Waterford masters get off to a winning start
The Waterford Masters team that defeated Wicklow in De La Salle at the weekend.
Waterford kicked off their 2024 Masters Football campaign with a tight win over Wicklow.
Played on the wonderful pitch in Gracedieu, all credit must go to the De La Salle GAA club for their excellent development there over the last number of years.
Waterford got off to a solid start with good possession and some well taken scores from team captain Lee Hayes and Rathgormack’s Tony Power in the first 10 minutes.
Kill’s stalwart Ray Hennessy was at his accurate best with another point and Waterford were in full flow.
Wicklow came back into it shortly after with great scores from long distance and from tight angles.
Waterford got their first goal with great work from their forwards closing down Wicklow’s short kick out, a great finish from Emmet Doherty as he rounded the keeper to make sure of the three points.
Joey Phelan made a fantastic off the ball run to receive the pass to tap over another just before half-time. At half-time Waterford led 1-4 to Wicklow’s 0-4.
Wicklow came out determined and ran at Waterford to close the gap just after half-time. Wicklow played the big man inside and delivered a lot high ball in there hoping to get their rewards.
Their big men ran at Waterford and ploughed the ball over the goal line.
All of a sudden the game was level, and with greater confidence, Wicklow kicked two unanswered points to take a two point lead with 10 minutes to go.
However Waterford went back into their possession game led by again by the imperious John Coffey, Waterford worked the scoreboard with a point from John Conway and then a fantastic finish from Brian Power 12 inches from the goal line.
Mark Nugent tapped over an all-important free, followed by a well taken Keith Bell point.
Waterford kept the ball very well and created three goal chances with minutes remaining, the game became a ding dong at both ends of the pitch.
As much as Wicklow tried, the Waterford defence weren’t going to concede a second goal.
A fantastic game of Gaelic football, with almost 40 over 40s giving their all over the 60 minutes.
A great advert for the game with some great displays of the age old skills of kicking and fielding.
Waterford will be playing at a west Waterford venue in two weeks’ time when they host Cork.
The Waterford Masters committee wish to thank De La Salle for use of wonderful facilities on an immaculate GAA pitch.
Waterford Masters wish to acknowledge sponsored gloves supplied by Top of the Left Sports.
We also wish to acknowledge Shanley Electrical for their previous sponsorship the jerseys.
To play Masters Football, the players contribute their money for registration and the added costs of hosting counties, referees, physios and of course footballs.
If any company wish to get behind this committed Waterford Masters Team, Please contact: Richard Halpin 086-6010197, Brian Power 087-1212255 or David Whelan 087-7808873.
Thomas Wall, Robin Croke, Gary Maher, Alan Kelly, Richard Halpin, Tony Power (0-1), Billy Dunbrell, John Coffey (0-2), John Conway (0-1), Joey Phelan (0-1), David Whelan, Brian Power (1-1), Emmett Doherty (1-0), Lee Hayes (Captain – 0-1), Ray Hennessy (0-1). Keith Bell (0-1), Mark Nugent (0-1), Padraig Bambrick, James Casey.
