Waterford 2-13 Clare 0-13
Waterford booked their spot in the New York senior final by seeing off the Clare challenge. This was a rather robust physical encounter where there was no quarter asked or given. Indeed there were a few very disconcerting elements in this battle. There were pugilistic incidents before a ball was pucked, at the break and after the final whistle. Apologists will claim it was handbag stuff, but the reality is that it tarnishes the great game of hurling. I’ve also been amazed at the ease that a few players, supposedly tough men, go to the ground after being tackled. Invariably they grab their head, though it was not touched by the ground or a hurley. This gamesmanship is despicable and disreputable. [For coverage of All Ireland hurling semifinals, click here.]
Meanwhile there was plenty of good hurling played, with little between the sides for most of the game. However, the goals were critical. Also Waterford was a tad more efficacious in converting their possession into scores. Though Darren O’Brien opened the scoring for Clare, Waterford replied with three points from Donal Parr, their chief sharp-shooter. Clare soon levelled up with two fine points from Declan Fahey and Darren O’Brien. The Deci Boys stepped up production as Declan Parr and Ciaran Kirwin sent over two long range points. Midway in the period Waterford led by five points after Martin Callen scored the goal. However Clare battled back to put three unanswered points on the board courtesy of Sean Dilger, Shane Golden and Cathal Darcy. It was tit for tat for the last few minutes of the half as both teams would add three points. Donal Parr had the trio for his team, while Darren O’Brien(2) and Killian McDermott got Clare’s to leave Waterford leading by 1-8 to 0-9 at the break.
Clare dominated the opening stanza of the second half to hit three points and take the lead by virtue of a brace from Darren O’Brien and one from the indefatigable Sean Collins. Indeed they should have moved further ahead but dropped shots and wides don’t advance the scoreboard. Despite great pressure Conor Lynch got his team level with a peach of a point from the corner. Declan Parr regained the lead with a pointed free and the lead was extended with another free. Then came the decisive score that basically sealed the issue with ten minutes left. Aiden O’Brien goaled, opening up a five-point gap. Killian McDermott got one back, but Clare needed a goal. Staunch defending by James Cronin, James Bermingham, Colin Foley and company ensured there was nothing soft. Indeed Clare didn’t help their own case, as they had chances, but missed or squandered them. Waterford were deserving winners and they meet Tipperary in the final.
Waterford: John Joe Joyce, Mick Ward, James Cronin, Colin Foley, James Bermingham, Darren O’Donoghue, Lar McDonald, John Power, Willie Brazil, Evan Hunt, Donal Parr(0-9), Martin Callen(1-0), Conor Lynch(0-1), Cillian Kirwin(0-2), Aiden O’Brien(1-1). Subs Emmet Hunter, Cormac Condon, Peter Gallagher, Ryan Mulligan, Cormac O’Kane.
Clare: Ronan Callinan, Sean Collins(0-1), Enna Barry, Tadgh Connellan, Cian O’Dee, Shane Golden(0-1), Fionn O’Reilly, Cathal O’Carroll, Cathal Darcy(0-1), Trevor Fallon, Killian McDermott(0-1), Dylan Mulligan, Declan Fahey(0-1), Darren O’Brien(0-5), Sean Dilger(0-2). Subs. Cillian O’Donoghue. Ryan Mulligan, Aidan Kennedy, Pearse Brophy, Daniel Gaughan, Paudie Kyne, Joe Cullen. Player of Match, Donal Parr, Referee Chris Dalton.
Exciting semi
Tipperary 1-18 Westmeath 0-16
This hurling semifinal was another keenly contested and exciting affair, and there was less physicality and fewer altercations than in the other semifinal. Tipperary now goes forward to meet Waterford in the final.
Meanwhile Westmeath opened the scoring with a pointed free from David Mangan, but Conor Hammersley responded with a fine long range effort from the wing. The first quarter was fairly tentative as Westmeath had three points and Tipperary just two at the first hydration break. On resumption, proceedings became more offensive oriented. Conor Hammersley leveled up, and the “forty man” on the other side spurned a good goal chance. Tipperary jumped ahead on the back of three pointed frees from Conor Hammersly (aka Hammer), and he certainly does hammer the scores home. Then the action swung to the other side where Mark Caulfield pointed from play and Ruadman Mulrooney pointed a free after Henry Keyes was fouled.
Tipperary were having the better of the exchanges as sterling defensive work left it very difficult for Westmeath to score. Tipp’s corner men Caulfield and Ryan added two points. Still Westmeath looked dangerous on counter attacks as keeper Robinson denied Adam Loughlin-Stones a goal at the expense of a “65”, which David Mangan pointed. Tipp went in leading by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.
Westmeath started the second half strongly and in the first five minutes they had put four points on the board and grabbed the lead. David Mangan had three of these and Liam O’Shea had the other. The lead didn’t last for long as Mangan levelled up after a great pass from Luke Prendergast. Now it was tit for tat with both sides landing some fine long range points. One was particularly a great individual effort from Westmeath’s Conor Caulfield. Tipp’s Pat Ryan’ the former Limerick player, was beginning to show his power and prowess up front but keeper Dan Mottram brilliantly saved one of his goal-bound efforts. With ten minutes left it was all square at 0-14 each. Then Tipp tapped on two points courtesy of AJ Willis and James Keyes. However it was the next score that sealed the issue, and that was the goal from Pat Ryan. It was without a doubt the best score in the match. Now Westmeath needed a goal to get back in the hunt, but had to settle with late points from Ger McPartland and Mangan. Tipp closed out their account with points from Conor Hammersly and Ruadman Mulrooney.
