Great days beckon for Camogie in Waterford if 2013 is anything to go by

At different times in 2013, there may be some that play camogie at various levels within the county that took some time to sit down and reflect on the playing year. There may be some of those that did so who may have secretly shed a tear, thinking to themselves that they might have achieved more over the 12 months.

To shed a tear or two, especially after the last game in a championship for a side and more over if the game did not go the way you would have wanted it to go, then it is only a natural thing to do. To shed a tear or two shows that you were committed to the cause, and if a tear was not shed, it could be argued that a person was not fully committed to the cause.

However, any tears that were shed should not be done so in disappointment, but in delight, because 2013 was another great year for Camogie in Waterford where some terrific progress was made.

I read recently on the twitter page of someone that I fellow, “Pain is only temporary, memories last forever”. This to me was a remarkable saying. Over the past few years, it could be said by some that member of the counties intermediate panel experienced pain when the sides interest in the championship ended at the semi final stages of the competition, but I would say that before Waterford won the Junior All-Ireland in 2011 the side were beaten in the final for two years running before this. The Memories of the two defeats in previous years were forgotten and the memory of winning will long remain.

Maybe 2014 could see history repeat itself. After loosing two semi finals in a row, it could be third time lucky for Waterford on the penultimate round of fixtures and if it was to happen, once at Croke Park in September, anything is possible.

I for one firmly believe that while Waterford may be beaten two years running at the semi final stages of the championship, there is better days around the corner, days that will be remembered for a long time to come, long after the days of loosing semi finals are long gone.

The current Waterford Intermediate panel is a talented one. But they cannot rest on their laurels, as coming behind them is an equally talented group of players, that in the past year have formed part of excellent underage panels, and many of these players from 2014 onwards will be challenging for a place in the intermediate set up under the guidance of new manager Niall O’Donnell.

The Ballygunner man has taken over from Mark Cooney as manager for 2014 and will have Shay Fitzpatrick working alongside him.

The De La Salle man had a very successful stint in charge of Waterford helping them to win an All-Ireland Junior Final, a Munster Intermediate Final and to two Intermediate All-Irelands as well as introducing a host of new players to the inter county set up at this level.

2013 began disappointedly for Waterford. The long journey to Dunganny was made in the first round of the league to play Meath who had won the Junior Championship a few months earlier. The Royal County went into the game on a high as a result of that win, and won the league opener 0-8 to 0-5.

An interesting fact came to light during the league in 2013. By the time that Waterford returned home from the last game, as a team they would have clocked up over 1700 kilometres just attending games, and looking at the fixtures it was easy to see why.

Game two in the league saw Waterford take to the road for another long journey, this time to Ballinasloe to take on Galway. Waterford in this game made up for the disappointment of loosing the first game by beating what was a strong second string Galway selection on a 1-8 to 1-6 score line.

Waterford’s only home game in the league was against another second string selection – Wexford.

The game was played at Fraher Field and Waterford were missing some of their more experienced players, but this allowed Mark Cooney to give game time players that some might consider as fringe players and they took the chance well, winning the game on a 0-13 to 1-6 score line.

It was back on the roads for the fourth game, this time to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick to play Limerick.

The game was played before a home National League game for Limerick, which a number of teams allowed to happen this past year, and is something that should be happening more and more in the future.

There is no guarantee that if a Camogie game was played before a hurling game that the same attendance that would be in for the start of the hurling game, would be in for the start of the camogie game, but most would be in for the end of the Camogie game. If two games were allowed to be played at the same venue, it would be a great way of promoting camogie in that county. Many of those in early for the hurling game might find themselves some what impressed with the standards of the camogie players, and if even five or six new supports were to show up for subsequent camogie games that may not be part of hurling/camogie double header it would be worth it.

With Liberty Insurance now a sponsor of both the Hurling and Camogie Championships, it is something that they should be pushing hard for with the Camogie Association and with Croke Park Officials.

The game at the Gaelic Grounds was a low scoring one, played out in very wet conditions. Waterford won the game 0-5 to 0-4 which set them up nicely for their last game in the league against Antrim.

The Antrim game was to be a home game for Waterford, but wisely when there is long distances between sides when it comes to camogie, the two sides are brought together at what is seen to be a half way venue.

The game was played at Crumlin in Dublin and resulted in a 2-14 to 2-10 victory for Waterford, meaning that Waterford topped the group, and would play Kildare the second placed team in the opposite group in the semi finals.

The game was fixed for Mount Mellick in Laois, but only late in the week. There was suggestions that the game could be played somewhere in Wicklow in the days leading up to the game before the county Laois venue was confirmed.

Leaving sides unsure where they are playing games is very unfair. Most teams like to try and publish where they are playing and when to drum up support. Local radio stations to their credit are very good at giving arrangements for games.

