Fraher Field Classics

01/06/2026

KEARNEY CATERING ALL COUNTY DIVISION 5 FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL

ADAM WALSH’S TWO POINTERS STEERS KILMACTHOMAS TO LEAGUE TITLE

KILMACTHOMAS 1=14 DUNHILL 3=6

The Kill venue was in excellent shape for this closely contested Division 5 football league final on Bank Holiday Monday and the result was more or less decided on two factors. The excellent two point kicking of Kilmac’s Adam Walsh, all from play with two in the first half and the score of the match in the second, always kept his side in front.

Dunhill battled well against a team in a higher championship grade but they rued the loss of their most influential player on the day, Ben Gallagher to a black and red card at the end of the third quarter. Credit the junior side, they won the remainder of the game by 1=2 to 0=3 as they finished the stronger with the final three scores of the hour.

Prior to the game, a minutes silence was observed in respect to the late Biddy Power of Dunhill before Mark Nugent opened the scoring with a pointed free for Dunhill.

Kilmacthomas received the ideal reply when wing forward Fionn Whelan found the net in the 3rd minute, followed by the first of Adam Walsh’s two pointers five minutes later.

Kilmac had first use of the breeze into the road end goal and they were keen on building up a lead before the break. Dunhill were stiff opposition though and they enjoyed plenty of the ball. Niall Burns pointed a 9th minute free for Dunhill, 1=2 to 0=2 for but two pointers by the winners were always going to be their worst enemy.

Wing back Dean Walsh slotted over one in the 13th minute but Dunhill kept teir opposition in close sight when Ben Gallagher netted one minute later, 1=4 to 1=2. Peter Power extended Kilmac’s advantage in the 16th minute while Dunhill keeper Simon Burns saved well from Louis Power four minutes later.

Dunhill would have been happy enough with just three points the difference in the last ten minutes of the half but a second two pointer by Adam Walsh in the 22nd minute and a pointed free by Conor Keating doubled Kilmac’s advantage near the end of the half.

Dunhill’s Mark Nugent finished the first half as he started it with a second pointed free leaving the scoreboard reading 1=8 to 1=3 at the break. Dunhill kicked half a dozen first half frees to Kilmac’s two and they won seven frees to their opponents’ five.

SECOND HALF

There was no score for the first eight minutes on the restart but when it arrived, courtesy of a goal by Dunhill’s Niall Burns from the penalty spot, the game was back in the melting pot.

Kilmac came back well though into the wind and they claimed two of the next three scores before Dunhill’s Ben Gallagher was red carded. Aaron Foran dissected the posts in the 39th minute followed immediately by the score of the match by Adam Walsh, his third two pointer and this one into the wind.

Peter Power kicked his second minor for the winners and Kilmac held a 0=4 lead at 1=11 to 2=4 with 42 minutes on the clock. Dunhill’s numerical disadvantage saw Kimac dominate initially with Fionn Whelan bringing another great save out of Simon Burns at the expense of a point, Peter Power kicked his third score from play and influential sub Kavan Dee kicked the winners’ final point in the 53rd minute, 1=14 to 2=4.

Credit Dunhill, they more or less dominated the rest of the play with Eoghan Dunphy kicking pointed frees in the 56th and 57th minutes while at the very death, sub Jamie Burns scored his team’s second peno of the day.

Interestingly, if it was back in the day last year, Dunhill would have won the game by 0=2 as four of Kilmac’s scores were two pointers. Overall, though, the honours went where merited most. All of Kilmac’s scores bar 0=1 were from play while Dunhill scored just 0=1 point from play and two of their goals came from the penalty spot.

PRESENTATION

Chairman of the County Board, Neil Moore, presented the league cup to the winning Kilmac captain, Alan Fitzsimmons who suitably replied on behalf of his team.

Kilmacthomas’ Top Three : Adam Walsh, David Sutton, Peter Power.

Dunhill’s Top Three : Ben Gallagher, Niall Burns, Aaron Foran.

Man of the Match : Adam Walsh.

Number of Scorers : Kilmacthomas ; 6. Dunhill : 6.

Scores From Play : Kilmacthomas : 1=14. Dunhill 1=0.

Frees For : Kilmacthomas : 12. Dunhill : 14.

Wides : Kilmacthomas : 9. Dunhill : 8.

Score of the Match : Adam Walsh’s two pointer from p[lay into the wind in the 40th minute.

