in the provincial semi-final when they enjoyed an eight-point advantage, 3-11 to 0-12, with ten minutes remaining. Waterford’s prospects were damaged greatly when Owen Whelan, who had been introduced as a half-time substitute, was sent-off for a second yellow card in the 40th minute. Yet despite the bleakness of the situation, Waterford mounted a terrific rally in a pulsating finale.

They chipped away at Tipperary’s advantage courtesy of the flawless freetaking of Philip Mahony while inside attackers Brian O’Sullivan and Maurice Shanahan, who overcame injury to start, caused constant difficulties for the Premier rearguard. They had trimmed Tipperary’s advantage to six points entering injury-time before receiving a lifeline when O’Sullivan finished expertly to the net after Jake Dillon had delivered a precise pass forward.

Waterford effectively harnessed the momentum generated from that goal and nearly raised a second green flag within seconds but Pauric Mahony’s fierce whip was blocked smartly by Tipperary netminder Paul Ryan. Substitute Owen Connors flicked over a point to reduce the deficit to two but the match was then settled as a contest in the closing minute. Waterford poured forward but despite Shanahan seeming to be fouled during an attack, referee Diarmuid Kirwan waved play on and Tipperary swept downfield in clinical fashion. Paddy Murphy prised open the Waterford defence when he popped a pass through and corner-forward John O’Neill slammed home his second goal of the game.

That was the insurance score that secured Tipperary a spot in the semi-final against Cork on July 20th yet there was more relief than joy in their ranks at the final whistle after surviving that nervous finish. Ultimately Tipperary did enough in the first-half to engineer victory. They produced some spellbinding passages of play in the opening thirty minutes to lead 2-9 to 0-7 at the interval and indeed by the 24th minute they had been in the ascendancy by ten points. Tipperary, lead by their outstanding captain Noel McGrath at midfield, settled better to the rhythms of the game and dominated the key sectors of the pitch from the off.

After a feisty start to the match when a series of skirmishes developed either side of the throw-in, Tipperary grabbed the game’s opening score in the 3rd minute when Brian O’Meara was hauled to the ground after a superb catch and McGrath lashed the resultant penalty to the net. Ten minutes later Tipperary notched their second goal when Sean Curran batted home after O’Neill did the spade work. Tipperary’s hurling was sharp all around the pitch with corner-back Ciaran Haugh and wing-forward Adrian Ryan impressing most.

Waterford were guilty of poor shooting as they fired six wides in the opening twenty minutes but they managed to correct that element of their game before the break with Shanahan and O’Sullivan excelling. That duo continued to inspire the Déise after the interval and by the 39th minute Tipperary’s lead had been notably shaved to 2-9 to 0-10. However the dismissal of Whelan unsettled Waterford and Tipperary capitalised with O’Neill crashing to the net in the 44th minute after good work by O’Meara to create the chance. Tipperary should have kicked on from there but Waterford, with Jamie Barron, Philip Mahony and O’Sullivan all powering into the game, refused to wilt and came close to overhauling their opponents.

Scorers for Tipperary: J O’Neill 2-2; N McGrath 1-1 (1-0 pen); S Curran 1-0; A Ryan 0-3 each; J O’Dwyer 0-2 (0-1f); B O’Meara, B Stapleton, P Murphy, M Sheedy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: B O’Sullivan 1-4; Pauric Mahony 0-6 (0-6f); M Shanahan 0-4; J Dillon, O Connors 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: P Ryan; C Haugh, K O’Gorman, S Maher; B Stapleton, J Barry, P Heffernan; N McGrath, J Gallagher; S Curran, P Murphy, A Ryan; J O’Neill, B O’Meara, J O’Dwyer. Subs: S O’Brien for Barry (inj) (half-time), A McCormack for Gallagher (39), M Sheedy for Curran (55).

WATERFORD: S O’Keeffe; J Barron, D Fives, N Connors; P Prendergast, Philip Mahony, S Daniels; S Roche, A Brophy; E Murphy, Pauric Mahony, M O’Neill; B O’Sullivan, M Shanahan, J Dillon. Subs: O Whelan for O’Neill (half-time), O Connors for Brophy (47), E Madigan for Murphy (55).

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Review | No Comments »

Where did that year go!

