GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 23 – April 10, 2015 | Page 51

TIPPERARY V WATERFORD
This is an intriguing semi-final matchup in that Tipp, despite
an early blip, have been perhaps the most impressive team in
1A, while Waterford have been the most eye-catching in 1B.
Waterford are building a team from U21 and minor players
with a nice blend of backs and forwards. Jamie Barron at midfield has been one of the players of both leagues to date and
orchestrates things for Waterford from mid-pitch up. Austin
Gleeson, a U18 player just in 2013 when the Deise won the All
Ireland, is a powerhouse with skill and intelligence and a future
star for Waterford. He also wants to win and is a leader on
the field despite his young years. Former center back Michael
‘Brick’ Walsh has been thriving in his role in attack and his use
of ball and quick thinking adds greatly to Waterford upfront.
Tipp’s center back Padraic Maher’s has been a rock throughout the league and together with influential midfielder James
Woodlock and a host of wristy skilful forwards, Tipp will still
be tough to beat. Plus, they have a good bench to call on for
late scores. Tipperary will be up for this especially as it’s being
played in Nolan Park, the home of their fiercest rivals, Kilkenny, and will be keen to progress to the final. This game will
be an acid test for this new Waterford side and should they
do well their arrival back to the bigtime will have been announced.
A word about the relegation final between victor’s Kilkenny
and demoted Clare. The All Ireland champions though still
not back to full strength just scraped home in this one. Kilkenny’s normally rock solid defense was deeply troubled especially in the second half. Paul Murphy got taken to the cleaners at full back and to this scribe’s eye he isn’t comfortable in
the position. The Cats will have to sort this out if they are to
defend their All Ireland crown later in the year. Not all bad
for Clare as they were unlucky to lose the magnificent Tony
Kelly to injury in the dying moments just when they need him
most. Clare - demoted but not out for th