Injury ravaged Waterford can still reach A standard
Waterford’s Jack Prendergast Photo: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Promotion is Peter Queally’s first priority. He made no secret of that upon his appointment as Waterford hurling manager last summer.
“It’s paramount that we get promotion to Division 1 and that in 2026, Waterford are hurling against the best teams and filling Walsh Park in February and March for league games.” Division 1B is not where the team or the county board want to be. For crowds, TV coverage and championship preparation, 1A is the only show in town.
Two places in the 2026 top flight are up for grabs. Dublin, without the Na Fianna contingent, set out their stall with a fourteen point win over Antrim in Croke Park last Saturday. Even with a long injury list, the Déise should also make a swift return to the big league. Anything less would be a disappointment.
Those injuries have been the main pre-season talking point around the county. Queally won’t be able to call on Austin Gleeson, Tadhg De Burca, Conor Prunty, Stephen Bennett or Darragh Lyons until March at the earliest. New captain Dessie Hutchinson may return for the Davy Fitzgerald Derby with Antrim at the end of February. The absence of Calum Lyons, Neil Montgomery, Jack Fagan and Colin Dunford diminishes Queally’s options further.
All that said, Mark Fitzgerald, Jamie Barron, Jack Prendergast, Patrick Curran, Michael Kiely and Shane Bennett will all board the bus to Carlow on Sunday. They are well capable of leading a depleted Déise side through the opening rounds.
Waterford played Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford and Limerick in January challenge games. They lost to John Kiely’s men by six points in the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday (1-21 to 0-18). Patrick Fitzgerald scored six points, including three frees, in his first runout of 2025. Patrick Curran and Padraig Fitzgerald notched three apiece. Unexpectedly, Michael Kiely has seen action in the half back line against both Limerick and Wexford.
Injuries have opened the door for the rookies on the Déise panel. Seamus Fitzgerald, Conor Keane, Sam Fitzgerald, Willie Beresford and Tom O’Connell will all see game time this season. Seamus Fitzgerald stood out at corner back on the challenge circuit. Reuben Halloran also showed promise until he suffered a heel injury against Wexford. Sean Walsh should feature in the half forward line. His ability to win high ball, force turnovers and create scores could be an asset come Munster championship time.
As it has been in recent years, the number one shirt is a close call between Shaun O’Brien and Billy Nolan. Both of them will get opportunities in the next couple of months. O’Brien’s shot stopping and short puckouts give him a slight edge.
Another issue to iron out is the free taking. Who will take them when Clare land in Walsh Park on April 27? Stephen Bennett may be the most reliable but his hip issues persist.
Twelve Martin Kavanagh frees earned Carlow a share of the spoils against Offaly in Tullamore last Saturday (0-19 to 1-16). Three minutes into injury time, ‘Mouse’ nailed the equaliser from his own 65.
Kilkenny's Tom Mullally is back for his fifth season with the Barrow men. His brother Paddy, manager of Ferrybank, is also part of the set-up. Former Waterford football captain Shane Briggs has joined the backroom team this season after spending three years under Stephen Molumphy in Kerry.
Carlow secured a famous draw with Kilkenny last May in Netwatch Cullen Park but still suffered relegation from the Leinster championship. A final day defeat to Antrim sent them back down to Joe McDonagh level.
1990 was the last time the Waterford hurlers travelled to Carlow. They have won all eight league meetings. In 2019, Paraic Fanning’s team ran out fourteen point victors at Fraher Field.
There will be a few nervy moments on Sunday but even a diminished Déise should have enough quality to make a winning start.
