NHL Division One A/Waterford 6-12 Down 0-8: At the best of times, the ramparts of Down hurling are manned by a thin red line. So when the fragile system is rocked, as it was this week, by the sudden withdrawal of half a dozen of its most experienced parts, it leaves a lot of daylight between the ranks.
Through those gaps Waterford could pour the power, pace and proficiency of hurlers like John Mullane, Dan Shanahan and Paul Flynn yesterday, and it was hardly surprising that Down were floundering by half-time, as Waterford had already established a comfortable 3-6 to 0-5 lead.
The strange thing about it was Down had actually played their best hurling of the game in the opening 15 minutes against the breeze. But Clinton Hennessy had saved twice, in brilliant fashion, from Andy Savage and Paul Branniff, so Waterford led by 1-3 to 0-1 before they had really settled.
It was ominous for Down as Jack Kennedy cracked in the visitors' second goal in the 16th minute, after Graham Clarke had beaten out a fierce effort from Paul Flynn. A powerful run from Shanahan set up goal number three for Séamus Prendergast and Prendergast grabbed his second seven minutes into the second half after a Paul Flynn penalty had been stopped in the goalmouth.
Down did earn their share of possession in the second half, largely due to the tireless work of midfielder Ciarán Coulter, but a careless tally of 16 wides over the duration of the game prevented them ever attaining a respectable position on the scoreboard.
Waterford polished them off with further goals from Jack Kennedy and John Mullane in the closing minutes.
DOWN: Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, S Roddy; K Courtney, A Dynes, Gabriel Clarke; C Coulter (0-2), A Savage; R McGrattan, B McGourty (0-1), P Hughes; E Clarke, P Branniff (0-5, three frees), E McGuinness. Subs: A McGuinness for Dynes.
WATERFORD: C Hennessy; T Feeney, K Moran, D Coffey; B Phelan, K McGrath, E Murphy; M Walsh, D Bennett; D Shanahan (0-4), J Kennedy (2-0), E McGrath; J Mullane (1-3), S Prendergast (2-0), P Flynn (1-4, three frees). Subs: E Kelly for Bennett, S O'Sullivan (0-1) for E McGrath, T Browne for Murphy; E Murphy for Coffey, J Hartley for Walsh. Blood substitute; S O'Sullivan for Walsh; Walsh for O'Sullivan.
Referee: F. Smith (Meath)
Wexford and Cork could face a fixture dilemma following the postponing of their National Hurling League game yesterday.
Referee Barry Kinsella carried out an inspection of the pitch at 1pm and declared the game doubtful. Following a further inspection at 2.15pm with officials from both counties he called off the game, declaring the pitch unplayable owing to water logging.
Wexford manager Séamus Murphy expressed disappointment. "We were up for the game and it's disappointing that it was unable to go ahead," said Murphy.
"We'll just have to wait for another day."