Scorers :

Kilmacthomas : Adam Walsh 0=6 (3x2p), Fionn Whelan 1=1, Peter Power 0=3, Dean Walsh 0=2(1x2p), Conor Keating (f) and Gavan Dee 0=1 each.

Dunhill : Niall Burns 1=1 (1 pen, 1f), Ben Gallagher 1=0, Jamie Burns 1=0 (1 pen.), Mark Nugent and Eoghan Dunphy 0=2f each. Aaron Foran 0=1.

Teams :

Kilmacthomas : Niall Cronin; Jack Behan, David Sutton, Patrick Purcell; Ryan Gallagher, Owen McNamara, Dean Walsh; Louis Power, Liam Kavanagh; Fionn Whelan, Alan Fitzsimmons, Peter Power; Bobby Troy, Conor Keating, Adam Walsh. Subs : Kealan Kiersey for Alan Fitzsimmons, Senan Casey for Fionn Whelan, Martin Sutton for Ryan Gallagher.

Dunhill : Simon Burns; Dylan Colfer, Charlie Moore, Frank Kavanagh; Eamonn Murphy, Ben Gallagher, Adam Green; Conor Harkin, Aaron Foran; Peter Ellickson, Eoghan Dunphy, Luke Higgins; Jack McGrath, Jamie Burns, Mark Nugent. Subs : Darragh Veale for Eamonn Murphy, James Power for Peter Ellickson, Jamie Burns for Mark Nugent, Mairtin Seoighe for Niall Burns.

Referee : Eoin Morrissey (Erins Own).

01/06/2026

KEARNEY CATERING ALL COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 4 FINAL

GOALS THE DIFFERENCE IN LEMYBRIEN

COLLIGAN EMMETS 2=10 BUTLERSTOWN 0=11

THE Division 3 County football league final matched last year's Eastern Junior football champions and Western Intermediate football champions, Colligan Emmets at a sun drenched Lemybrien venue on Friday evening.

Both clubs were well organised in the division this year with Colligan providing thirty four players on the team sheet and Butlerstown thirty.

Newcomer in the Colligan colours, Eoin McxMenamin contributed 0=5 for the winners and David Butler matched him for white flags but it was the goals scored by Ross Dunford and Butler in the first half, 2=5 to 0=7, that ultimately decided the destination of honours.

Club legend, Johnny Wall, deputised in goal for regular keeper Seanie McGrath, who is currently on paternity leave, while the influential Dan Booth and Loughlin Walsh were also absentees in the final. Butlerstown had a more spread of scorers, a half dozen, but they could not engineer a goal throughout that would have seen this well contested game go down to the wire.

Led by former Stradbally star, Tony Grey, with a pocket full of senior championship medals to his credit, Jack O Keeffe, Shane Finnegan, Jack Kearney, current County masters player Emmet Doherty and Alex Cronin kicked 0=2 apiece while Keevan Doherty also raised a white flag.

The performances of both teams augurs well for their championship campaigns later in the year.

PRESENTATION :

Vice Chairman of the County Board, Brendan Tobin presented the league cup to the winning Emmet's captain, PJ Coffey.

Teams :

Emmets : Johnny Wall;Sean Tobin, Adam Dunford, Richie Kiely; Michael Tobin, PJ Coffey, Keiran McCabe; Joe Booth, Mark Power; Charlie Whelabn, David Butler, Gavin Whelan; Darragh Hallahan, Ross Dunford, Eoin McMeniman. Reece Stringer, Luke Power, Ian Fraher, Adam Daly, Michael D. Beresford, Shane Cregan, John Power,Jake Kearney, Fionnan Drohan, Colin Ryan, Liam Dalton, Aidam McKenna, John Nic Fennell, Kevin Butler, Seanie McGrath, Adam O Riordan, Danny Dunford, Sean Dunford, John Dunne.

Burlerstown: Fionn O Brien; Paul Jockey Power, Mossie Quaid, Jack O Keeffe; Keevan Doherty, Shane Finnerty, Tony Grey; William Power, Paul Foxy Power; Jack Kearney, Brendan Kelly, Jack Kelly; Emmet Doherty, Tom Scully, Dermot O Riordan. Ray O Regan, Mark Long, Jack Widger, Jack Tyrell, Jack O Keeffe, Cillian Brennan, Cian Corbett, Alex Barry, Bryan Browne, Luke O Brien, Oliver McAllister, David Cheasty, Alex Cronion, Dan Cronin, Brian Lambert.

