SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ferrybank’s Senior hurlers qualified for the quarter-finals of this year’s Senior Hurling Championship with a thrilling two-point win over Clonea in Walsh Park on Saturday afternoon on a scoreline of 2-23 to 1-24. This was a game of two halves, as Clonea dominated the opening half, and went in with an eight-point lead, but Ferrybank were a different animal in the second-half, outscoring their opponents 2-12 to 0-08 to record a deserved win.
In the opening minutes, quick fire points were exchanged with Neil O’Sullivan and Mark O’Brien scoring for Ferrybank. The next seven minutes was tough going for the team however as Clonea goaled from a 20-metre free as the defence was caught napping, followed by another three unanswered points. A fine point from Ruaidhri McGarrity from a pass from Mark O’Brien stemmed the tide a small bit. Clonea kept up the pressure with quick passing and movement, and this was reflected with another three quick points in the space of a couple of minutes, and only some last ditch defending prevented a second goal for Clonea.
Ferrybank slowly got back a bit of confidence, with three points from Mark O’Brien (2) and Neil O’Sullivan to leave it at 1-09 to 0-06. Both sides began to cancel each other out for points, as the opening half wore on, with Mark O’Brien putting over five points for Ferrybank, to leave it 1-16 to 0-11 at the break.
No doubt, a few harsh words were said at the half-time team talk, and it certainly paid dividends as within the opening minute a pass from Ruaidhri McGarrity found Robbie Carew all alone, and a first time strike on the ground saw the ball go straight into the corner of the net, giving the Clonea goalkeeper no chance. This was a real lift for the team, and points followed from Neil O’Sullivan and Mark O’Brien that closed the gap to three points. Things got even better for Ferrybank, when a long clearance from Cormac O’Driscoll saw a great catch from MJ Sutton, who evaded a couple of defenders, and one-on-one with the goalie, drilled the ball to the net to level it up.
With the Ferrybank supporters getting right behind the team, Ferrybank tightened up considerably, with the defence giving nothing silly away. A fine long-range point from wingback John Ahern levelled it up again. Ferrybank were starting to create a few goal chances, and MJ Sutton was very unlucky when the ball spilled out of his hand when going through on goal, and when the ball was kept alive, Ruaidhri McGarrity mis-hit his shot. Clonea edged two points clear again, but this did not knock the team, as three unanswered points from Mark O’Brien (2) and Robbie Carew saw the lads edge one clear.
A pointed free from Clonea levelled the game up, but as the game entered the final ten minutes, a big moment in the game, saw a brilliant save from Jo-Jo O’Driscoll, when the Clonea forward was bearing down on goal, and his close range shot saw Jo save it, and ball was cleared to safety. The Ferrybank defence in the second half were giving very little away, with Cormac Heffernan marshalling at centre back, with Caolan MacCathmhaoil, John Ahern, Graham Coady, Ryan Tierney, and Stephen O’Kane chipping in as well. A fine catch from Ruaidhri McGarrity led to another fine point, and MJ Sutton was unlucky not to get his second goal, after evading a defender he turned onto his left, only to see his shot hit the bar, but crucially go over to extend the lead to three. Clonea never went away, and replied with two quick points to reduce the gap. However, Ferrybank were not going to leave this game behind, as super points from Luke Flynn and Robbie Carew followed. With the game entering injury time, Clonea once again got back to a point and with possession now crucial a foul on Neil O’Sullivan saw Mark O’Brien put it over to put them two ahead. One final attack from Clonea came to nothing, as the Ferrybank defence dealt with it and the final whistle sounded amid joyous scenes.
A great win for the team, who never gave up, and despite being 9 points down at one stage kept battling, and crucially, played and worked as a team. It’s now onto the quarter-finals with Mount Sion up next. The game takes place this coming Friday, August 16th at Walsh Park, with a 6:45pm throw-in. Once again, all support will be appreciated on the night. This has been a great learning curve for the team up in the Senior ranks, and with a number of minors in the team as well, they will only improve from it.