However it is often very hard to give details of games to local papers, which are often on the newsstands on a Wednesday morning, meaning a Monday deadline is set for submission of fixtures, results etc.

It would be nice to see venue for games made known earlier in the week, even up to nine or ten days before a game, but this is not always possible as some clubs and boards have a habit of pulling the plug on games arranged and to leave other fixtures or events take place instead. It would be great to see venues set and stuck to for games for as long as possible but it is hard to see this happen.

Just as with the Limerick game, the game against Kildare was played in very testing conditions. Kildare had first use of the elements at their backs and built up a good 0-8 to 0-1 lead at the break.

Waterford in the second half with the elements now at their backs put in a very work man like second half, but in the end with conditions worsening, Waterford found it hard to overcome Kildare who won the game 0-12 to 0-8.

In the Munster Championship Waterford played Cork in the semi finals at Tallow. The rebels were expected to provide stiff opposition for Waterford, and they did, but they came up against a very strong Waterford side who won the game 4-14 to 1-11, Nicola Morrissey, Zoe O’Donoghue, Karen Kelly and Lorraine Bray hitting the Déise goals.

The Munster Final was played at Cahir against Tipperary who just like Cork were fielding a second string selection.

Waterford on the day, proved to be far too strong for the Premier County Girls winning the game rather easy on a 2-18 to 1-6 score line. Zoe O’Donoghue hit the Déise girls first goal of the game just before the break, while Karen Kelly struck Waterford’s second early in the second half, at a time when Waterford were mounting a lot of pressure on the Tipperary backs.  

While Waterford had a good league and an even better Munster Championship, just as in any sport it is the All-Ireland Championship that Waterford would have most wanted a good run in.

While it was to end at the semi final stages of the competition, it was still a very good competition for Waterford and the signs were there to be seen that 2014 could well be an even better year for Waterford.

The campaign got off to a good start with a 2-10 to 1-11 win over Cork at the Glen Rovers grounds on Lee-side.

Next up was a game against Kilkenny who were also fielding a second string side. The game was played at the Saint Molleran’s grounds in Carrickbeg and proved to be another tight battle which Waterford won 0-15 to 1-9, the highlight of the game proving to be a delightful side line cut from Trish Jackman which went over the cross bar which won her side a bonus point.

Waterford made the long journey to Kilkeedy for a game with Limerick. The journey by bus to West Limerick was made all the longer and more uncomfortable by the fact that it was surely the warmest day of 2013 and been inside glass for so long absorbed a lot of energy from the players.

The first half proved to be an even affair, the sides retiring level at 1-8 a piece, the Waterford goal coming from Zoe O’Donoghue, but in the second half, Limerick proved to be stronger than Waterford and ran out convincing winners on a 2-20 to 2-9 score line, Waterford’s second goal coming late in the game from Trish Jackman.

Waterford’s last game in the group section of the championship was just as was the case in the league against Antrim, and again the game was played in Dublin, this time at the Naomh Mear nÓg grounds.

Just as was the case when they clashed in the league, Waterford proved to be the better of the two sides and ran out winners with seven points to spare on a 1-14 to 1-7 score line, thanks to a very strong second half performance, the goal struck from Marie Russell proving to be a vital score for Waterford.

Waterford went into the semi finals as the second placed team from the group and were pitted against Galway for the second year running.

The game was played at The Ragg in Tipperary and saw Galway get off to a flying start, but Waterford fought back and at the break just a point separated the sides, Orlaith McGrath’s early goal proving crucial as Galway turned around 1-6 to 0-6 in front.

In the second half however, Galway who were beaten in the final twelve months previously against Derry after a replay, proved to be the stronger of the two sides, running out victors on a 1-15 to 1-7 score line, Karen Kelly striking the Waterford goal midway through the half direct from a ‘45.

At Minor level, Waterford were somewhat unlucky. They lost 1-7 to 1-5 in the first round of the championship which was played in a round robin basis and then lost out to a strong Offaly side in their next game on a 2-15 to 0-9 score line. Waterford played Down in the plate All-Ireland Final but the Northern side again proved the stronger of the sides winning  3-7 to 0-3.  

In the Munster Championship Waterford were due to play Kerry in the final at Cahir, but the game never took place.

At Under 16 level, Waterford had a good year. The side coached by former Waterford hurler Shane ‘Shiner’ Ahearne beat Cork 3-10 to 0-4 in the Munster Final at the Gold Coast grounds.

In the All-Ireland Championship Waterford began with a home game against Westmeath at Bushy Park.

Waterford throughout proved to be the dominant side hitting seven goals in the first half and adding three more in the second period to record what was a very easy 10-11 to 0-3 win. De La Salle’s Beth Carton hit four of the Waterford goals, while Butlerstown’s Elizabeth McGrath hit a hat-trick. Cappoquin’s Aisling Power as well as De La Salle pair Ciara Twomey and Brianna O’Regan who stared in goal for Waterford also hit goals for Waterford in this game.