Referee : Anthony Fitzgerald (Gaultier).

31/05/2026

KILMACTHOMAS GAA CLUB NOEL KIELY SEVEN A SIDE JUNIOR HURLING TOURNAMENT

ST. MARY’S CLONMEL PIP WINDGAP KILKENNY IN NOEL KIELY HURLING FINAL

ST. MARY’S 1=2 WINDGAP 1=1

THE resplendent looking Kilmacthomas GAA grounds was a hive of activity on Saturday with the Ladies Junior Football seven a side football blitz being followed by the 4th annual Noel Kiely seven a side hurling tournament.

It was activity all the way for the participating clubs with no half time in the ten minute long games which ran from 2pm until the final, just before the rain arrived at 5.30pm. The final itself was an old firm Tipperary v Kilkenny clash with St. Mary’s of Clonmel representing the blue and gold and Windgap lining out for the Cats.

The three busy referees for the day were Nicky Barry of Gaultier, Gavin Whelan of Colligan and Robbie Dunne of St. Mollerans, the latter throwing in the ball for the decider.

Windgap opened the scoring with a point from play and they looked to be on the road to victory when their team captain Michael Power's puck out from goal went all the way into the St. Mary’s net.

There wasn’t much time for St. Mary’s to respond in this ten minute decider but they did so in style. James Power scored a close in goal before Niall Deeley pointed two frees from the half way line over the juvenile goal to edge theTipp into the minimum of leads.

Windgap had two opportunities from placed balls to sn**ch victory before Robbie Dunne blew the full time whistle and the Noel Kiely shield was on its way to Clonmel.

PRESENTATION

After the game, Kilmacthomas club chairman, Tyrone Power, presented the Noel Kiely Shield to the St. Mary’s winning captain, Eoin Walsh and he thanked everyone who made the tournament a success, which was part of three days of activities organised by the progressive Kilmacthomas club.

RESULTS COURTESY OF MICHAEL BYRNE

1 2:00 Cloneen v St Martins 3 5 0 3 Windgap v Mullinahone 1 5 0 6

2 2:10 Cloneen v Kilmacthomas 1 2 2 5 Fethard St Mogues v St Marys Clonmel 2 2 2 6

3 2:20 Windgap v St Martins 4 2 1 1 Mullinahone v Clonea 1 2 0 8

4 2:30 Cloneen v Fethard St Mogues 2 2 1 1 Kilmacthomas v St Marys Clonmel 2 1 4 3

5 2:40 Windgap v Clonea 3 3 0 1 Kilmacthomas v Fethard St Mogues 1 2 0 5

6 2:50 Cloneen v St Marys Clonmel 2 2 4 2 St Martins v Mullinahone 2 5 0 1

7 3:00 Windgap v St Marys Clonmel 0 4 1 6 St Martins v Clonea 2 0 1 2

8 3:10 Cloneen v Kilmacthomas 1 3 2 2 Windgap v Fethard St Mogues 3 1 2 1

9 3:20 Mullinahone v Clonea 5 2 2 5

10 3:30 St Marys Clonmel v Clonea 3 1 3 2 Fethard St Mogues v Mulllinahone 1 1 1 3

11 3:40 Kilmacthomas v St Martins 2 4 3 2


QF 4:00 St Marys Clonmel v Fethard St Mogues 2 4 1 1 Windgap v Mullinahone 1 3 0 5

QF 4:10 Clonea v St Martins 2 4 2 2 Kilmacthomas v Cloneen 0 2 1 5

SF 4:30 St Marys Clonmel v Cloneen 1 6 2 2 Windgap v Clonea 1 4 1 2


FINAL 4:50 St Marys Clonmel v Windgap 1 2 1 1

31/05/2026

KEARNEY CATERING ALL COUNTY DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL

BRILLIANT BERESFORD MAKES WINNING IMPACT

ABBEYSIDE/BALLINACOURTY 2=12 RATHGORMACK 0=16

Trailing by 0=12 to 0=5 in the 26th minute of the Division 1 league final at the Fraher Field on Saturday, Ballinacourty pulled out all the stops to win the Phelan Cup and claim their second big ball title inside twenty four hours at the Shandon venue.

