Waterford SHC: Maurice Shanahan hits 2-17 as Lismore open campaign with win

It was the Maurice Shanahan show in Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon as the 2015 All Star shot 2-17 (14 frees, 1-3 from play and a penalty) to steer Lismore to the first win in the Waterford SHC.

A 59th minute penalty followed by a 63rd minute strike sealed a 2-22 to 0-20 victory over Fourmilewater. Big brother Dan came off the bench, at the age of 43, to line out in his 28th club campaign.

His best game in club colours? “It’s up there but it’s not about me,” said the hero of the hour.

“I couldn’t care less if I didn’t score and Lismore won, I’d be a happy man going home tonight. I have the easy job to put them over the bar.

“Today was a knockout game for Lismore. Now, next week is a knockout game. Dungarvan will die in their boots next weekend because if they don’t win, they’re out and if they beat us by enough, we could be out. 

"We knew we had to be at a 100% today. In the first ten minutes, we were ring rusty but we grew into it, we grew into it big time. We worked like dogs and that was drilled into us.

“We played two challenge games and they didn’t go our way; we were beaten badly in both of them. Championship is what matters.”

Shanahan took up cycling during the Covid-19 lockdown to keep himself in shape. “You had to keep ticking over. If you didn’t, today would have been harder again. Thankfully, our lads kept us doing exercises and giving us runs to do. I did a bit of cycling myself but I won’t be going to the Tour De France or anything like that! It kept me fit. If you’re out doing stuff, the head is good and the body feels better.”

Twelve Maurice Shanahan points left the winners 0-15 to 0-7 in front at the break. Lismore extended that lead to 17-7 two minutes into the second period as they struck ten unanswered points (nine from Shanahan and one from centre back Iarlaith Daly). Goalkeeper Seanie Barry pulled off two big saves in the first quarter from Diarmuid Murphy and Tom Barron.

Fourmile fought back as points from Tholom Guiry, Aaron Ryan, Conor Gleeson, Diarmuid Murphy, Shane Ryan and Jamie Barron left them only three down entering the last seven minutes.

Big Dan made his presence felt as Maurice won a late penalty that he dispatched to the top corner of Stephen Ryan’s net. Aaron Ryan responded with two placed balls to bring his total to nine. Maurice then plucked a high ball three minutes into injury time and buried it to the net.

Passage, Ballygunner, Roanmore, Mount Sion, Abbeyside and De La Salle are all through to the quarter finals.

Passage prevailed 1-18 to 0-17 against Tallow at Fraher Field last night. 2019 Déise minor Mikey Cummins delivered nine points (four from play) on his senior debut. Liam Flynn goaled after just 14 seconds as Michael Walsh’s men raced five points up inside two minutes. The full forward finished with 1-2. Ian Beecher (0-4) and Thomas Ryan (0-3) shone brightest for Tallow but Ryan came off injured with three minutes left.

Thirteen man Roanmore had 13 points to spare against Clonea at a sun splashed Walsh Park on Sunday (4-16 to 2-9).

County goalkeeper Billy Nolan scored 1-7 from centre forward while Eoin Madigan, Emmet O’Toole and Shane Nolan also hit the net for Peter Queally’s charges. Their afternoon was spoiled by second half dismissals for Eoin Madigan (straight red) and Brian Nolan (two yellows). Sean Clancy and Stephen Curry goaled for Clonea.

Abbeyside enjoyed a facile 2-23 to 1-6 win against Ballysaggart on Saturday night. Michael Kiely was top scorer for the Villagers with 1-9 (1-2 from play), Mark Ferncombe fired 1-2 and Waterford senior Neil Montgomery got four points. Ken Cashell netted a first half goal for Ballysaggart while Stephen Bennett, who carried a knee injury throughout, struck five points. The blue and navy bow out of the championship, along with Clonea and Tallow, but all three will be back in the senior ranks for 2021.

- Updated on Sunday, August 2, at 9.05pm.

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