Cormac Spain inspires Waterford to first minor title in 12 years with victory over Clare
It may have taken a Waterford injury-time blitz to separate the sides in Dungarvan two months earlier but there was definitely no doubting the result this time around as James O'Connor's side soared to a first All-Ireland Minor Hurling title in 12 years in FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles.
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Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Cormac Spain's 11-point haul helps Waterford secure All-Ireland minor title
All-Ireland MHC Final: Waterford 1-18 Clare 0-11 Waterford unquestionably saved their best for last when overpowering Clare on their way to a first All-Ireland minor hurling crown since 2013 at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles on Saturday. Having only pipped the Banner with a late surge in their group meeting two months ago in Dungarvan, another expected inch-tight wrestle for supremacy was emphatically sidestepped by a dominant Déise, who led from start to finish for their biggest victory of the championship. Even more impressively, they were led supremely by talisman Cormac Spain, who not only scored 11 points to take his overall tally to 8-75 in eight matches but remarkably did so despite being clearly hampered by a leg injury sustained in the opening minutes. The Ballygunner marksman had to receive treatment twice in the opening quarter but still endured for the entire hour, epitomising the character and determination of this new wave of Waterford hurlers. READ MORE After all, with their under 20 side only garnering one win in their last 19 matches since 2017 and even the flagship side struggling with five wins from 28 in the same period, this minor triumph couldn't have come at a more opportune time for Waterford. They couldn't have asked for a better start either as within seconds of the throw-in, a hopeful delivery towards the square broke perfectly for Dylan Murphy to tee up Pierce Quann to find the net. Quickly followed by points for Spain and Shane Power, the Déise were suddenly five points clear, a lead that they grittily managed to protect when Darragh Keane produced a timely block on a Liam Murphy goal-bound shot up the other end. Waterford's Shane Power celebrates after the game at Semple Stadium. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho In truth, Keane and fellow shadower Conor Lynch were outstanding throughout on Clare's twin threats Murphy and Paul Rodgers in Waterford's last line, ensuring that it took 13 minutes for Clare to get their first point from play through Ben Talty at 1-3 to 0-3. A wind-assisted Waterford pushed on again though, with Tommy Kennedy, Gearóid O'Shea and Spain (two) picking off the next four points, with Clare extremely grateful to goalkeeper Leon Talty for somehow repelling a Spain shot from point-blank range. Rodgers lofted over an excellent sideline while a Liam Murphy volley just cleared the crossbar for Clare. But they failed to build on those green shoots and would be punished by an inspirational Spain who converted four of the last five points to power his side into the dressingrooms 1-12 to 0-5 clear. With the conditions to come, a Banner backlash was anticipated and initially delivered as substitute John Barry (two) and Ian O'Brien combined for the opening three points of the new half by the 35th minute. However, Ger O'Connell's side were simply unable to sustain that surge as the dynamic Spain incrementally wrestled back control as the third quarter developed. Dylan Murphy had a shot blocked by Evan Crimmins while Spain would be denied again by goalkeeper Talty, but Waterford did have far more joy over his crossbar. Grabbing six of the next seven points to put the result beyond any doubt, they also restricted a wind-assisted Banner to only a solitary point for 23 minutes, a testament to a miserly defence just as much as their scoring prowess. Shane Power would score two further final-quarter points but the All-Ireland Final stage was patently made for the superb Spain. He first had a free tipped over the bar before adding another three in a row entering the final 10 minutes to add further anguish to a frustrated Banner. Waterford's Hugo Quann in action against Clare's Jake Gibbons. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho Indeed, despite the best efforts of Zak Phelan, Dara Kennedy and captain Graham Ball, a strangely subdued Clare simply had to concede second best to a utterly commanding Waterford who defiantly prevented Liam Murphy or Ball from even raiding for a consolation goal. With only two wins from 16 matches in the previous six seasons at minor level, this was their sixth victory of this campaign as James O'Connor's side completed the county's intercounty season on the ultimate high. Being the first grouping of a new development plan, it is envisaged that Waterford will look to rival their opponents Clare, who have now contested at least an All-Ireland semi-final in the last four years for the first time in their county's history. It's only Waterford's fourth All-Ireland minor success but felt every bit like their first for a bumper Déise support that enveloped Semple Stadium to usher in what they hope will be an exciting new chapter for Waterford hurling. WATERFORD: J Comerford; D Keane, C Lynch, Daragh Murphy; B Penkert, H Quann, T Kennedy (0-1); É McHugh (0-1), G O'Shea (0-2); S Power (0-3), J Power, P Quann (1-0); J Shanahan, Dylan Murphy, C Spain (0-11, 7f). Subs: None used. CLARE: L Talty; N Doyle, J O'Halloran, Z Phelan; E Crimmins, D Kennedy, C Daly; G Ball (0-1, f), E Cleary; I O'Brien (0-1), R Ralph, J O'Donnell; B Talty (0-1), P Rodgers (0-2, 1f, 1sl), L Murphy (0-2) Subs: J Barry (0-3, 3f) for Ralph (29 mins); G Marshall for B Talty (45); D Murrihy (0-1) for Cleary (52); J Gibbons for O'Donnell (60); D Mahon for Murphy (63). Referee: C McDonald (Antrim).
