De La Salle Waterford-Munster Senior Hurling Champions -08 after thrilling victory against Adare

Adare who led by 5 points at half time dominated the first half of this exciting and sporting game-played at Semple Stadium. Were it not for some bad shooting Adare might possibly have been out of sight at half time.
Liam Costello ,Conor Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Sexton notched points for Adare.
The De La Salle forwards could make no headway against an Adare defence ably marshalled by Mark Foley. Indeed the Adare defenders hunted in packs. John Mullane frequently found himself confronted by two Adare defenders.
In the first half the De La Salle team had absolutely no pattern to its play

However the second half was a different story. Brian Phelan scored De La Salle’s first point a minute into the half. De la Salle manager Eoin Dunphy wrung the changes for this half. These had the desired effect. Daniels and Richardson played particularly well when they came on. Costello notched two points to push Adare into a seven-point lead.
Phelan pointed again for De La Salle before Mullane snapped up a loose ball, outside the Adare square, and turned onto his left before rocketing a shot to the Adare net. Mullane was now on fire.

That 41st-minute goal was the turning point in the game. Seamus Richardson and Mullane tacked on two more points for De La Salle.
The De La Salle defence snuffed out the Adare forward line with Michael Doherty and Kevin Moran particularly to the fore. Michael Doherty could make the Waterford Senior hurling panel. Donncha Sheehan managed to edge Adare ahead again. John Mullane and Thomas Kearney notched points for De La Salle to ensure victory for the Waterford side.

2008 has been a historic year for the De La Salle club. It has won both the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship and the Munster Senior Hurling title for the first time. All the promise shown at juvenile level has come to fruition. John Mullane who should have won an All Star award will feel particularly happy with the successes of his club.
There are excellent photographs of the game at Ken Sutton photostream on Flickr

Ballyduff -Waterford Senior Hurling Champions

Today Ballyduff Upper captained by Stephen Molumphy won their third Waterford Senior Hurling Championship defeating Ballygunner on a score of 1-18 to 1-14. Today also marks the 25th anniversary of their first Senior Hurling Championship victory.
This is a momentous achievement for a small club on the Cork border. It is hemmed in by Lismore, Ballysaggart and Tallow in Co. Waterford and by Kilworth, Fermoy , Conna and Araglin on the Cork side. Consequently it has a very small pick. However it has an incredible community spirit.
Since January the team has had 120-130 training sessions in addition to games.

This victory has major significance for Waterford Hurling. The Senior Hurling Championship has been dominated by Ballygunner and Mt. Sion for the last 17 years. It marks a shift in the centre of gravity to the west. This will undoubtedly infuse country clubs with a greater determination and enthusiasm to challenge the might of Ballygunner and Mt. Sion in the 2008 Championship. Clubs such as Abbeyside, Fourmilewater, Lismore, Tallow ,Stradbally and Ardmore will secretly fancy their chances. Whilst in the city De La Salle are capable of defeating Mt. Sion or Ballygunner.
Congratulations to the Ballduff panel and backroom staff. The selectors are Maurice Geary (Manager) Mossie Casey and Paudie Prendergast.