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

As I stood pitch side in Croke Park last week for the photo call it was hard to get my head around the fact that another year had gone by and that we were back where we were 12 months previous.

I was delighted to be asked back again, primarily as a judge in the Bord Gáis Energy Breaking Through Player of the Year competition, but also as guest blogger and match predictor on breakingthrough.ie. The opportunity my role gives me to attend so many top class games is one that was hard to leave behind.

However I wasn’t the only one making a return.

Once again this year, Ger Cunningham (former Cork great but also the Bord Gáis Energy Sports Sponsorship Manager) is my nemesis in the online Head 2 Head competition and as Joanne Cantwell put us through our paces at the launch it was great to see that Ger was full of his old tricks – trying to prise valuable Galway hurling insights from me, but I am wise to his ways now and all he got this year was a “Yerrah”!

He’ll have to get up earlier next year to catch me out!

Ken McGrath was one of the new faces however. It will be a strange Summer of hurling as Waterford go in to battle without him patrolling the Déise rearguard. Apart from the cast on his broken thumb, he is still looking so fit and it is hard to believe that he is no longer hurling at the top level. He is one of the best players I have ever seen.

While another year would have been on his mind given that he togged out during the National League, Ken has given more than plenty over the years to the Waterford cause and nobody can begrudge him his retirement.

His new challenge though is how he adapts to the role of Breaking Through Player of the Year judge – no blue tinted specs allowed Ken!

Outside of the judging panel, there were players aplenty in HQ in their role as Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Ambassadors. In some ways it was the same old faces, or maybe I should say new faces in the same old jerseys, as I looked at the latest young guns lining up ahead of the campaign with their respective U-21 county teams.

The beauty of this competition as we all know is that this is the last true knock out competition in hurling – so unfortunately many of the players that togged out in Croke Park last week, won’t see July, never mind August.

All that training. All that heart break. All that effort. Gone in 60 minutes. The last true bastion of knock out hurling but that is what makes it so special.

There is certainly an argument in favour of knock out when you see the extra bite or the extra edge that it gives a game – but I won’t be calling for that if Westmeath beat us this Saturday night in Mullingar!

They were given no chance of beating an up and coming Carlow team in their first match and after coming through that they will have lots of confidence. Brian Hanley is also their manager (an Athenry man) and he will know us all inside out. He will have them well prepared and I should know. Brian was coach to me and a few more of the guys on the Galway U-21’s over the past few seasons.

Our own preparations are going well. We had a good win over Limerick last weekend in a challenge match. Great to see Skehill and Monty (Alan Kerins) back in a maroon jersey it has to be said.

My preparations ain’t going well though as I have had a few problems with injury for much of the season so far and it’s touch and go to see if I will be available for selection. Fingers crossed I will be fit.

Anyway, knock out or not – we’ll be ready for Westmeath.

The first knock out blow in the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Championship will be to Tipperary or Waterford as they take centre stage tonight on the very sod where the Premier County put on probably the performance of last years U-21 championship when they beat Galway in the All-Ireland Final.

It is a huge task for Waterford and for Noel Connors, one of this year’s Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Ambassadors, to go there and win. But they are a coming force and you could easily see the winner of this game going on to win Munster – and for that very reason the heart break for whoever loses will be all the greater.

I remember my first year at U-21 level with Galway. I was only 17 years of age and was selected on the bench for the game against Kilkenny. Admittedly we didn’t have the threat of knock out in June or even July, we had a long wait until August for our first taste but that All-Ireland Semi-Final date would loom large on the horizon and as it drew nearer the nerves just got bigger and bigger.

So I can appreciate exactly the nerves that the Tipp and Déise lads will be feeling as they head to Thurles this evening. U-21 is slightly more open than its senior counterpart but that makes it all the better as a player to play in and in some ways, as a spectator to watch.

You can really express yourself – but only if your man lets you! And not many will do that!

Best of luck to the lads tonight and indeed to all the players and managers and fans over the course of the Championship.

Talk to ye all soon

Joe

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Joe Blogs | No Comments »

Munster Hurling Quarter Final Preview – Tipperary v Waterford

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Bord Gáis Energy Munster Hurling U-21 Quarter Final
Tipperary v Waterford
Wednesday 1st June, Semple Stadium, 7.30pm

Noel Connors and Noel McGrath

The 2011 Bord Gáis Energy Munster Hurling U-21 Championship is surely set to be the most hotly contested in the history of the competition and this match between Tipperary and Waterford epitomises that feeling. Experts across the country are tentative, loathe to put their necks on the line and there are parties calling this one for both Tipperary and Waterford.