The 42
14 hours ago
- The 42
Waterford crowned All-Ireland minor hurling champions for first time since 2013
Waterford 1-17 Clare 0-10 Páraic McMahon reports from FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles WATERFORD ARE ALL-IRELAND minor hurling champions for the fourth time after producing an impressive display to overcome Clare for the second time this year. A first All-Ireland minor title since 2013 is the reward for James O'Connor's Déise who emerged as deserving winners on Saturday evening. 12 years ago their side included Stephen Bennett, Tom Devine, Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett but the class of 2025 were led by marksman Cormac Spain, Tommy Kennedy, Shane Power and Darragh Keane to ensure goalkeeper James Comerford received The Irish Press Cup from GAA President, Jarlath Burns. Burns in his presentation speech noted that victorious manager O'Connor was in the third year in charge, a tenure which began without recording a championship victory in year one, the journey included one win in year two but the destination arrived at is the promised land for his third year at the helm. Played in front of an attendance of 16,411, Waterford had the wind at their backs in the opening half of the Electric Ireland minor final. They had a dream start when wing forward Pierce Quann goaled inside the first minute as the Clare defence were caught napping. Points from Cormac Spain and Shane Power followed as they built up a five point advantage. By the 13th minute, Clare had made it a one score game with only three points between the sides. However, Waterford produced a very strong second quarter which included an unanswered tally of five points to close out the half and hold a 1-12 0-5 interval lead. Advertisement Waterford's Eanna McHugh with Clare's Evan Cleary and Dara Kennedy. Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO Ger O'Connell's Clare needed to start with a bang in the second half and they had three scores on the bounce via John Barry on the double and one from Ian O'Brien. That was as good as it got for the Banner who only hit two points for the remainder of the game. Ballygunner ace Cormac Spain continued to be the scorer in chief over the hour, finishing with eleven points to his name, he picked some off excellent efforts and it was made all the more impressive as he was visibly carrying a knee injury but persevered. Waterford stayed resolute despite holding a comfortable lead and through Spain and Shane Power they kept their account ticking over to run out as deserving winners by a margin of ten points, an increase on their six point victory when the sides met in the Munster championship at the beginning of May. Dara Kennedy and Zak Phelan impressed for Clare who found that their attacking threat was well nullified on the day. Spain was player of the game excelling at full forward with Shane Power effective in the air and when given the time to shoot. Tommy Kennedy, Gearoid O'Shea, Bradley Penkert and Darragh Keane also stood out for the All-Ireland champions. Scorers for Waterford: C Spain (0-11 6f), P Quann (1-0), S Power (0-3), G O'Shea (0-2), E McHugh (0-1), T Kennedy (0-1) Scorers for Clare: J Barry (0-3 3f), P Rodgers (0-2 1f 1SC), L Murphy (0-2), B Talty (0-1), I O'Brien (0-1), D Murrihy (0-1). Waterford 1. James Comerford (Ballygunner); 3. Darragh Murphy (St Mary's East), 4. Darragh Keane (De La Salle), 2. Conor Lynch (Geraldines) 5. Bradley Penkert (Mount Sion), 6. Hugo Quann (Lismore), 7. Tommy Kennedy (Mount Sion) 8. Éanna McHugh (Roanmore), 9. Gearóid O'Shea (St Molleran's) 12. Shane Power (De La Salle), 11. Jack Power (Ballygunner), 10. Pierce Quinn (Dungarvan) 13. Dylan Murphy (Roanmore), 14. Cormac Spain (Ballygunner), 15. Jamie Shanahan (Erins Own). Subs Clare 1. Leon Talty (St Joseph's Doora/Barefield) 3. Jack O'Halloran (Sixmilebridge), 2. Niall Doyle (Éire Óg), 4. Zak Phelan (Sixmilebridge); 5. Evan Crimmins (Newmarket-on-Fergus), 6. Dara Kennedy (Ballyea), 7. Colm Daly (St Joseph's Doora/Barefield); 8. Graham Ball (St Joseph's Doora/Barefield), 9. Evan Cleary (Ballyea); 13. Ian O'Brien (Cratloe), 10. Rory Ralph (Clarecastle), 11. James O'Donnell (Broadford); 14. Paul Rodgers (Scariff), 15. Liam Murphy (O'Callaghans Mills), 12. Ben Talty (St Joseph's Doora/Barefield). Subs 20. John Barry (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Ralph (28) 21. Gavin Marshall (Parteen/Meelick) for B Talty (45) 17. Darragh Murrihy (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Cleary (51) 24. Jake Gibbons (Whitegate) for O'Donnell (60) 22. Donncha Mahon (Clooney/Quin) for Murphy (63) Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
