Four in a Row for Waterford.

Waterford Intermediate Ladies Football team have won the Munster Intermediate championship for the fourth year in a row after they overcame the challenge of a strong Tipperary side at Pairc Uí Rinn in Cork.

From the off the Premier Ladies took the game to Waterford. They were first to score through Gillian O’Brien and when they added a second point soon afterwards again from Gillian O’Brien, it looked good for the challengers. In fact by this stage they could have been even further in front as they squandered a good chance to plant the ball in the Déise net. Waterford by this stage had hit just one point, player of the match Elaine Power finding the target.

It was from here however that Waterford took over control of the game.

Michelle Ryan levelled matters on seven minutes and when Elaine Power added her second of the game on ten minutes, Waterford were in front for the first time in the game. Waterford soon extended their lead to two when Michelle Ryan put over a free.

Tipperary’s Edel Hanley pulled a point back for Waterford eleven minutes from the break, but Waterford wasted little time in putting some day light between the sides as just three minutes later Róisín Tobin hit the only goal of the game.

Waterford continued to dominate the games happenings and a brace of scores from Shone Curran helped Waterford to a 1-7 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Waterford could have been even further in front at this stage, but some fine goalkeeping by Helen Kennedy in the Tipperary goal kept The Premier Ladies in contention with thirty minutes to play.

Waterford continued to dominate much of the second half. A Michelle Ryan free four minutes into the half extended the Déise Ladies lead and when Elaine Power added her third score of the game, the signs were looking good from a Waterford perspective.

Tipperary however refused to throw in the towel too early and without a fight. Three points from Gillian O’Brien brought them back into contention.

Waterford however held out strong and ran out deserved winners on a 1-12 to 0-9 scoreline.

After the game after been presented with the winners trophy from the president of the Munster Ladies Football association team captain Michelle McGrath in a nice touch paid a moving tribute to Mary Enright who was heavily involved in Ladies Football within the county for many years and who died tragically earlier this year and dedicated the win to Mary’s memory.

WATERFORD: A Jordan; A Landers; G Enright; N Dunphy; R Tobin; G Kenneally; K McGrath; M McGrath; E Power; M Wall; M Ryan; E Fennell; A Wall; S Curran, H Landers. Subs: T Fitzgerald for H Landers, M Revins for Curran.

Scorers: M Ryan 0-5 (3f), E Power 0-3, R Tobin 1-0, S Curran 0-2, M Wall and E Fennell 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: H Kennedy; C Walsh; C Carroll; S Delahunty; T McGrath; S Carew; B Ryan; J Grant; A Ryan; B Ryan; G O’Brien; S Ryan; E Carroll; S Lambert; E Hanley. Subs: B Feeney for A Ryan, A Staunton for B Ryan, C Bowles for Hanley, K Lyne for Delahunty, G O’Gorman for G O’Brien.

Scorers: G O’Brien 0-4, E Carroll 0-2 (2f), S Lambert and S Ryan 0-1 each, E Hanley 0-1 (1f).
 
Referee: M O’Keeffe (Cork).