The County champions, Rathgormack brought on some of their County players in the 41st minute at a stage that they led by 0=14 to 1=9 in an effort to put ‘Courty away after the latter had finished the first half well and started the second similarly.

However, Ballinacourty’s tide was rising all the while and it was their sub James Beresford who made the most impact to give the local side the lead in the 50th minute which they held very well with good possession play for the remaining thirteen minutes of play.

Beresford was at the end of a fine move by team captain Conor McCarthy and Brian Callaghan to finish strongly to the town end net and he really hit the bull’s eye with the next score of the game, a great two pointer from play under pressure, which proved to be Ballinacourty’s final score, 2=12 to 0=14 as they kept Rathgormack scoreless from play for the remainder of the action.

Prior to the game, a minute’s silence was observed in respect to the late Danny Barry, Ballinacourty, who was corner back on the club team that won the County Intermediate football title against Rathgormack in 1965 and senior status has been retained for these last sixty one years.



It was another Beresford, Aaron, from a different stable that led Ballinacourty’s early challenge after Jason Curry(f) and Adam Murray, off his left boot, had given Rathgormack the lead by the 4th minute.

The former County goalie levelled proceedings with a two pointer free in the 7th minute and after a Neil Montgomery goal attempt, he followed up with a brace of pointed frees either side of a wide from a two pointer free to give his team an 0=4 to 0=2 lead after 13 minutes.

Jason Curry was Rathgormack’s main contributor on the scoreboard at this stage. He fired over a contender for score of the match before James Power kicked a two pointer from play in the 17th minute, followed by a similar score by Curry, all going to plan on a scoreboard reading 0=7 to 0=4 in favour of the County champions.

Thomas Skehan extended Rathgormack’s advantage in the 18th minute with a fine effort by ‘Courty’s Charlie Feeney taking paint of the country end upright but with no score accruing. After 23 minutes, Rathgormack had opened a 0=7 lead with Jason Curry kicking a left legged pointed free and then Skehan kicking over the fifth two pointer in the first 23 minutes of play, 0=11 to 0=4.

However, Ballinacouryt answered a possible Rathgormack facile victory in style. They held the County champions to a Jason Curry pointed free for the rest of the half and they scored 1=3 themselves. Michael O Halloran started with a contender for score of the match and then Neil Montgmery and Brian Callaghan combined for a very well taken goal under pressure near the upright by Aaron Beresford in the 28th minute.

Beresford kicked the final score of the half from a placed ball bringing his tally to 1=5 for the first half in a first half man of the match performance.

Ballinacourty kicked four wides to Rathgormack’s two and they won half a dozen frees to their opponents’ nine.

SECOND HALF

Ballinacourty restarted as they had finished before the break with the hard working throughout Charlie Treen kicking a two pointer from play in the 34th minute. This levelled the game for the first time since the 7th minute and it stirred Rathgormack to reply with a 35th minute Ronan Elliffe minor after a great run through the centre by Francis Roche and a pointed free by Jason Curry two minutes later.

Ballinacourty’s growing stature in the game didn’t go unnoticed by the Rathgormack sideline and Conor Murray, Michael Curry and Glen Power were brought on board in the 41st minute. At the same time, James Beresford came on for the yellow carded Eoin Kiely and it was the former who had the greater impact on proceedings.

Veteran goalie Stephen Enright made a point blank save from Jason Curry in the 43rd minute and when his team mate Tom Lynch was upended in front of the goal three minutes later, Curry’s peno came back off the post. These were defining moments in a game that was heading for a thrilling finish.

The first score in 11minutes was claimed by Neil Montgomery with a loose Brian Callaghan inside him a possible goal scoring opportunity. The goal wasn't long in coming when super sub James Beresford rattled the net to give his side the upperhand on the scoreboard for the first time since the 8th minute.

Charlie Treen had a two pointer effort sail wide before James Beresford took centre stage again with the sixth two pointer of the hour, 2=12 to 0=14. This was Ballinacourty’s final score with fifty one minutes played but there was no panic in their play, rather a mature holding of possession and confining Rathgormack to two more scores, both pointed frees by Jason Curry as the locals ran out deserving winners.

PRESENTATION

The Phelan Cup is an institution in Waterford league football going back to the 1950’s when it was presented by Jack Phelan who was in America. Family representatives on this occasion Paddy and Josephine Phelan were present when County Chairman Neil Moore present the Cup to the winning captain, Conor McCarthy, with everybody now looking ahead to the senior championship in the distant horizon.