Tipperary: Keith Robinson, Darragh Hynes, Bryan Power, James Keys(0-1), Darragh Peters, Colin O’Brien, Tom O’Meara(0-1), Johnny Burns, Henry Keyes, AJ Willis(0-1), Conor Hammersly(0-7), Tommy Kavanagh, Mark Caulfield(0-1), Ruadman Mulrooney (0-4), Pat Ryan(1-2). Subs Frankie Kennedy, Mikey Sheedy(0-1), Kevin Bulfin, Bill Maher, Joey Grace, Liam Donovan, Ross Butler
Westmeath: Dan Mottram, Alan Sherlock, Sean O’Leary, Brian McPartland, Conor Caulfield(0-1), Tommy O’Connell, Gary Corless, Dean Poyton, Ultan O’Connor, Steve Colgan, Adam Loughlin-Stones, Ger McPartland(0-1), Luke Prendergast(0-1), David Mangan(0-13), Liam O’Shea(0-1). Subs Evan Curly, Pearse Donnelly, Neil Franco, Aidan McKiernan, Brendan O’Leary, Sean Stones, Dan Sammon, John Comerford, Liam Butler. Man of Match Pat Ryan, Referee Simon Murphy.
Westmeath in control
Westmeath 4-17 Donegal 2-10
Westmeath gave a very commanding performance once they got into their stride as they easily brushed aside Donegal’s challenge in the second half. Meanwhile Donegal got the perfect start to the game as Eamon O’Colum blasted the ball into the net on their first attack. Indeed O’Colum looked to have set the stage for another goal but Pat Guerin brilliantly saved Niall O’Donnell’s shot. Once play switched to the other side, Westmeath’s chief marksman, Jack Savage, the former Kerry player, got the Lakesiders on the board. Then a good pass from big Niall Mitchell set up Killian Butler for their second score.
After ten minutes Westmeath went ahead, thanks to a rather fortuitous goal. Scorer Shane Fagan appeared to be aiming for a point but the shot dipped deceivingly under the crossbar. Westmeath pushed ahead with two further points, but on a counter-attack keeper Guerin was forced to execute a fine save to deny Eamon O’Conlon. However for the next quarter this shot seemed to inspire and invigorate Donegal as they put five unanswered points on the board courtesy of Niall O’Donnell(2) Eamon O’Conlon, Kyle Higgins and Sean McCabe. Indeed McCabe’s shot was destined for the net but it was deflected over the bar. Donegal edged ahead but a fine long range point from Emmett O’Congaile had the sides level with 5 five minutes left in the period. Then full-forward and target man Niall Mitchell knocked the ball into the net for a goal. Both sides had late points Cillian Butler for the Lakesiders, and Niall O’Donnell for Tir Connell, to leave the score at 2-6 to 1-6 at the intermission.
The second half was radically different as Westmeath moved in a strong phalanx formation across the field subjecting Donegal to nearly relentless pressure. Cillian Butler began a scoring spree, first by punching over a point and then banged in a goal after Niall Mitchell supplied a timely pass. By the end of the third quarter Westmeath had added 1-6, with the points coming from Jack Savage, Cillian Butler Emmett O’ Congaile and company, while Donegal’s account was still stationary from the first half. Tiernan McLoughlin did end the scoring drought and their chief scorer O’Donnell kicked over a point as well. S
till Westmeath were very much in control as Eric Lourdes left his defensive post to score a goal, with Niall Mitchell once again the provider. Eamon O’Colum did manage to goal for Donegal as he capitalized on a rare Westmeath miscue. Jack Savage added a few more points to complete a very productive game, while Eamon O’Colum finished Donegal’s account. At this stage Westmeath look to be a strong favorite for championship honors.
Westmeath: Pat Guerin, Niall Donohue, Israel Illuga, Boidu Sayeh, Eric Lourdes(1-0), Rob Wharton, Conor Coughlan, Emmett O’Congaile(0-2), Adam Loughlin Stones, Jordan Ajawi(0-1), Jack Savage(0-7), Shane Fagan(1-0), Killian Butler(1-2), Niall Mitchell(1-1), , Dan O’Sullivan(0-1). Subs Stephan Nolan, Killian Coleman, Brian Travers, Stephen Monaghan(0-1), Darragh Carmody, Sean Moore, Conor Lynam,
Donegal: Jack Callinane, Eoghan Doddy, Tommy Carpenter, Ben Tyrell, Stephen O’Quigley, Cian Deane, John Brennan, Kyle Higgins(0-1), Stephen Finnegan, Rory Mulligan, Sean McCabe(0-1), Alex Harvey, Peter McNeilis, Niall O’Donnell(0-6), Eamon O’Conlon(2-1). Subs Conor Tinney, Colm Doherty(0-1), Eoin Curry, Thomas Shalvey, Tiernan McLoughlin, Pat Devlin, Evan Mulgrew. Player of Match Niall Mitchell, Referee Shane Hogan
