Munster Final - Tipp v Waterford 12.7.09 - here's hoping for a classic.

deiseach · July 13, 2009, 03:36:47 PM

Quote from: orangeman on July 13, 2009, 02:55:30 PM
I know that Mullane got MOM yesterday but for me the man who hurled the most yesterday was the Brick. I thought he was head and shoulders better than anybody on the pitch.

Agreed. He was out of this world in the second half. The thought of Ken McGrath returning to the forwards where he belongs is a heartening one

AZOffaly · July 13, 2009, 03:37:29 PM

Was a toss up between them I'd say. I've said before I have great time for Mullane, and I thought his wry smile up to the Tipp fans when he hit a wide was great to see. It's nice to see lads enjoy themselves even in the big games. He went up in my estimation after 2004, and he's continued in that vein.

orangeman · July 13, 2009, 03:40:21 PM

Quote from: AZOffaly on July 13, 2009, 03:37:29 PM
Was a toss up between them I'd say. I've said before I have great time for Mullane, and I thought his wry smile up to the Tipp fans when he hit a wide was great to see. It's nice to see lads enjoy themselves even in the big games. He went up in my estimation after 2004, and he's continued in that vein.

How long is Mc Grath out for

?

Mullane when he gets a good diagonal ball in, is nearly unmarkable at the minute. He's fearless. Got split yesterday but still wanted more.

deiseach · July 13, 2009, 03:54:36 PM

Ken is out until the (potential) semi-final.

QuoteMcGrath reveals injury heartbreak

08 July 2009

Ken McGrath admits it's "heartbreaking" to miss Waterford's Munster SHC final showdown with Tipperary due to his latest injury setback.

The 31-year-old Mount Sion colossus will miss the rest of Waterford's campaign unless they reach the All-Ireland semi-finals after undergoing knee surgery the day after the drawn Munster SHC semi-final against Limerick. And given his knee, hamstring and knee problems in the lead-up to that game, he now acknowledges that he shouldn't have played.

"I've had a lot of injuries coming up to championship time over the last few years and it's hard to take," he said.

"But you don't want to go out like that either. I put in a big effort this year and I wanted to give it a good lash. It's cruel and the last few weeks have been very hard.

"Tadhg O'Sullivan is after doing all the operations on my knees over the years. Hopefully, I'll be able to get it right some way and be able to offer something to the lads.

"I still love it and I still enjoy it. I'd love to give it a few more years, but at this stage I just don't know. I have had so many injuries at this stage, my heart is broken."

After three knee operations in the last two years, McGrath concedes that it will be a difficult road back.

"I still feel that I have something to offer Waterford, but at the minute I'm not able to give it. It's very frustrating - it's hard to take."

orangeman · July 13, 2009, 03:56:40 PM

Operation on his knee - I'd be amazed if he makes it back this year.

deiseach · July 13, 2009, 03:59:21 PM

Quote from: orangeman on July 13, 2009, 03:56:40 PM
Operation on his knee - I'd be amazed if he makes it back this year.

Ach, don't wreck me buzz!

Reillers · July 13, 2009, 09:06:31 PM

I never liked the man, not for a few years, especially after he gave us the finger in 03. But in fairness, lately to be honest, he's been amazing, he's carrying the Waterford team on his back, when everyone else choked last year in the AI final, when they all went and hid under a rock, he was the only one who stood up and played his heart out.
And he must be one of the most fouled players, and refs aren't too fast to give frees to him. He's a class act, he's been, by a clear mile, the best forward in the Championship so far.

When the Tipp fans were giving him stick and he just laughed away at it, used to it by now I suppose, but it was good to see almost. His point taking has improved immeasurably over the years, and his ability to take the from both sides has also improved hugely making him a much more rounded player. All Star nailed on already this year I'd say, unless something goes incredibly wrong, and a definite hurler of the year candidate so far as well.

Never liked John Mullane before but he's grown on me there in the past few years.
The man is a true symbol of GAA, his passion is unquestionable. Which was clear when Waterfored were getting destroyed in last years final. He always gives 110% and is such a skillful player, but totally underated. He gets a doing all right from most fans, Cork supporters included.
But while doing that there will be a respect there. He's rash moments all right that make him look like an idiot but, other then that, after all he's done for Waterford over the last few seasons, I wouldn't mind him getting player of the year this year, he deserves it for carrying Waterford for the past few years.
Very impressed by him this year. Doesn't get the credit he deserves.

