ALONGSIDE THE THREE city sides left in the Waterford SHC, one club in the opposite corner of the county are looking to achieve a historic first in their centenary year.
Their valley between Clonmel and Dungarvan is better known for Ballymacarbry’s 10 All-Ireland LGFA titles or The Nire’s 11 Waterford football crowns, but their sister club, Fourmilewater, is now eyeing a first-ever senior hurling final appearance.
“It’s a big area, but I would say there’s probably 300 houses in the whole thing, so you’re probably talking about a pick of less than 1,000 people,” says Michael Ryan, the former Waterford hurling manager and club stalwart.
“But then again, if you look back in sports, some of the greatest teams, like Loughmore, have a very small pick.
“If this thing was about population, China would be playing India in the World Cup final, so it’s not about that. It’s about getting the best out of the resources you have.”
They have certainly been doing that this year. The minors won through to the Division 2 county final on Wednesday. On Saturday, the junior Bs face their own county final against Ballygunner. On Sunday, the club take on Roanmore at Fraher Field with a place in the senior decider up for grabs.
It’s a true 50-50 contest. They drew in the group stage and finished tied on top, separated by just three points on score difference. Last year’s quarter-final also ended all square after 60 minutes before Roanmore edged it in extra-time.
One hundred years on from Fourmilewater’s 1926 foundation, they have switched to the club’s original blue and white stripes. They would love to mark the centenary with an appearance in the hurling showpiece.
The club would like to thank everyone who attended the 100th anniversary jersey launch last night and the committee who organised the event 🔵⚪️. pic.twitter.com/Wou4mIG87N
Ryan reports that it will be treated as just another game. For him, that means a nervous viewing experience.
“The most difficult part of my career was being a spectator because it’s torture in the stands. There’s nothing you can do about it,” says Ryan.
“I’ll probably go and sit on my own because I’m not good company when there’s a match going on. I tend to play every ball.
“But at the same time, it’s an opportunity to admire what these fellas are doing and wish them well and urge them on and that’s all you can do. Your hands are tied to a certain extent, but I’m really enjoying the way they are playing hurling at the moment.”
Advertisement
The shared support extends across all teams, including that minor side Ryan is involved in mentoring.
“I saw it at the minor game on Wednesday night. When it was in the balance, nearly all the senior players were there.
“You had people like Jamie Barron doing the water and all the senior players were together over on the bank. It means a lot to the younger players when the senior players show an interest and go out to the games and support them.
“It’s a complete package between the whole parish, supporters, club officers, players, management. You’ll find the successful teams going through the years, there’s a real pride in their club.”
Three-time All-Star Barron is their captain, but there are plenty of Waterford representatives among their ranks. Full-forward Seán Walsh has scored 3-14 to date. Jamie’s younger brother, Tom, is another county panellist. Conor Gleeson was a Déise regular in the past decade.
Sean Walsh breaks the ball down to himself before putting it over the bar 🎯 🔥
Seán Walsh, Aaron Ryan, Oisín Walsh, Michael Morrissey, Evan and Paddy Spellman, Pat Walsh, and Fionn Hallinan have all played at U20 level for Waterford in the past five seasons.
Their defence features inter-county footballers such as Dermot Ryan and Tholom Guiry. Aaron Ryan, scorer of 3-65 this year, is also on the Déise panel.
“We have a very young team,” says Michael Ryan. “We have something like 11 players under 25 or 26 years of age.
“Then you have a few older hands thrown in. You have Stephen Ryan in goal and he’s crucial to the whole thing. The likes of James McGrath, Jamie Barron, and Conor Gleeson will always be key players.
“It’s a nice blend of youth and experience and hopefully that will count for something. I’ve never seen them prepare as well as they’ve prepared for this, but at the end of the day, preparation only gets you ready for the game. You still have got to go and do it when the ball is thrown in.”
Ryan first served as Fourmile player-coach in the late ‘70s. His most recent stint as manager was from 2021 to 2023.
“Would you believe it, in each of those three years, the team that knocked us out was Ballygunner. We seemed to be attracted to Ballygunner like a magnet and they beat us in the semi-final in ‘23, so I stepped away from it then.”
His son, Shane, who is out injured, is now giving a hand on the sideline as part of Richard O’Keeffe’s backroom team.
“One of the biggest things we did in 2014 is we took a leaf out of Loughmore’s book and we appointed the same management for the hurling and football,” says Ryan.
“Before that, we seemed to be pulling in slightly different directions, but now we have the same management for both. We have a different coach for the hurling to the football but the same manager, same selectors. That has helped us no end.
“But there’ll be no talk about football until the die is cast in the hurling.”
In that regard, is there anyone who can stop the All-Ireland champions, Ballygunner, in their bid for 13 consecutive Waterford SHC titles?
“Ballygunner have got to where they are by the way they prepare. They’ve created a culture down there,” says Ryan.
“I don’t think the gap is as wide as people think. They will probably have their hands full with De La Salle this weekend as well because that was a very close game last year.
“There are four teams left in the championship. Any one of those four teams hit their peak and they’re capable of winning the championship.
