Déise juniors ready for another Semple raid

SEMPLE STADIUM has been a happy hunting ground for the Waterford hurlers in recent months. Now the county footballers are hoping to write another chapter of summer success in Thurles.

Tomorrow, the Déise contest the All-Ireland JFC Final against Leitrim with Waterford bidding for their second title in five years.

Their last crown, the county’s first All-Ireland football title, was won in 1999 when John Kiely’s side defeated Meath by a point at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Notably, Kiely is again at the helm of the side which boasts four survivors from the 1999 side, including goalkeeper Alfie Kirwan and wing-back David Ryan who scored the match winning point five years ago.

Waterford easily defeated a fancied Limerick in the first round of the Munster champions before pipping Cork in the provincial decider.

Lancashire provided little more than token opposition in the All-Ireland semi-final, a victory that was gained without defender Niall Barry and wing-forward Kieran Whelan, both of whom are recalled for the final.

Leitrim enjoyed an impressive campaign in Connacht followed by a convincing semi-final victory over a highly rated Kildare.

“Any team that could beat the Leinster champions as convincingly as Leitrim did must be a good outfit, and we will have it all to do to repeat our win of five years ago,” Kiely said.

“However, we are going to Thurles in a very determined frame of mind, and if we can play as well as we did against Cork then we must have a big shout’’.

The throw-in is at 2.30pm