Last time out, back in the 2009 Munster semi final, Waterford beat Tipp with 10 points to spare in Dungarvan. The fact that the match is being played in Thurles may prove the difference this time, although Waterford will be keenly conscious that some of Tipperary’s key players, including captain Noel McGrath, were involved in a tough match against Cork in the Senior Championship just two days ago.

All-Ireland Champions Tipperary have four players straddling U-21 and senior level this year, including Noel McGrath in midfield and Brian O’Meara, Paddy Murphy and John O’Neill amongst the forwards. The team to take the field tomorrow night includes seven of the team which started last year’s All-Ireland final against Galway.

Waterford can boast seven senior players on their U-21 team including full back Noel Connors, goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe and captain Philip Mahony. A big loss is full forward Maurice Shanahan, who scored 13 points against Tipperary the last time these sides met at this level. He is out with an injured arm.

This is knock-out and Tipperary will be hard pressed to loosen their grip on the Cross of Cashel trophy this early in the year.

Tipperary: 1. P. Ryan, 2. C. Hough, 3. K. O’Gorman, 4. S. Maher, 5. B. Stapleton, 6. J. Barry, 7. P. Heffernan, 8. N. McGrath, 9. J. Gallagher, 10. S. Curran, 11. P. Murphy, 12. B. O’Meara, 13. J. O’Dwyer, 14. A. Ryan, 15. J. O’Neill

Waterford: 1. S. O’Keeffe, 2. J. Barron, 3. N. Connors, 4. P. Prendergast, 5. Philip Mahony, 6. D. Fives, 7. S. Daniels, 8. S. Roche, 9. M. O Neill, 10. E. Murphy, 11. A. Brophy, 12. Padraic Mahony, 13. B. O Sullivan, 14. E. Madigan, 15. J. Dillon

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Preview | No Comments »

What a weekend!!

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Well that was some weekend. It started off with one of the toughest days of hurling in a long time. Six games to win an All-Ireland in one day is tough work! My club Portumna were playing in the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens on Saturday.

Up at 6.30 to hit the road to Dublin and not finished until 7.30 that evening. A long day at the office but it was worth it. It was brilliant to win another All-Ireland title with the lads. It was a good laugh also and I would like to play tribute to all the people involved on the day. Kilmacud Crokes ran it superbly and it was a great day out.

From one festival of hurling to another and what a great triumph for the Tipp boys. They beat Kilkenny at their own game. Intensity and work rate right from the off. They really worked their socks off and you could see near the end that they were out on their feet.

For me, the big difference from last year was that Tipp took their goal chances this time around. When you think of it, last year, PJ Ryan, Kilkenny’s goal keeper was the Man of the Match. That in itself tells its own story.

Everybody is telling me it’s good for hurling that Tipperary won but I personally think that now it’s going to be harder to beat Kilkenny next year from a player’s point of view. They will be gunning to win another All-Ireland. But the Tipp boys won’t mind this as they have the medal in their back pocket this week. They deserved the win and I hope they enjoy their bit of down time now because of the time and effort they have put in to win this.

This sets it up nicely now for next Saturday. It will be extra special with Tipperary going for the senior and U-21 double. There are still questions marks over the venue around home here in Galway and hopefully it will not affect the lad’s mindset for the match.

I mentioned a few weeks back that I love Thurles as a venue but I understand totally why the management team doesn’t want to play the game in Tipp’s own back yard. It’s a game of inches afterall and things like familiarity with a pitch and its surroundings can be crucial. Like would Tipp agree to play the final in Pearse Stadium or Athenry? I don’t think they would to be honest.

As for the game itself, the couple of lads that were involved with the seniors will be full of confidence going into the game. I thought myself that Padraic Maher was unreal and my Man of the Match. He was in the right place at the right time the whole way through the game. Noel and Brendan were very good too and if Galway are to have any chance of causing an upset these three will have to be stopped, or hope, that they will have an off day.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Joe Blogs | No Comments »

« Older Entries