Allainz NHL Division 1 – Waterford 2-20 Limerick 2-10

Waterford defeated Limerick by 2-20 to 2-10 in Round 3 of the Allianz GAA Hurling National League Division 1 on Sunday in Fraher Field Dungarvan.

Early McNamara brace not enough for ‘tired’ Limerick

From the Irish Independent newspaper

Waterford 2-20 Limerick 2-10

Monday March 15 2010

Limerick manager Justin McCarthy does not seem to be going anywhere, not for the time being at least. On Saturday a statement released by the County Board indicated that although letters had been received from five clubs requesting a debate on the issue, no formal proposal was received and therefore the letters were sent back to the clubs. The ball would now appear to be back in the club’s court as they seek to oust McCarthy from the position. McCarthy himself will not make it easy for those who wish to see him out of the job. On this game, McCarthy said that it was “our worst display” of the league to date saying: “They were a bit tired. We trained hard during the week. I’m not making excuses but it could have been a factor.”

Limerick got off to a great start in this game in Dungarvan as they scored two goals in the first 11 minutes. Full-forward Paudie McNamara got the final touch on each occasion as he gave Waterford full-back Mark O’Brien a torrid first half. However, Waterford rallied and, led superbly by Eoin Kelly at midfield, they fought their way back into the game and were level by half-time, mainly thanks to a Kelly goal from a 21-yard free. The first half included 14 minutes of injury-time following a lengthy stoppage as Limerick goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn received treatment after a collision with Waterford corner-forward Eoin McGrath. Flynn eventually left the field in an ambulance and was replaced by debutant Barry Hennessy. Hennessy was given no chance for Waterford’s second goal, scored by centre-forward Kevin Moran four minutes after the interval. The Limerick defence failed to deal with a long delivery into the half-back line, Moran snapped up the loose ball before firing in the top corner. This goal was the highlight of an impressive third quarter for Waterford as they shook off the lethargic challenge of Limerick.

Following an unimpressive first half, Waterford manager introduced John Mullane at half-time for his season opener. Mullane looked very sharp throughout the second half, as did fellow substitute Seamus Prendergast, who notched three points from play as Waterford ran away from Limerick to score a facile victory. The game’s most impressive performer was Waterford wing-back Jamie Nagle who impressed with his neat stickwork as well as his ability to field Limerick puck-outs. The inability of the Limerick half-forward line to win primary possession was a feature of the game.

Scorers — Waterford: E Kelly 1-10 (1-0 pen, 0-8f, 0-1 ’65), K Moran 1-2, M Shanahan 0-3, R Foley, S Prendergast 0-2 each, J Mullane 0-1. Limerick: P McNamara 2-0, T O’Brien 0-3 (0-3f), N Quaid, A O’Connor (0-2f), B O’Sullivan 0-2 each, C Mullane 0-1.

Waterford — C Hennessy; E Murphy, M O’Brien, N Connors; A Kearney, S O’Sullivan, J Nagle; E Kelly, R Foley; T Connors, K Moran, S Molumphy; E McGrath, S Walsh, M Shanahan. Subs: S Prendergast for Connors, Mullane for McGrath, T Ryan for Molumphy, E Whelan for Walsh.

Limerick — T Flynn; D Flynn, D Kenny, S O’Neill; L O’Dwyer, A Brennan, D Madden; N Quaid, P Browne; B O’Sullivan, J O’Brien, C Mullane; G Mulcahy, P McNamara, A O’Connor. Subs: B Hennessy for Flynn, T O’Brien for O’Connor, P Harty for Mullane, R McKeon for Mulcahy, M Deegan for Madden.

Ref — J Ryan (Tipperary)

Clinical Déise cover all the angles

Waterford 2-20 Limerick 2-10

By Michael Moynihan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, March 15, 2010

YESTERDAY’S encounter in Fraher Field, Dungarvan, came with more angles than a bagful of squares: Justin McCarthy, formerly of Waterford, back in the Déise with Limerick. Eoin Kelly, Dan Shanahan and John Mullane coming back into contention for Waterford. James O’Brien back for Limerick. And hanging over everything, that long-running stand-off on Shannonside between management and players.

