Waterford SFC Team of 2024
Rathgormack's James Power has been named as the player of the 2024 Championship.
An adventurous goalkeeper with an eye for a score. Nailed four frees off the ground against Gaultier. In the relegation play-off with Brickey Rangers, he saved from Cormac O’Grady and landed a dead ball off his trusty right boot.
A warrior in the Ballinacourty back line. His meaty challenges, his interceptions and his ability to win frees lifted the players around him. The Courty captain also ploughed forward and slotted points against Brickey Rangers and Kilrossanty.
A sticky full back. Held Stephen Curry scoreless on county final day. Made a brilliant block on his inter county team mate. Denied JJ Hutchinson a goal in the semi final. He raised a white flag in the big win over Brickey Rangers.
The enforcer in the Rathgormack defence. Won crucial frees in the final versus Ballinacourty. His introduction turned the group game against the same opposition. He injected more urgency and produced a goal saving block on Dean Beresford. Policed Conor Gleeson in the semi final and kept him scoreless. Hard to beat in a one to one duel.
Throws himself into every game be it football or hurling. In the decider, he somehow barrelled his way through five Rathgormack tackles and produced a spectacular outside of the boot point. He shot three in the quarter final against Clashmore/Kinsalebeg and one in the semi final against Gaultier. Sturdy and silky.
A strong and strapping presence at the centre of Kenny Hassett’s defence. Back after two cruciate knee ligament injuries. Plucked kickouts out of the clouds like his brother Peter. The big man is also comfortable carrying the ball forward and creating scoring opportunities. James McGrath (The Nire) and Tommy Martin (Gaultier) are unlucky to miss out.
The All Star hurler showed his prowess with the big ball this autumn. The number seven delivered 1-12 from play in six outings. In the semi final loss to Rathgormack, he was the one shining light with 1-3 off left and right. Four points in ten second half minutes rescued victory from the jaws of defeat against Roanmore. One of the top performers in championship 2024.
A throwback midfielder who is a magnet for kickouts. The towering number eight won seven aerial duels against The Nire in the semi final. Wandered into full forward at times and fired home the first goal of the county final. Made a mighty fetch in the build-up to the second.
A high performing hurler and footballer. In the green of Gaultier, he glides through defenders like a basketball player. Shoots long range points for fun. Landed four from play against Roanmore and three against An Rinn. Scored 2-1 in the loss to Clashmore/Kinsalebeg.
A ball carrying wing forward who sliced through defences all season long. Unstoppable once he got the O’Neills in his hands. At the heart of Rathgormack’s storming second half performance on county final day. The number ten scored 1-1 and assisted another green flag for Peter Walsh as he weaved in and out of Ballinacourty backs. Fired 2-6 from play in five games. His other goal arrived against Brickey Rangers. In the group match against Courty, a pinpoint kick pass led to a goal for Stephen Curry. Unselfish runner and worker. Player of the Championship.
Reliable long range shooter from dead balls and from open play. 1-24 across five matches for the Waterford captain. Nailed nine points in the runaway semi final win over The Nire (six by half time). Kicked a boomer from 50 metres in the first half of the county final. Happy to roll up the sleeves as well and help out his defence.
Kicked eye catching points throughout the championship off his lethal left peg. Knocked over three from play as the Sky Blues ran The Nire close. Followed that up with 1-3 against Gaultier and two points against Stradbally. Completed the campaign with 1-10. Conor Murray was also in contention.
Point taker and play maker. Kicked two beauties off his left against The Nire. Split the uprights from 45 metres during the first quarter of the final against Ballinacourty. In the second half, he played a glorious pass to set up a Cathal Crowch point and made on a mazy solo run which created the game changing goal for Peter Walsh.
A goal getter for club and county. The ‘Gooch’ netted twice against Brickey Rangers and also raised green flags against Ballinacourty and The Nire. The slippery full forward finished up with 4-6 from play. Honourable mentions for Patrick Hurney and Paul Whyte.
In his 22nd season, the former county man came up with 28 points including seven against both Ballinacourty and An Rinn. Still has a knack of getting out in front, creating a yard of space and pulling the trigger. When the Roanmore game was in the fire, JJ came up with a jaw dropping point from 45 metres off his right boot. Class is permanent.
