Senior Hurling Qualifier: Waterford V Offaly

Waterford’s defeat of Offaly in this All Ireland Senior Hurling Qualifier was not too surprising. The game played at Semple Stadium Thurles featured some quality hurling from both sides.
Offaly backboned by u-21s is a team on the rise. Offaly players in general displayed high skill levels with excellent blocking, hooking and some deft flicks. They tackled furiously and at times knocked Waterford players out of their stride. However some needless frees were conceded. Nevertheless J Bergin, D Currams, S Dooley, D Molloy and D Kenny amongst others are players for the future. Offaly manager Joe Dooley has put in place firm foundations.

What of Waterford? The performance was like the curate's egg good in places and bad in places.
Looking at it positively the full back line did not concede any goals. However the half back line has its problems. In general the back line is not watertight enough and tighter marking is required. Loose Offaly players were noticeable throughout the game.

There were stellar performances from Eoin Kelly and John Mullane in the forward line. Eoin Kelly contributed 2-13 (0-9 from placed balls). The forward line is not functioning as a unit. Seamus Prendergast and Dan Shanahan may not be fully fit. Both had injury problems. Movement off the ball and support play is not as it should be for an effective forward line. To a certain extent some players are inclined to overplay the ball. On drier grounds more ground hurling is essential against teams such-as Wexford-which favour continuous picking of the ball. In addition it speeds up the game.

It was noticeable that on a couple of occasions the Offaly goalkeeper caught the Waterford forwards off guard and took a short puck out to a defender.
Some Waterford players need to speed up their striking. They are too easily hooked and blocked down.

Wexford will enter the quarter-final game against Waterford as firm favourites. I suspect that Waterford Manager Davy Fitzgerald will not be too unhappy with this state of affairs.

Peter Queally-new Waterford Senior Hurling selector

Peter Queally has played Senior Hurling and Football for Waterford. He has coached Waterford Minor Hurlers and is the current coach of Ballygunner.

Maurice Geary-new Waterford Senior Hurling selector

Maurice Geary has won two Waterford Senior Hurling medals with Ballyduff Upper in 1982 and 1987 and has a successful track record as a coach at the old CBS school Lismore. He coached Ballyduff Upper to victory in the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship in 2007.

Waterford Co Board-ratifies Davy Fitzgerald, Maurice Geary and Peter Queally as new management team

Tonight at a meeting of the Waterford Co Board in Dungarvan Davy Fitzgerald- star former Clare goalkeeper was ratified as the new manager of the Waterford Senior Hurling team.
He will be accompanied by Maurice Geary of Ballyduff Upper and Peter Queally of Ballydurn. Davy Fitzgerald has won two All Ireland Senior Hurling medals with Clare. He has coached LIT to two Fitzgibbon Cup victories and has a strong club coaching record. He is sure to bring energy and enthusiasm to the task.

GAA:Justin McCarthy steps down as Waterford Senior Hurling manager

Today sadly Justin McCarthy resigned as Waterford Senior Hurling Manager on the basis that he had lost the support of some of the players. Tonight the County Board accepted his resignation. Selectors Seamie Hannon, Michael Ryan and Nicky Cashin have resigned also. The Board has now set in train the process to find a new manager.

Justin's seven years as Manager have been quite successful. In this period Waterford has won three Munster Senior Hurling titles and one National League title. As a hurling purist McCarthy greatly improved the players' skill levels. Waterford confronted and defeated teams such as Cork and Tipperary in some of the greatest hurling games that I have ever seen. McCarthy instilled a will and determination to win. This had been missing heretofore. Waterford players no longer suffered from an inferiority complex.

It was no secret that all was not well in the camp for some time and that some players were unhappy with the manager. The have finally got their way. Can they now deliver the exclusive All Ireland? One thing is certain. This is an appalling mess in the middle of the hurling season.

There is speculation as to the likely replacement. Names such as Eddie O'Connor, Donal O'Grady, Tom Ryan and Nicky Cashin have been mentioned. It is probably best if a manager is chosen from outside the county. Such a manager can take hard decisions and keep inter club rivalry at bay.

Statement by Justin McCarthy:

"Today I informed the Chairman of Waterford County Board that I intend to step down as manager of the Waterford Senior Hurling team. I made the decision as I feel I no longer have the full support of all the players on the team. I would like to thank the County Board for their co-operation, and for the support they have always given me, and I wish the players and the new management team every success in the future. I also want to thank the selectors and backroom team, and the great loyal supporters who have followed Waterford through thick and thin. Over the last seven years Waterford has enjoyed unprecedented success on the hurling field and I am privileged to have been involved with such a great team. I regret that my decision to step down has come in the middle of the championship season, however I feel it is the best course of action for everybody involved. I will be making no further comment at this time."

End of Statement