Ballinacourty’s Top Three : James Beresford, Aaron Beresford, Charlie Treen.

Rathgormack’s Top Three : Jason Curry, James Power, Thomas Skehan.

Man of the Match : James Beresford.

Number of Scorers : Ballinacourty :6. Rathgormack : 5.

Scores From Play : Ballinacourty : 2=7. Rathgormack ; 0=10.

Frees For : Ballinacourty : 9. Rathgormack : 18.

Wides : Ballinacourty : 6. Rathgormack : 7.

Score of the Match : Michael O Halloran’ 24th minute point from play for Ballinacourty.

Scorers :

Ballinacourty : Aaron Beresford 1=5( 1x2pf, 3f), James Beresford 1=2( 1x2p), Charlie Treen 0=2(1x2p), Michael O Halloran, Eoin Kiely and Neil Montgomery 0=1 each.

Rathgormack : Jason Curry 0=9(6f), Thomas Skehan 0=3(1x2p), James Power 0=2(1x2p), Adam Murray and Ronan Elliffe 0=1 each.

Teams :

Ballinacourty : Stephen Enright; Niall McCarthy, Oisin O Riordan, Colin Foley; Conor McCarthy, Billy O Connell, Charlie Treen. Michael Kiely, Diarmuid Mackle; Brian Callaghan, Eoin Kiely, ASaron Beresford; Michael O Halloran, Neil Montgomery, Charlie Feeney. Subs : James Beresford for Eoin Kiely (41), Robert Prunty for Charlie Feeney (48), Sean Prunty for Diarmuid Mackle (58).

Rathgormack : Paudie Hunt; Willie Hassehy, Ger Hassehy, Sean Hassehy; Paudie Fahey, Tom Walsh, Cathal Crowch; James Power, Peter Walsh; Adam Murray, Jason Curry, Francis Roche; Tom Lynch, Thomas Skehan, Ronan Elliffe. Subs : Conor Murray for Cathal Crowch, Michael Curry for Ronan Elliffe and Glen Power for Tom Walsh (all 51), Stephen Curry for Francis Roche (inj. 53).

Referee : Alan Kissane (Dunhill).

30/05/2026

KEARNEY CATERING ALL COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL DIVISION 3

BALLINACOURTY FIRST WINNERS OF THE YEAR.

ABBEYSIDE/BALLINACOURTY 4=12 ARDMORE 2=12

ABBEYSIDE/BALLINACOURTY’S second football fifteen got their club season of to a winning start at the Fraher Field on Friday evening when they claimed the Division 3 league cup with a deserving win over Ardmore in a game played in brilliant sunshine at a venue in pristine condition.

Goals were the difference here with three by the winners helping them to a 3=9 to 1-7 half time advantage while Ardmore’s second majorby John O Brien brought his team to within one score of ‘Courty in the 45th minute. However, a fourth goal by David Hickey in the 52nd minute, their first score in ten minutes, sealed the title for the locals.

The teams were level on just one occasion overall and that was after five minutes when opening scores by Patrick Hurney and DJ Kiely were replied to by Jack Keane and Kenny Murphy for Ardmore.

The first of the half dozen net bulgers arrived as early as the 6th minute when Sean Prunty, Tiernan Murray and James O Mahony combined to send Cathal Sweeney through in the town end goal.

The entertainment value of the match increased all the while with James Flavin bringing a great save out of Sean Walsh before Jack Keane kicked a second point for Ardmore and then goaled in the12th minute to give his side the lead.

Kenny Murphy added his own second minor, 1=4 to 1=2, but when DL Kiely kicked a contender for score of the match and James O Mahony pounced on a mistake in defence to score Ballinacourty’s second goal in the 19th minute after good work by the impressive throughout Oisin Power, Ardmore were never to enjoy the lead thereafter. 2=3 to 1=4.

Ballinacourty confirmed their superiority in the lead up to half time with a third goal by man of the match Daithi Brunnock, either side of points by Oisin Power and James O Mahony opening daylight between the teams.

Interestingly, the final three scores of the half were two pointers, the first by Ardmore’s Jamie Bryan followed by similar replies by Patrick Hurney(f) and James O Mahony, the latter, another contender for score of the match.

Ballinacourty won half a dozen first half frees to Ardmore solitaire and both sides kicked five wides each.