..That said this new found respect and like for him will probably go out the window in a second if Cork end up getting past Galway and playing Waterford. I hated him for a few years there, but stepping back, and especially when you consider he's near the end of his career, you recognise the work he's done and the credit that he doesn't get.
Very impressed by him this year. Doesn't get the credit he deserves. His workrate is unreal. He gets a lot of abuse from everyone from any county which at this point in his career, I don't think he deserves anymore.
If Kilkenny win the AI again this year I'd be farely annoyed if they got the majority of AI and Mullane was robbed an All Star and HOTY, just for the sake of it and one/two good games from a KK player.
A great player and a true symbol of the GAA.

Bing Crosby . · July 13, 2009, 10:57:13 PM

I agree with you Relliers . Mullane has been and continues to be an outstanding servant to Waterford for many years now . The man is the embodiment of passion .

Yesterday though with two or three minutes remaining on the clock with Waterford five points down he had the time and oppertunity to pass the ball to Dan who was in space more centrally on front of goal . IMO Dan would certainly have scored a goal had Mullane passed quickly to him . He didn't pass the ball and elected to take a point from a tight angle , which he scored . I thought it was selfish . Split second decisions like that make or brake a team .

All in all Tipp deserved their victory yet it must be said that Waterford had their chances and didn't take them .

imtommygunn · July 13, 2009, 11:27:59 PM

What age is Mullane?

He's a few years in him yet I'd say. I thought he was maybe not that much older than 26?

Great hurler. Looks like a very troubled person but he now channels everything where it should be. Controlled aggression.

Reillers · July 13, 2009, 11:32:04 PM

Quote from: imtommygunn on July 13, 2009, 11:27:59 PM
What age is Mullane?

He's a few years in him yet I'd say. I thought he was maybe not that much older than 26?

Great hurler. Looks like a very troubled person but he now channels everything where it should be. Controlled aggression.

God knows, he's been around for so long. He's about 29/30 at this stage I'd say, he'd have to be. I think it was Diarmuid O Sullivan there who said in the paper that he's a sound lad, a complete gent.

orangeman · July 14, 2009, 12:16:19 AM

Quote from: Bing Crosby . on July 13, 2009, 10:57:13 PM
I agree with you Relliers . Mullane has been and continues to be an outstanding servant to Waterford for many years now . The man is the embodiment of passion .

Yesterday though with two or three minutes remaining on the clock with Waterford five points down he had the time and oppertunity to pass the ball to Dan who was in space more centrally on front of goal . IMO Dan would certainly have scored a goal had Mullane passed quickly to him . He didn't pass the ball and elected to take a point from a tight angle , which he scored . I thought it was selfish . Split second decisions like that make or brake a team .

All in all Tipp deserved their victory yet it must be said that Waterford had their chances and didn't take them .

Mullane probably reckoned it was pointless giving it to Dan such is his indifferent form.

AZOffaly · July 14, 2009, 11:17:54 AM

Maybe he thought it was Maurice, and was afraid in case he decided to drive it up Maher's hole again.

imtommygunn · July 14, 2009, 11:26:00 AM

28

http://www.hurlingstats.com/show_player_matches.php?plrid=15

orangeman · July 14, 2009, 02:52:13 PM

Just watched the match again today. Waterfotd were very poor in the 1st half. Tipp's full back line were there for the taking but Waterford's forwards apart from Mullane were not up to the task. IMHO Waterford won't be doing anything of any significance this year.

Read an interesting piece by Molumphy in Sunday's Indo in which he said that getting rid of Justin was the best thing that happened Waterford hurling. He also said that Justin didn't keep in touch with any of the players after he left and that Justin would probably not speak to him if they met on the street.

Smart fella !!

AZOffaly · July 14, 2009, 02:56:50 PM

by the way, on the morning of the game Conor O'Mahony sent his mother over to my next door neighbours house with a Tipp training jersey for the 7 year old girl that lives there, signed by himself, Shane McGrath and a few others.

Nice gesture, and things that people don't hear about often. He probably has 100 training kits, but now the little girl has one from her heroes.