They took football seriously enough around a decade ago when they were absolutely woejus at hurling and had the likes of Martin McKeogh, Shane O’Brien and Hughie Molloy on Tipp minor teams around 2003/2004.
They have always been a hurling first club though. Fair well run club too despite their lack of success aside from their recent Intermediate win
[QUOTE=“the man himself, post: 1154127, member: 1766”]No not at all barely have a football team I’d say. Stephen O Brien is an outlier[/QUOTE] Most lads in North Tipp would’ve played their last game of football at u21 or Minor level. There is only one active senior football team in the division, the McDonaghs. The other team, the Fr Kenyons which happens to encompass Ballina, are gone defunct. There might be some breed of a junior football championship from time to time but no one gives a fuck about it and by Jayses it doesn’t interfere with any hurling fixtures.
Tough game to call, this. The easy thing to say is that Waterford would be fancied if Pauric Mahony was available and that their swarming style would choke a Cork team whose lack of adaptability has cost them in recent seasons.
Much more to it than that though. Waterford played in a similar enough fashion last year but were comfortably despatched by Wexford in Nowlan Park, while Cork re-enter the championship on the back of a trimming by Tipp in last year’s semi-final. The Deise have shown that bit more character in recent times and were deserving League winners. On the other hand, a quiet Cork can be a dangerous animal.
The recall of Brian Murphy will be viewed either as a masterstroke or an act of desperation, depending on the result. Such are the fine margins. Cork’s midfield will have to cover like never before and a lot is required of Aidan Walsh in this department. Kearney will give you every honest effort and will be a key man if Cork are to win.
According to @Fagan ODowd, Maurice Shanahan starts and presumably will be on the frees - an area in which he’s been pretty hit and miss in the past. WIll McGrath continue to carry him if he’s not firing from play?
[QUOTE=“Elvis Brandenberg Kremmen, post: 1154339, member: 1624”]Tough game to call, this. The easy thing to say is that Waterford would be fancied if Pauric Mahony was available and that their swarming style would choke a Cork team whose lack of adaptability has cost them in recent seasons.
Much more to it than that though. Waterford played in a similar enough fashion last year but were comfortably despatched by Wexford in Nowlan Park, while Cork re-enter the championship on the back of a trimming by Tipp in last year’s semi-final. The Deise have shown that bit more character in recent times and were deserving League winners. On the other hand, a quiet Cork can be a dangerous animal.
The recall of Brian Murphy will be viewed either as a masterstroke or an act of desperation, depending on the result. Such are the fine margins. Cork’s midfield will have to cover like never before and a lot is required of Aidan Walsh in this department. Kearney will give you every honest effort and will be a key man if Cork are to win.
According to @Fagan ODowd, Maurice Shanahan starts and presumably will be on the frees - an area in which he’s been pretty hit and miss in the past. WIll McGrath continue to carry him if he’s not firing from play?
Very little between these teams. Cork to edge it.[/QUOTE]
Waterford didn’t play like this against Wexford last year. Wouldn’t say they were comfortably despatched either.
Not entirely, but a similar enough style that they’ve honed/improved in the year since. Only my own opinion, but I thought that Wexford were well in charge of that game and, though they might have made a bit of heavy weather of it, were by far the better team that night.
[QUOTE=“Piles Hussain, post: 1153576, member: 363”]Injury crisis in Kilkenny.
Mick Fennelly possibly gone for the year with his back
Colin Fennelly struggling
Eoin Larkin facing a long lay off
Richie Power fucked again
TJ Reid in bother too[/QUOTE]
The annual Kk injury list posts are now as boring and old as @ Fran 's Internet persona…try again
Cork Waterford very hard to call because question marks over fitness of key players on both sides. Rumours Moran is not fit. Shanahan may or may not start. Harnedy may or may not start. Murphy coming back in is a gamble.
Waterford do have a pattern and heavily play down the right hand side. Stats from last few games show scores come mainly from right hand side. Cork will try to choke that up.
Waterford will most likely start conventionally and go at Cork full back line on basis they think Cork won’t expect that. Couple of early goals to kill the game.
Where Waterford can also get better is using lateral passes as the way they play creates overlaps.
