Co. Senior League, Division 1
St. Michael's / Foilmore 0 - 06 ..................... Waterville 0 - 05
@ Foilmore , 13/04/2013
A disappointing second half saw Waterville succumb by the narrowest of margins in a very wet and windy Foilmore last Saturday in a scoreline of St. Michaels / Foilmore 0-06, Waterville 0-05. It took a glorious point from a sideline ball from Éanna O’Connor to snatch this victory for the home side, and they were marginally the better side throughout.
Waterville faced into a very stiff breeze in the opening period and overall managed to contain the home side. They were helped by some wayward shooting by Bally/Foilmore, particularly from free kicks. Sean Fogarty opened the scoring after about 8 or 9 minutes with a well taken score with his left leg. The home side were struggling to take advantage of the strong wind and quite a few balls aimed at their full forwards travelled harmlessly over the endline. The Waterville backs were working hard to deny their opponents time and space and when Barry O’Dwyer got on the end of a breaking ball 20 yards from goal he levelled proceedings after 20 minutes. Two minutes later Waterville took the lead when Stephen O’Dwyer ran directly at the home defence before popping over wiht his right leg. Cian O’Connor then found himself through on goal only for Waterville custodian to come out and smother his shot and protect his goal. Éanna O’Connor finally found his range from a free kick jsut before half time and the sides went in level pegging, two points apiece. Having played against the strong wind and having kept the scoreline level Waterville were hopeful of a good second half to try and secure the victory.
Instead it was the home side who got out of the blocks faster and scored two early points through DJ Moran and Éanna O’Connor to give their team something to defend into the wind. Unfortunately form a Waterville point of view the wind was dying noticeably and they were not to get the advantage of it that they hoped for. This, allied to Bally/Foilmore’s increased work rate, made it difficult for the visitors. But there is great spirit in this Waterville team and despite not playing as well as in recent games they fought valiantly to the end. Niall Fitzgerald reduced the defecit from 30 yards out after almost 15 minutes of the half and when Barry O’Dwyer capitalised on some great incisive running from Oran Clifford and scored a nice point it seemed Waterville might be able to push on for a winner. Indeed they did take the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining when Stephen O’Dwyer converted a free kick won by Oran Clifford. But the home side were working very hard and when they created an opening for Sean Fogarty he made no mistake and levelled the game once more. The game was crying out for someone to take it by the scruff of the neck and when Éanna O’Connor stood over a sideline ball with time nearly up he showed unerring accuracy to split the posts and give his side the lead. Waterville had one final chance from a very long range free kick but alas it drifted marginally wide to leave the final score Bally/Foilmore 0-06, Waterville 0-05. On an evening more suitable for ducks than football it was a very difficult game to play but credit to the team for giving their all, and trying right to the finish
Co. League Division 1
Stacks 0 - 10 .....V...... Waterville 1 - 07
@ Connolly Park 06/04 2013
Waterville came away from Connolly Park Tralee with a valuable point in round two of the Co. League on Saturday last. Having faced into the wind in the opening period it took Waterville some time to settle into the game with Stacks dominant. They were working good positions for the inside line and the Waterville full back line of Fionnán Clifford, Kevin O'Dwyer and Alan O'Dwyer were put to the pin of their collars in the opening 20 minutes or so. But they defended superbly when under sever pressure and managed to keep the score down to just 4 points ot nil after 20 minutes. Paul Galvin and Gearóid O'Sullivan began getting a foothold in midfield and as the supply was being cut off to the Stacks men it gave Waterville a much better attacking platform from which to build. Alan O'Shea was putting in a great shift too, winning breaks and always being available as a link man from the forwards to the backs. A long distance free from Stephen O'Dwyer into the teeth of the stiff breeze settled the lads, and although they conceded another point shortly afterwards the games defining moment came four minutes before the break. Stephen O'Dwyer cut through from the left wing and made space for the run of Barry O'Dwyer who, on receiving the pass, neatly sidestepped the goalkeeper to finish into an empty net. Shane Carroll kicked a ate free for the Stacks to leave the half time score at Waterville 1-01, Austin Stacks 0-06. With the wind at their backs in the second half Waterville pushed on early in the half and were really dominant until the final whistle. Stephen knocked over a free following a foul on Oran Clifford. Shane O'Callaghan kicked probably the score of the game then for the Stacks to gain a two point lead once more. A superb free from Gearoid O'Sullivan narrowed the gap once more before substitute Odhran O'Mahony kicked a fine point from a tight angle to level affairs. With just 10 minutes left it was anyones game and Waterville's midfield and half back line really drove the team on. Stephen O'Dwyer kicked the lead score with his right leg, but the excellent Shane O'Carroll leveled it once more. It was tense and very tight and anyones game at this stage. Paddy Curran began exerting a bit of influence and when he was fouled 35 yards out Stephen made no mistake with the free. Paddy himself capitalised on some great work by Greg Gibson who drove up through the centre of the field from his centre back berth to work a scoring position for the afore mentioned Curran. With about five minutes left and a two point lead Waterville were hoping for a famous win. But two late points from the outstanding Shane O'Carroll leveled affairs and Waterville were left with just one point. Best for Waterville were Kevin and Alan O'Dwyer, Greg Gibson, Oran Clifford and Paddy Curran. Alan O'shea was man of the match.