SECOND HALF

Ardmore staged a commendable third quarter comeback, a period of time that they won by 1=3 to 0=2. Ballinacourty scores by Eoin Ahern and DJ Kiely were answered by Kenny Murphy, Ciaran Keating and Jamie Bryan(f) before John O Brien goaled in the 45th minute after his team had over turned possession from a Ballinacourty kick out.

A thrilling conclusion looked to be on the cards when Jamie Bryan followed with a 48th minute pointed free, 3=11 to 2=11 but when Oisin Power provided for David Hickey’s 52nd minute goal, the stuffing was knocked out of Ardmore and they scored just once more in the remaining twelve minutes of play.

James O Mahony was through for a ‘Courty fifth goal in the 59th minute but opted for a white flag and Ardmore’s James Flavin brought a very entertaining decider to a close in added time.

PRESENTATON

Chairman of the County Board had the pleasure of presenting the league cup to his club mate Patrick Hurney , the first club trophy to be handed out in the 2026 adult club season.

Ballinacourty’s Top Three : Daithi Brunnock, DJ Kiely, Oisin Power.

Ardmore’s Top Three : Jack Keane, Kenny Murphy, John O Brien.

Man of the Match : Daithi Brunnock.

Number of Scorers : Ballinacourty : 8. Ardmore ; 6.

Scores From Play : Ballinacourty : 4=10. Ardmore : 2=10.

Frees For : Ballinacourgty : 13. Ardmore : 11.

Wides ; Ballinacourty : 6. Ardmore : 9.

Score of the Match : Jack Keane’s fourth minute point for Ardmore.

Scorers :

Ballinacourty : James Mahony 1=3, Daithi Brunnock 1=1, Cathal Sweeney and David Hickey 1=0 each, DJ Kiely 0=3, Patrick Hurney 0=3 (2pf), Oisin Power and Eoin Ahern 0=1 each.

Ardmore : Jack Keane 1=2, John O Brien 1=1, Jamie Bryan 0=4, Kenny Murphy 0=3, Ciaran Keating and James Flavin 0=1 each.

Teams :

Abbeyside/Ballinacourty : Sean Walsh; Diurnan Norris, Oisin Brazil, Fionn O Dwyer; Oisin Power, David Hickey, Fionn O Murchu; Daithi Brunnock, Sean Prunty; Tiernan Murray, DJ Kiely, Eoin Ahern; Cathal Sweeney, James O Mahony, Patrick Hurney. Subs : Tommy Flynn for Daithi Brunnock (blood, 39), Daithi Brunnock for Oisin Power (44), Oisin Power for Oisin Brazil (inj.46), Oisin Brazil for Tiernan Murray (inj. 51).

Ardmore : Conor Moore; Luke Murray, Declan Prendergast, Paidi Foley; Liam Lynch, Oisin O Dwyer, Michael Coakley; Jack Keane, Jack O Shea; Sean Power, Kenny Murphy, John O Brien; Ciaran Keating, James Flavin, Jamie Bryan. Subs : Luke Veale for Eoghan O Shea (inj. 21), Seamus Prendergast for Luke Veale (42), Eddie Flavin for Sean Power (58).

Referee : Martin Curran (Sean Phobail).

fotos :

Tiernan Murray and family pictured with league trophy.

Ballinacourty captain receives the division 3 league cup from chairman of the County Board Neil Moore.

James O Mahony and son Jack pictured with the division 3 league cup.

28/05/2026

25/05/2026

TAILTEANN CUP FOOTBALL GROUP B KNOCKOUT

FOOTBALLERS CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES AT THE FRAHER FIELD


SLIGO 0=29 WATERFORD 3=12

Accustomed to playing in a higher division in the National football league, Sligo proved too strong for Waterford in this knockout Tailteann cup football game at the Fraher Field on Sunday. The winners had a lot more time on the ball than they are used to and their final tally of 0=29 included some gems from play. None more so featuring on the marksmanship sphere was wing forward Lee Deignan who scored 0=11 in total including three two pointers and in general his scores were as good as any taken at the Shandon venue over the years.

Waterford matched Sligo on the scoreboard for the first twelve minutes or so close to their opponents at 0=6 to 0=5. Darragh Walsh opened the scoring in less than a minute before Deignan kicked the first of his two pointers from play inside four minutes.
The hosts did not kick any two pointers compared to Sligo as they were being watched for such opportunities but Deignan had all the time in the world to execute his ones.