After years of underage hurt, Waterford hurling has new starting point
'This is the starting point for our county,' declared Waterford minor manager James O'Connor after masterminding a fresh chapter in the county's underage fortunes. Across the 2022, '23, and '24 seasons, Waterford's combined minor and U20 championship record read a worrying 21 defeats from 24 outings. The 2025 U20 class fared no better. Four defeats from four outings to bring the winless run at that age-grade to 13 games. And then came the minor class. This bright young beacon of hope. Cork were the only team to better them in Munster, in both the round-robin and decider. The Déise kids regrouped for the All-Ireland series, downing Limerick, Kilkenny, and Clare to collect the Irish Press Cup from halfway up Thurles' Ryan Stand. A stunning 10-point final win. A stunning shift in the county's underage fortunes. 'This is the starting point for our county. I hope now it continues on,' said Waterford boss O'Connor. 'It is vitally important that we keep reproducing these types of players and keep the standards that are there. I am a firm believer in high standards and that they can never drop. Because if the standards drop, performance drops. It is a case of high-level all the time and I'd be hoping that is the way it is going to continue on over the next number of years. 'When you get a good bunch, you must look after them, you must keep developing the bunch, and you must keep adding to the bunch. And that is what we have to do over the next three and four years with these guys. There is a good base there for a senior team again. But we must keep adding to that over the next three or four years. 'We are not going to be winning minor All-Irelands every second year and there is no point saying otherwise. But we can be developing players to a very high standard and have them in a way that when we get them to the senior grade, that we are ultra-competitive.' O'Connor described the campaign just concluded as unbelievable. After no championship victory in his debut season in charge and only one victory last year, this 'rollercoaster journey' went in a welcome new direction in recent weeks and months. 'No words can describe what it will do for the county. And what it will do for those players, which is the most important thing, is out of this world. There is going to be belief there now in a bunch of players and a belief in our county in what we can do and what we can produce as well. And it is vital we keep that going over the next few years.' Having failed to produce anything close to a 60-minute performance in Munster, O'Connor cited the three-point semi-final win over Kilkenny as their turning point. The confidence created by that result fed a lightning fast start here. By the eighth minute, Waterford led 1-3 to 0-1. They were never caught. 'The more wins we got, the more belief grew within the group. The semi-final was the turning point. The belief after that shot through the roof. And you see then what happened today. 'Over a lot of our games we have started very poorly. And we said today we are coming out of the traps at 100 miles an hour. We didn't want to be trailing five or six points after 10 minutes. In fairness to the lads, it started from the very start. We got 1-2 on the bounce. It set them up then for a strong hour. 'It is days like today that make all the work and all the long January nights worthwhile. I couldn't be happier.' A county couldn't be happier.