Next weekend sees the team make the short trip to face St. Michaels/Foilmore in Round three who have made an excellent start and will be on a high following a great win in Lewis Road against Dr. Crokes. So it will be another very difficult task for the Waterville boys.
Minors: The Waterville/Dromid minor team won out in a battle with Cordal/Scartaglin in their County League Semi Final last Friday evening in Cromane. The scoreline was 3-12 to 1-08. They will now face Asdee/Ballylongford in the final.
Under 14's:: The Under 14's also had a great win, defeating Gelnbeigh/Glencar away from home 2-11 to 2-09 and their next game is this Wednesday at home toe Skellig/Rangers Valentia.
Under 16's: The under 16's played Monday night Away to Skellig Rangers/Valentia in the first round of the SK U16 League
Intermediate Championship
First Round
Waterville 0 - 08 V Gneeveguilla 0 - 06,
@ Waterville,. 30/03/2013
In a dour, attritional battle Waterville just edged the East Kerry men after extra time on a scoreline of 0-08 to 0-06. A difficult easterly wind coming off the lake made shooting very tricky and scores were at a premium. Gneeveguilla had done their homework on their South Kerry counterparts and targeted Waterville’s dangermen but the accuracy from frees of Stephen O’Dwyer and a magnificent point from near the endline by Alan O’Shea ensured waterville progressed to the next round safely.
It took 18 minutes for the first white flag to be raised by Gneeveguilla’s Michael Murphy. Up to this point, scores were proving very difficult to come by as both teams struggled with the unusual wind. The hits were hard and it was a very physical contest. A free by Liam Murphy and another point from play by Michael Murphy saw Gneeveguilla finally take advantage of the wind helping them to open up a three point lead. Stephen O’Dwyer kicked a free of his own to finally open Waterville’s account with three minutes remaining. When Stephen got on the end of a long ball with jsut a few minutes to go in the half he slipped Barry in one on one with the Gneeveguilla goalkeeper Patrick O’Riordan. But the netminder got out quickly to smother the shot and keep his side in the lead at the break.
With the wind slightly favouring Waterville now, and with a greater amount of possesion it just needed a few early scores to settle the team and the home fans would have expected them to push on. But still the men in red found it difficult to find the scores with a few long range efforts drifting narrowly wide. A 30 metre free from Stephen O’Dwyer after 8 minutes got them off the mark for the second half but it still took another 20 minutes or so to level it. Gneeveguilla were offering little in attack in this half and were defending in numbers and with great determination. What few scoring chances they did create went harmlessly wide. It looked like Waterville had got themsleves in a great position to win the game when Barry O’Dwyer pounced on a fumble by the Gneeveguilla keeper to palm the ball into the net, only for the referee to inexplicably disallow it. With time running down it again fell to Stephen O’Dwyer to level matters and he made no mistake with a long range free with just two minutes on the clock. The home side pushed on to find a winner and worked an opportunity for the busy Barry O’Dwyer and he knocked over from close range. Now it was up to Gneeveguilla to find a way to score for the first time in over 40 minutes of football. When Liam Murphy was fouled 35 meters out he took on the responsibility of kicking the free himself and made no mistake to send the game into extra time.
Both teams were giving it their all and were not shirking from the physical challenges. It was full blooded and a real championship game. Gneeveguilla again began proceedings with the elements slightly in their favour and kicked two excellent points early on through DJ and Donie O’Connor. This gave them something to defend coming up to half time in the extra time. But Seamus O’Sullivan gave his side a huge boost just before the break with a superb score from out near the sideline. With the wind at their backs Waterville now needed to find two points to win the game. Gneeveguilla were reduced to 13 men during that first period so they were going to have to defend their lead short of manpower. Two minutes into the half Niall Fitzgerald galloped up the wing to level proceedings and the vocal home support urged their men on to find a winner. With the clock showing only seconds left Stephen O’Dwyer was given the chance when he stood over a free kick some 55 metres from goal. Making full use of the wind Stephen kicked it way out towards the lake and left the wind help the ball over the bar. With the game as good as up Alan O’Shea won possesion in the right hand corner and from an almost impossible angle he scored a peach of a point to seal the victory for his team.
It was a dour spectacle, with good football at a premium but over the 80 minutes Waterville were worthy winners and deservedly went through to the next round. Every man among them gave of his all and worked tirelessly to get the win. Next up is a tricky away trip to Tralee to face Austin Stacks in the County League next weekend.