Deignan kicked his second two pointer on eight minutes after scores by his full forward, Niall Murphy and Waterford’s Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil and Alan Dunwoody(f), 0=5 to 0=4.

The Yeates County men gradually began to exert their authority with some free flowing play and after 22 minutes, they led by double scores of 0=10 to 0=5 Centre forward Darragh Cummins kicked a brace from play in quick concession and Cian Lally and Shane Deignan also got their names on the scoresheet.

Sligo really opened up in the lead up to half time which saw them forge ahead by 0=18 to 0=7 at the break. The other Deignan, Shane kicked a two pointer in the 25th minute with Lee completing his hat trick of such scores in the second minute of added time.
In between other Sligo players such as Gavin Gorman and Luke Towey produced points as their team opened up their 0=11 half time lead. Waterford’s other first half scores were claimed by Alan Dunwoody, who was again surprisingly substituted, this time as early as the 45th minute and Aaron Ryan, the latter a good goal scoring opportunity as James Walsh had in the 33rd minute.

The referee kept his whistle unemployed for most of the first half with Sligo winning three frees to the Deise’s one and both teams kicked three wides each, Sligo because of their overall accuracy and Waterford because of not having too many scoring chances.

SECOND HALF

Credit Waterford, as in all of their games this year, they have never given up and they won the second half by 3=5 to 0=11. The Sligo management must have concerns about their defence as on to the two first half goal chances by Waterford, the locals added three goals via first half sub Aaron Ryan in the 40th minute, Liam Mulligan in the 53rd minute when he was quickest to react to Aaron Ryan’s attempted point coming back off the upright and a quickly taken free by Dermot Ryan in the 73rd minute.

Having trailed by 0=14 after 51 minutes, Ephie Fitzgerald’s charges reduced this deficit to 0=8 come the final whistle as their 14 man team from the 61st minute claimed the final three scores of the game with Michael O Brien’s one also very close to finding the net.

The difference in the speed of play between division 3 and 4 was again in evidence here and we will always be under the cosh while we remain in the lower tier. Sligo are away to London in the next round, a game they can win but one not to be taken lightly against a side that defeated Waterford by 5=12 to 0=10.

Sligo’s Top Three : Lee Deignan, Niall Murphy, Jack Lavin.

Waterford’s Top Three : Conor Murray, Aaron Ryan, Stephen Curry.

Man of the Match : Lee Deignan.

Number of Scorers : Sligo : 8. Waterford : 8.

Scores From Play : Sligo : 0=28. Waterford ; 3=11.

Frees For : Sligo : 5. Waterford : 3.

Wides : Sligo : 5. Waterford : 7.

Score of the Match : Lee Deignan’s 72nd minute curling point
allowing for the wind.

Scorers for Sligo: Lee Deignan (0-11,3tp); Shane Deignan (0-5,1tp); Niall Murphy (0-4,1f); Darragh Cummins (0-2); Luke Towey (0-2); Jack Lavin (0-2); Cian Lally (0-2); Gavin Gorman (0-1)

Scorers for Waterford: Aaron Ryan (1-2); Dermot Ryan (1-2); Liam Mulligan (1-0); Stephen Curry (0-2); Alan Dunwoody (0-2,1f); Michael O’Brien (0-2); Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil (0-1); Adam Murray (0-1)

Waterford: Paudie Hunt; Tommy Martin, Billy Hynes, Conor Ó Cuirrín; Glen Power, Michael Curry, Dermot Ryan; Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil, Conor Murray; Darragh Walsh, James Walsh, Liam Mulligan; Stephen Curry, Michael O’Brien Alan Dunwoody. Subs: Aaron Ryan for Caolan Mac Cathmhaoil (18); Donal Fitzpatrick for Darragh Walsh (31); Adam Crawford for Glen Power (HT); Adam Murray for Alan Dunwoody (45); Conor Fennell for Stephen Curry (68)

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Jack Lavin, Luke Casserly, Tommy Ross; Daire O’Boyle, Conor Sheridan, Luke Towey; Gavin Gorman, Darragh Cummins; David Quinn, Alan McLoughlin, Lee Deignan; Cian Lally, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan. Subs: Eddie McGuinness for Daire O’Boyle (20); Pat Spillane for David Quinn (45); Paul Kilcoyne for Darragh Cummins (54); Kyle Cawley for Cian Lally (61); Mark McDaniel for Niall Murphy (66)

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).