PANEL: Cormac O’Driscoll, Graham Coady, Ryan Tierney, Stephen O’Kane, Caolan MacCathmhaoil, Cormac Heffernan, John Ahern (0-01), Neil O’Sullivan (0-03), Izaak Richards, Darryl Griffin, Robbie Carew (1-02), Luke Flynn (-1), Mark O’Brien (0-13), MJ Sutton (1-01), Ruaidhri McGarrity (0-02). Naoise MacCathmhaoil, Seamus Burtchaell, Dean Clarke, Shane Oates, Damien Ahern, Kyle Daly, Tommy Carew, Jay Bagge, Lee Clarke, Lochlann Flanagan, Eimhin Burns, Eoin O’Neill, Tommy Carew.
MINOR HURLING:
The combined Ferrybank / St. Saviour’s side will wrap up their Minor Hurling round-robin campaign this coming Wednesday, August 14th with a home game in Ferrybank against Lismore with a 7:15pm throw-in. After this match, the team will enter the semi-finals of the competition.
UNDER 12 HURLING:
Our Under 12 hurlers played St. Oliver’s at home on Friday night. It was a good tough game against a strong St. Oliver’s side and we recorded a victory. Team on the night was Tadgh, Jack, Jackson, Alex, Logan, Dion, Micky, Oscar, Conor, Jamie, Sam, Ben, Matthew, Darragh, Conor and Francis.
All the boys played a big part in a very close game. Thanks to St. Oliver’s for travelling such a distance and contributing to a great game.
U11 HURLING:
Our U11 hurlers have a home blitz against St. Mary’s and Kilrossanty this coming Tuesday at 6:30pm. All support greatly appreciated on the night
U10 HURLING:
Our U10 hurlers were in action in a blitz in St. Molleran’s on Saturday playing the hosts and also Clashmore/Kinsalebeg. It was a lovely morning for hurling and the boys did really well in both games, taking some fine scores along the way.
COUNTY DUTY:
Well done to Zara, Karimat, and Bella who represented the Waterford Under 14 Camogie teams in the national blitz in Dublin on Saturday. The girls represented the ‘Stripe’ team, and won their division, defeating Monaghan, Carlow, and Offlay in the final. It was then onto Croke Park on Sunday where all the teams paraded at the half-time interval during the All-Ireland Intermediate final. No doubt, a great weekend was had by all.
UNDER 10 CAMOGIE:
The U10 Camogie side were in action last Friday welcoming Kilmacow and St. Anne’s to the field. A great night’s action took place, with plenty of high skills on display for all to see. No doubt, the coaches will be pleased with the evening’s work, as the girls showed a great attitude throughout each game. Well done to all and thanks to Kilmacow and St. Anne’s for coming over.
UNDER 9 CAMOGIE:
Our U9 team played Roanmore during the week. Both teams got down to business straight away, displaying plenty of skill, with passing, striking, blocking all to the fore. A good game for all to see and thanks to all who came down to support the team.
WELL!KIDS:
The Well!Kids programme continues this coming Saturday morning from 10am to 11am. This is open to boys and girls aged between 4-7. It’s free to attend, where equipment can be provided if needs be. The emphasis is based on fun, and learning our game in a fun, but safe environment.
LAST MAN STANDING FUNDRAISER:
The Senior hurling panel are running a fundraiser with a Last Man Standing Competition. With the English Premiership back in action on Friday, August 16th, entry will cost €10, and you will select one team to win, and if successful you carry on to the next round, and so on, until there is one person left, and he or she will collect a nice €750 as the winner.
Round One entries must be in by Friday, August 16th, so if you are not in, you can’t win. We would ask everyone to support this worthy fundraiser. You can submit entries to any of the following people, Damien Ahern 087-6832875, Robbie Carew 085-2074288, Tommy Carew 083-3189481, Luke Flynn 087-7665591, Cormac Heffernan 087-2438348, Cormac O' Driscoll 087-9538812.