Waterville team and scorers : Ciarán Dennehy, Fionnán Clifford, Kevin O’Dwyer, Alan O’Dwyer, Oran Clifford, Greg Gibson, Niall Fitzgerald (0-01), Seamus O’Sullivan (0-01), Gearóid O’Sullivan, Paddy Curran , Denis Dwyer, Gary Galvin, Barry O’Dwyer (0-01), Stephen O’Dwyer (0-04, 4f), Alan O’Shea (0-01).
Subs used : Sam O’Dwyer, Keith Moran
County League Division 1
Waterville v Dr. Crokes,
@ Waterville
23/03/2013
Waterville announced their arrival back at the top table of club football in Kerry with a hard earned, but well deserved victory over the might of Dr. Crokes, on a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-10. An early goal from Barry O’Dwyer set the tone and a late point from Niall Fitzgerald sealed the deal on a soft and heavy pitch.
Waterville knew they would be up against it in a battle with the seemingly perennial county champions but set about their task in a determined and resolute fashion. They got the tonic they were hoping for after just 2 minutes when, following a great defensive interception by Fionnán Clifford and a superb pass, Stephen O’Dwyer cut a swath through the heart of the Crokes’ defense before unselfishly laying off the ball to Barry who didn’t miss from 7 or 8 yards, tucking the ball neatly into the bottom corner of the net.
Crokes responded soon afterwards, when, following a lot of precise hand passing around the Waterville 45 metre line they found some space for Daithi Casey who rattled over from 30 yards. Paddy Curran responded with a fine score of his own after Alan O’Shea won a tremendous break and Niall Fitzgerald picked Paddy out with an inch perfect pass. Leading now by a goal the Waterville players sensed that there was something to be got from this game and the work rate was upped to a high level, tackling, covering, and getting in to win breaks. But Dr. Crokes were never going to go away and Shane Meyers hit a delightful point on the run and when Crokes won a free close into goal Chris Brady made no mistake to leave just the minimum in it. Waterville responded well again and following a jinking solo run Seamus O’Sullivan hit a tremendous point with the outside of his boot. Stephen O’Dwyer was having a very good game on Mike Moloney and when he turned him and ran at the goal he curled over a super point to leave his team three points to the good once more. Barry O’Dwyer then found some space 25 yards out from goal, following some great work by Gearóid O’Sullivan and he pushed Waterville 4 points to the good after about 18 minutes. Shane Mayers was in place to reduce that lead once more from his right wing berth. Stephen O’Dwyer then kicked a 45 before a short Chris Brady free brought a pulsating first half to a finish with Waterville leading by 1-05 to 0-05.
With the elements now in Crokes’ favour the second half was always going to be a battle for the Waterville men and when Jamie Doolan scored after 5 minutes the Crokes dander was up. Brian Looney scored a sublime point following some great work by Andrew Kennelly to leave the minimum between the teams with jsut 8 minutes gone in the second half. The next ten minutes was a real dogfight with both sides looking to gain some supremacy. The next score was going to be vital. It came from the boot of Stephen O’Dwyer from a 30 yard free after Alan O’Shea was fouled trying to make a run. Chris Brady returned the favour at the other end when Jamie Doolan’s jersey was pulled. Then Denis Dwyer was fouled 50 metres out form the Dr. Crokes goal. Facing into a difficult swerving breeze Stephen O’Dwyer showed unerring accuracy to split the posts and give his teams’ morale a huge boost, and a 2 point lead once more with only 7 or 8 minutes remaining. Then Daithi casey took over the show with two massive free kicks of his own from over 50 yards and it looked like the sides would remain level as the clock ticked down. But Waterville had other ideas and when the excellent Greg Gibson foraged down the right wing he spotted Niall Fitzgerald in a few yards of space amongst a swarm of Crokes defenders. His glorious 40 yard cross field ball went straight to Niall’s chest, who turned his man and tapped over the bar to give Waterville a much merited and hard fought win on a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-10.
It was a superb game, given the difficult conditions and both teams played the game as it should be played, hard, committed and fair. Some of the scores kicked were of the highest order, from both teams. For Waterville it was a great tonic having been away from Division 1 football for over a decade. It was a great boost coming into next weekend’s crunch encounter with Gneeveguilla in the Intermediate Champsionship.
In a magnificent team performance, where every player put in a great shift, Greg Gibson was man of the match.
Waterville team and scorers: Ciarán Dennehy, Fionnán Clifford, Kevin O’Dwyer, Alan O’Dwyer, Oran Clifford, Greg Gibson, Niall Fitzgerald (0-01), Seamus O’Sullivan (0-01), Paul Galvin, Paddy Curran (0-01), Gearóid O’Sullivan, Gary Galvin, Barry O’Dwyer (1-01), Stephen O’Dwyer (0-04, 2f, 1 ’45), Alan O’Shea.
Subs used : Fergal Cronin, Denis Dwyer