24/05/2026

SEAMUS HEANEY ALL IRELAND MINOR FOOTBALL SEMI FINAL TIER 3

MINOR FOOTBALLERS PIPPED FOR PLACE IN ALL IRELAND FINAL

WICKLOW 0=13 WATERFORD 1=9

Following a season of sustained and relatively successful activity, Waterford minor footballers would have climbed another step on the Inter County leader if they had qualified for an All-Ireland final in the grade, they were competing in, but this was agonisingly taken out of their grasp by Wicklow in Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow on Saturday.

Wicklow had beaten New York comprehensively in the quarter final the previous week and were favourites to advance to the decider. However, Waterford made the Garden County fight all the way for their expected win, leading at the break by 1=5 to 0=7, helped by a Charlie Smyth goal in the 25th minute and with ten minutes to go, the teams were level on a scoreboard reading 1=7 to 0=10.

Wicklow won the remaining time by 0=3 to 0=2 as Brendan Kearney’s charges were tantalisingly denied what would have been a richly deserving draw.

The winners were first to work the scoreboard via midfielder Oscar Nolan in the first minute with Dara Gough kicking the Deise into the lead in the 5th minute with another one of his season’s long two pointer frees in the 5th minute.

Enda Bloomer extended Waterford’s advantage in the 12th minute before Wicklow responded with a pointed free by their top scorer Odhran Cullen four minutes later and a score from play by Lucas Reid another five minutes into the game, level for the first time at 0=3 apiece.

Waterford enjoyed, perhaps, their best patch, when Rory Kirwan pointed from play in the 21st minute and then Tramore’s Charlie Smyth, nabbed the only goal of the hour four minutes later, the scoreboard looking good from a Deise viewpoint reading 1=4 to 0=3 in their favour.

There was nothing between the sides when they met in the Leinster league earlier in the year and it proved so again in Carlow when Wicklow responded with a brace of pointed frees by Josh Furlong and Odhran Cullen during the next five minutes.

A second Dara Gough score gave Waterford a 1=5 to 0=6 lead at the end of normal time in the half before Josh Furlong dissected the posts, 0=1 the difference as the teams headed for the dressing rooms.

SECOND HALF

Wicklow restarted better in a half that they won by 0=8 to 0=4. After an Aidan McMaugh score for the Deise, Wicklow replied with points by their ‘dependables’, Josh Furlong, Kiltegan and Odgran Culllen, Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney.

Wicklow drove on from here with a further 0=2 per Harry Butler and Sam Goodbody, the Garden County ahead in the 37th minute by 0=10 to 1=6. Credit Waterford, they showed their resilience after conceding 0=4 in a row when Rory Kirwan pointed in the 39th minute, 1=7 to 0=10.

Critically, there was no scoring for the next thirteen minutes before a 52nd minute point by Odhran Cullen broke the ice in this regard. His companion on the Wicklow scoresheet, Josh Furlong pointed from play two minutes later as Wicklow held the initiative at 0=12 to 1=7.

Deise midfielder Theo Meagher reduced the deficit to the bare minimum in the 55th minute with Cullen again breaking Waterford hearts with his team’s final score three minutes later. Try as they commendably did, Waterford could not score in the remaining normal time but a score from play in the third minute of added time, left just a point the difference between two obviously evenly matched sides.

Thus ended a year that will be long remembered by this group of players and their management team, playing seven championship games as well as their league ones and in the process giving under age football in the County a good boost.

Teams :

Waterford : Jack Sheehan; Shay Healy, James Skehan, Cian Power; Liam O Grady, Caolan Johnson, Anthony O Donnell; Theo Meagher, Tomas Walsh; Enda Bloomer, Aidan McMaugh, Dara Gough; Ronan Kirwan, Charlie Smyth, Rian Hallahan. Subs : Jack Casey for Aidan McMaugh (49), Rocco Cuddy for Rian Hallahan (56).

Wicklow : Peter Nolan, Chris Kehoe, Sean O Brien, Enda Leacy; Oscar Kelly, Conor Fitzgerald, Sean Byrne; Oscar Nolan, Joe Keeshan; Josh Furlong, Odhran Cullen, Lucas Reid; Harry Butler, Sean Corrigan, Lucas Reid. Sub : Daniel Duffy for Joe Keeshan (55).

Referee : Lar Murphy (Carlow).