Waterford hurlers battle back, outduel Kilkenny

By Mark Jones

The National Hurling League burst into life with a vengeance Sunday when Waterford staged a monumental recovery to shock favorites Kilkenny in an enthralling Div. 1B game at Nowlan Park. Trailing at one stage by 1-7 to no score, Waterford turned on the style to emerge victorious by 1-15 to 1-13.

This stunning fightback kept a crowd of 16,000 on its toes right to the death, and when the result had sunk in, Waterford’s manager, Gerald McCarthy, described the performance as good as any since he took charge in 1996.

The victory catapulted Waterford to the top of the division with a 100 percent record from three outings. But while there was justifiable praise for the Munster team’s resurgence, questions over Kilkenny’s staying power were left hanging.

Inspired by Henry Shefflin, Charlie Carter and Brian McEvoy in attack, the home side produced hurling of such exuberance and quality during the first half that Waterford were made to look like bystanders. On three occasions, the lead ballooned out to 10 points.

But Tony Browne and Dan Shanahan had other ideas, and as Brian Flannery gradually came to grips with the marauding Kilkenny forwards, the balance of power began inexorably to shift. Paul Flynn hit 0-9, including five frees and two 65s, Shanahan fired in a priceless goal and, with eight minutes left, Ken McGrath put Waterford in front for the first time.

There were no such fireworks at Enniscorthy where Tipperary’s 0-20 to 1-15 victory over Wexford kept the Munster county in second place in the table with full points from two games. Despite a tight finish, the scoreline failed to reflect Tipp’s superiority over the 70 minutes.

An understrength Wexford had goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry to thank as he pulled off three marvelous saves coming up to the break as Tipp threatened finish off the contest. Fitzhenry also converted a penalty and struck a long-range free, but he and his teammates were helped by the winners’ total of 14 wides.

With Mark O’Leary bagging five points from play and Eugene O’Neill finding the range from frees, Tipp were always in control although without four or five key players, Wexford manager Joachim Kelly said he was happy enough that his team was just "a puck of a ball" away from a surprise win.

Cork 4-21, Laois 0-11

Having been rocked by the resignation of manager Padraig Horan and his selectors last week, it wasn’t much of a surprise that Laois’ miserable season continued at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, where Cork cruised.

With Laois country secretary Liam O’Neill in charge of the team following Horan’s departure over differences with several players who were refusing to play in the league, it was always going to be easy for Cork and they were 3-10 to 0-5 in front at the break with Kevin Murray (2) and Neil Ronan scoring the goals.

The result leaves Laois without a win and at the bottom of the table, while Cork now have a game in hand on the leaders, Waterford.

Galway 2-18, Dublin 1-17

Galway kept their campaign on the right track with a third successive victory in Div. 1A. However, they were lucky to get away with a four-point margin over Dublin at Ballinasloe.

Now almost certain of a place in the semifinals following earlier victories over Offaly and Clare, Galway got a boost with an early Fergal Healy goal and with Rory Gantley firing over 10 points, including nine frees, the Connacht champions appeared to be in control going into the second half.

But Dublin roused themselves as Tomas McGrane struck five frees to add to Ciaran Brady’s goal and there was just three points between the teams with four minutes left. With Dublin hot in pursuit of another goal, Healy soothed Galway’s nerves with a good point from the left.

Clare 3-22, Antrim 3-11

Clare remain hot on Galway’s heels after beating Antrim at Casement Park. The Banner county’s second victory of the season was achieved without the services of Anthony Daly, Sean McMahon, Ollie Baker, Brian Lohan and Jamesie O’Connor, but the regulars were not missed as Antrim were generally outclassed.

Alan Markham was on hand for two goals, while Fergal Hegarty grabbed another and Ken Ralph contributed seven points. As the contest petered out, Antrim managed three goals from Conor McCambridge, Johnny McIntosh and Ronan Donnelly, but these were all in between a succession of Clare points.

Limerick 1-20, Offaly 0-14

Limerick’s triumph over Offaly at the Gaelic Grounds keeps them in second place with Clare and on course for the playoffs. With an average age of just 22, Eamonn Cregan’s youngsters were too sharp for an out-of-sorts Offaly.

Barry Foley’s nine points, a goal from Brian Begley and a masterly defensive performance by T.J. Ryan were central to Limerick’s triumph, while the Offaly attack was a major disappointment.

Other games

Meath went clear at the top of Div. 2 with a convincing 3-16 to 0-7 triumph over Tyrone at Dunmoyle, where Fergus McMahon hit a hat trick of goals in the span of 10 minutes. Down hold on to second place after a 4-19 to 0-5 demolition of Armagh at Ballycran, and Westmeath’s 1-14 to 1-11 success against Wicklow leaves them in third.

Also, Carlow kept in the hunt when they were too strong for Kildare at Dr. Cullen Park, where it finished 2-16 to 1-10, and London registered a first victory of the season with a 1-20 to 0-7 verdict over Roscommon at Athleague.

The logjam at the top of Div. 3 continued with Louth, Longford and Sligo all together on four points. Louth were not in action, but Longford got the better of Monaghan by 3-5 to 2-5 and Sligo defeated Fermanagh by 1-13 to 1-7.