“From our point of view, the only thing that matters is at 3.45pm on Sunday when the referee throws in the ball.
“But everybody will fancy their chances of this year’s championship. Ballygunner are the favourites, deservedly so, but the News and Star Cup isn’t handed out yet, so there’s an awful lot to play for.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
'If this thing was about population, China would be playing India in the World Cup final'
ALONGSIDE THE THREE city sides left in the Waterford SHC, one club in the opposite corner of the county are looking to achieve a historic first in their centenary year.
Their valley between Clonmel and Dungarvan is better known for Ballymacarbry’s 10 All-Ireland LGFA titles or The Nire’s 11 Waterford football crowns, but their sister club, Fourmilewater, is now eyeing a first-ever senior hurling final appearance.
“It’s a big area, but I would say there’s probably 300 houses in the whole thing, so you’re probably talking about a pick of less than 1,000 people,” says Michael Ryan, the former Waterford hurling manager and club stalwart.
“But then again, if you look back in sports, some of the greatest teams, like Loughmore, have a very small pick.
They have certainly been doing that this year. The minors won through to the Division 2 county final on Wednesday. On Saturday, the junior Bs face their own county final against Ballygunner. On Sunday, the club take on Roanmore at Fraher Field with a place in the senior decider up for grabs.
It’s a true 50-50 contest. They drew in the group stage and finished tied on top, separated by just three points on score difference. Last year’s quarter-final also ended all square after 60 minutes before Roanmore edged it in extra-time.
One hundred years on from Fourmilewater’s 1926 foundation, they have switched to the club’s original blue and white stripes. They would love to mark the centenary with an appearance in the hurling showpiece.
Ryan reports that it will be treated as just another game. For him, that means a nervous viewing experience.
“The most difficult part of my career was being a spectator because it’s torture in the stands. There’s nothing you can do about it,” says Ryan.
“But at the same time, it’s an opportunity to admire what these fellas are doing and wish them well and urge them on and that’s all you can do. Your hands are tied to a certain extent, but I’m really enjoying the way they are playing hurling at the moment.”
The shared support extends across all teams, including that minor side Ryan is involved in mentoring.
“I saw it at the minor game on Wednesday night. When it was in the balance, nearly all the senior players were there.
“You had people like Jamie Barron doing the water and all the senior players were together over on the bank. It means a lot to the younger players when the senior players show an interest and go out to the games and support them.
“It’s a complete package between the whole parish, supporters, club officers, players, management. You’ll find the successful teams going through the years, there’s a real pride in their club.”
Three-time All-Star Barron is their captain, but there are plenty of Waterford representatives among their ranks. Full-forward Seán Walsh has scored 3-14 to date. Jamie’s younger brother, Tom, is another county panellist. Conor Gleeson was a Déise regular in the past decade.
Seán Walsh, Aaron Ryan, Oisín Walsh, Michael Morrissey, Evan and Paddy Spellman, Pat Walsh, and Fionn Hallinan have all played at U20 level for Waterford in the past five seasons.
Their defence features inter-county footballers such as Dermot Ryan and Tholom Guiry. Aaron Ryan, scorer of 3-65 this year, is also on the Déise panel.
“We have a very young team,” says Michael Ryan. “We have something like 11 players under 25 or 26 years of age.
“Then you have a few older hands thrown in. You have Stephen Ryan in goal and he’s crucial to the whole thing. The likes of James McGrath, Jamie Barron, and Conor Gleeson will always be key players.
“It’s a nice blend of youth and experience and hopefully that will count for something. I’ve never seen them prepare as well as they’ve prepared for this, but at the end of the day, preparation only gets you ready for the game. You still have got to go and do it when the ball is thrown in.”
Ryan first served as Fourmile player-coach in the late ‘70s. His most recent stint as manager was from 2021 to 2023.
His son, Shane, who is out injured, is now giving a hand on the sideline as part of Richard O’Keeffe’s backroom team.
“One of the biggest things we did in 2014 is we took a leaf out of Loughmore’s book and we appointed the same management for the hurling and football,” says Ryan.
“Before that, we seemed to be pulling in slightly different directions, but now we have the same management for both. We have a different coach for the hurling to the football but the same manager, same selectors. That has helped us no end.
“But there’ll be no talk about football until the die is cast in the hurling.”
In that regard, is there anyone who can stop the All-Ireland champions, Ballygunner, in their bid for 13 consecutive Waterford SHC titles?
“Ballygunner have got to where they are by the way they prepare. They’ve created a culture down there,” says Ryan.
“I don’t think the gap is as wide as people think. They will probably have their hands full with De La Salle this weekend as well because that was a very close game last year.
“There are four teams left in the championship. Any one of those four teams hit their peak and they’re capable of winning the championship.
“From our point of view, the only thing that matters is at 3.45pm on Sunday when the referee throws in the ball.
“But everybody will fancy their chances of this year’s championship. Ballygunner are the favourites, deservedly so, but the News and Star Cup isn’t handed out yet, so there’s an awful lot to play for.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ballygunner Ballymacarbry Fourmilewater Fourmilewater GAA GAA Hurling Roanmore The Nire Waterford SHC