Pauric Mahony held fragile hope in his hands. Kilkenny and Waterford stood, battle-weary, on the cusp of the All-Ireland final last year when Mahony faced a last-minute free. His delivery was answering prayers until Eoin Murphy reached above the Kilkenny crossbar to pluck it from the sky. And hope melted away in the Déise camp.

Tramore in August, and heat rising up out of the ground like the breath of a snoring devil. The race meeting in the Waterford track usually takes place with the southeast riviera looking its best back down the hill, the long beach wheeling east, and it was the same last Thursday for the first evening of races.

One of the South-East’s most popular annual social events gets under starter’s orders this week when racing enthusiasts, fashionistas and more will descend on the seaside village of Tramore.

Waterford GAA supporters group Club Déise have strongly refuted claims that they didn’t cooperate with outgoing football manager Niall Carew.

Waterford footballers have asked the county board not to accept Niall Carew’s resignation as manager until they have a chance to meet with the Kildare native and board officials.

Kieran McGeeney is expected to be announced as Armagh manager after Paul Grimley stepped aside following Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Donegal.

WATERFORD’S hurlers will travel to Reading Football Club next month for a three-day training camp.