Discipline is crucial, says Waterford manager

Waterford go into this Sunday’s All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final against Armagh as the underdogs, despite the fact that the Orchard County Girls in the National League played a division below what Waterford played in.

Playing in Division Three of the National League, Armagh reached the semi finals where they suffered a 5-6 to 1-7 defeat at the hands of Westmeath.

In the league section of the competition, they had six wins in their seven games, the only defeat coming in the game against Westmeath, this time on a 3-7 to 1-6 scoreline.

They carried their fine league form into the championship, recording a draw against Waterford and wins over Down and London, finishing on seven points from a possible nine, and overcame the challenge of Waterford in a midweek play off game to see which would advance straight to the semi finals and which would have to travel the scenic route of they were to reach the same stage of the competition.

Waterford manager Pat O’Brien who is in his first year as team manager having previously been involved with the team four years ago when Ballymacarbry’s Mike Guiry was team manager is expecting a tough battle with Armagh.

Speaking at the recent media night in Dungarvan, the Abbeyside Club Man said he expects both sides to play a physical game and says that discipline is going to be crucial on the day.

Last time out, Waterford lost full back Grainne Enright for ten minutes against Fermanagh after picking up a yellow card, but the effect was hardly felt on that occasion as within minutes of the Abbeyside player heading to the sideline she was followed to the line by Fermanagh’s Áine McBride.

In that game Fermanagh also had Tara Little sin binned before the break and it was while she was on the line that Waterford were able to inflict some considerable damage on the Northern County including kicking two points just before the break which proved the difference between the sides after sixty minutes.

Speaking at Fraher Field recently O’Brien said however that the sin binning of players that collect yellow cards could be a good thing. Players will have to be careful he said. They will know that any silly tattling and they will be sent to the sideline.

Waterford’s extra games in this year’s championship are something that could stand to the team according to Pat O’Brien.

We played a number of games in six weeks he says, but the girls have stood up to the challenge.

He has also spoken of the transformation in the team this year. This year changes had to be made to the team because players who were involved with the last few years decided to take some time away from the game.

The players that came in needed to gel, Pat O’Brien says. In their last ten games we have lost just once he adds.

Earlier in the year the team were a number of goals in each game, but now apart from the play off game with Armagh, the conceding of goals in each game has been kept to the minimum, and against Fermanagh last time out against what was reported to be a very dangerous full forward line, the Waterford defensive players were able to keep them from hitting the net.

Armagh goes into Sunday’s game as favourites and in the eyes of most will be deserved favourites. In thirteen league and championship games to date this year they have hit a massive thirty eight goals.

Waterford will know to contain them they will have their hands full.

However, Waterford in any sport often thrives on being the underdog. Speaking to various members of the panel, one thing is very clear. There is a great togetherness within the panel. The twenty six players in the panel come across as a family of twenty six very close sisters.

Hopefully, this will lead them up the steps of the Hogan Stand on Sunday afternoon next just after quarter past three. Even though they will be favourites, the possibility of winning is a realistic one, but if Waterford are to win, the game won’t be won easily.