We had a Division One NHL game as well, of course. Limerick had a goal inside twenty seconds thanks to Paudie McNamara’s neat catch and turn, and within six minutes they had another: Brian O’Sullivan dropped a ball into the square, and with McNamara distracting the Waterford defence, the ball went all the way to the net. Limerick 2-0, Wateford 0-1. “That’s the second week in-a-row we’ve conceded early goals,” said Davy Fitzgerald after the game. “Mark (O’Brien) settled after that but he’s a good player (McNamara), good in the air. We just don’t need that kind of start. No team does. Caught with two sucker punches, the crowd gets a bit edgy … but we settled after that.”

Waterford got on track thanks to the accuracy of Eoin Kelly and Kevin Moran’s industry, but were still two goals behind when the game changed decisively: matters came to a complete halt for almost a quarter of an hour halfway through the first half to allow the ambulance on to the field following a neck injury to Limerick goalkeeper Tadhg Flynn. The break in play did nothing for Limerick’s concentration, and they failed to score for the rest of the half. Waterford made light of the disruption with points from Kelly (two) and Moran cutting Limerick’s lead to four. The home defence was also getting on top as the half wore on, and with five minutes to the break Kelly goaled a 21-metre free. Moran added another point and the sides were level at the break – 1-7 to 2-4 – despite Limerick’s dream start.

“There were a few words,” said Fitzgerald of the half-time break. “Mainly I told them not to panic. We missed four or five goal chances and we’ve got to take those.” They did after the break, with 1-3 in five minutes. The goal came courtesy of Shane Walsh flipping a Brian O’Driscoll-style offload to Kevin Moran, and the game was as good as over. Limerick battled but Waterford could call on Seamus Prendergast and John Mullane to add cutting and class to their attack, and the home side weren’t flattered by a ten-point winning margin. They were able to rattle off 13 second-half scores and Limerick’s forwards found the going hard against an in-form Aidan Kearney and Jamie Nagle. “This was probably our worst display of the league so far,” said Justin McCarthy. “Our lads might have been a bit tired. I’m not making excuses but we trained hard during the week, and younger lads need to get used to that.

Fitzgerald has a visit from in-form Cork to look forward to next week: “If we play like that against Cork we’ll be well beaten. I’ve no illusions about that.” McCarthy and his management team may face their biggest challenge in the committee room, given the Limerick County Board’s statement on Saturday night acknowledging the urgent need to arrange its next meeting. Meanwhile Gary Hurney has withdrawn from the Waterford senior hurling panel. The big full-forward played two weeks ago against Galway in the Deise’s NHL defeat in Salthill but has now left the panel. Waterford football boss John Owens may invite Hurney, a noted footballer, onto the county football panel. *A minute’s silence was held in honour of the late Pat Fanning of Mount Sion and Waterford, former President of the GAA, who died yesterday.

Scorers for Waterford: E. Kelly 1-10 (0-5 fs, 0-1 65); K. Moran 1-2; M. Shanahan 0-3; R. Foley, S. Prendergast 0-2 each; J. Mullane 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: B. O’Sullivan 1-1; T. O’Brien 0-4 (fs); P. McNamara 1-0; N. Quaid A. O’Connor 0-2 (fs) each; C. Mullane 0-1.

Subs: S. Prendergast for Connors, 25; J. Mullane for McGrath, HT; T. Ryan for Molumphy, 54; O. Whelan for S. Walsh, 64.

Subs: B. Hennessy for Flynn, 18; T. O’Brien for A. O’Connor, 32; P. Harty for Mullane, 47; R. McKeogh for Mulcahy, 64; M. Deegan for Madden, 70.

Referee: J. Ryan (Tipperary)

Team News

Limerick Senior Hurling Team Allianz National Hurling League v Waterford

1. Tadhg Flynn Ahane

2. David Lynch Na Piarsaigh

3. Des Kenny Ballybrown

4. Shane O Neill South Liberties

5. Lorcan O Dwyer Pallasgreen

6. Andrew Brennan Caherline

7. Dean Madden Bruff

8 Nicky Quaid Effin

9. Paul Browne Bruff

10. Brian O Sullivan Kilmallock

11. James O’Brien Bruree

12. Cathal Mullane Killeedy

13. Graeme Mulcahy Kilmallock

14. Paudie McNamara Murroe Boher

15. Alan O Connor Ballybrown

16. Barry Hennessy Kilmallock

17. Kieran O Rourke Bruree

18. Mark Deegan Hospital/Herbertstown

19. Cian Hayes Kildimo

20. Peter Harty Patrickswell

21. Thomas O Brien Patrickswell

22. Anthony Owens South Liberties

23. Richard McKeogh Kildimo

24. Sean Herlihy Monagea