Game two was a much more even affair with both Waterford and Cork ending locked at 1-9 to 1-9 each, and after this Waterford recorded big wins over Armagh and Derry, both played in Dublin and which saw Waterford hit five goals in each game.

Both Waterford and Cork finished level on seven points and rather than the team with the better score advantage top the group, a play off was deemed necessary to see which would top the group, a rather pointless exercise with both teams automatically through to the semi finals regardless of the outcome of the game.

Played at Mahon in Cork, the home side came out on top winning 3-3 to 1-6.

In the semi finals, Waterford played Wexford at Fraher Field.

This proved to be a totally enjoyable game of Camogie. The visitors travelled to Dungarvan with the mantle of favourites around their necks, but they came up against a very good Waterford side on the day.

Waterford on the day played with the breeze in the first half. Both sides had early chances to take the lead but it was not till the 7^th minute that either side scored, Molly Curran doing do from a free.

Wexford responded with a brace of points but Waterford drew level thanks to an Elizabeth McGrath point.

A Beth Carton goal on twenty minutes gave Waterford a three point lead, a score that proved crucial as both sides in the time that remained in the first half proved to be evenly matched, with Waterford retiring at the break holding a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Wexford came out all guns blazing, hitting 1-2 in the opening half to take the lead.

However, Waterford refused to panic and a second Beth Carton goal gave the advantage back to Waterford.

The De La Salle sharp shooter would end the afternoon with a third goal which helped her side to a 3-7 to 1-9 victory and win a place in the All-Ireland Final against Cork.

The final however was to be a disappointing one for Waterford, as the Rebels again proved to be that little bit stronger at Mallow.

The game was one that could have gone either way. Cork just shaded the first half and led 2-3 to 1-5 at the break, the Déise goal coming from Beth Carton. A second half goal from Megan Dunford gave Waterford much hope but the home side finished the stronger of the two sides and ran out winners 4-8 to 2-10.

The under 14 County Development Squad was also a source of pride in Waterford this past year, taking part in a number of blitz and putting together some good performances.

In Clare, they beat Limerick Cork and Clare before beating Tipperary in the Munster ‘B’ Final but lost out to Offaly in the All-Ireland final.

At Mallow, Waterford beat Dublin and Cork before beating the Rebels again at the second time of asking to lift the title.

In Waterford, Waterford took part in two different competitions, beating Cork and Tipperary in one competition before loosing out to Tipperary in the final and in another competition, they beat Cork, Clare, Kilkenny and Wexford before beating Wexford for a second time in the final.

Waterford also took part in the All-Ireland Under 14 Blitz in Dublin and beat Down, Derry, Antrim and Offaly in the group stages. In the semi final they beat Dublin and then beat Derry in the final after extra time to take the title for the second year in a row.

On the local front, it was also a busy year.

In the County Leagues, Lismore retained the Senior League Title by beating Saint Anne’s for the second year running at Fraher Field in what was a very tight game while Butlerstown overcame the challenge of Brickeys 2-8 to 0-10 in the Intermediate final.

In the championship, Lismore completed a senior double by beating Saint Anne’s in a hugely entertaining county final at Lemybrien.

Butlerstown also completed a double adding the championship to the league by beating Cappoquin 3-9 to 2-7 at the Dungarvan Club Grounds and in the junior final Portlaw beat Tallow 3-8 to 1-7 at Bushy Park.

Lismore and Butlerstown went on to represent Waterford in the Munster Championship. Lismore competed in the Intermediate Championship and Butlerstown in the junior.

Butlerstown beat Limerick’s representatives Croagh Kilfinny in their opening game of the championship but lost out to a strong Ogonelloe/Scarriff side in the next round.

Lismore for their semi final had to travel to Carrigaline to play the host club, and in the Munster Final drew with Newmarket-on-Fergus after extra time, but in the replay with Aisling O’Brien in outstanding form between the posts Lismore ran out 0-8 to 0-5 winners.

Back to the club scene and in the underage competitions there was also plenty of Excitement.

St Anne’s won the ‘A’ Minor title beating Cappoquin in the final while the ‘B’ final was won by Ferrybank who overcame the challenge of De La Salle.

At under 16 level, the rolls were reversed in the ‘A’ Championship as Cappoquin beat De La Salle, while the ‘B’ Championship was won by Dungarvan who proved too strong for Butlerstown/Tramore.

There was four different under 14 Competitions. Galltir won the ‘A’ Final beating De La Salle in the final, Brickeys won the ‘B’ Final against Tallow and in the ‘C’ Final Saint Molleran’s proved too strong for Cappoquin. The Feile County Final was won this year by Galltir.

At Feile, Galltir achieved Waterford’s best ever finish to the competition.

Playing in division two, they began with a 8-8 to 0-2 win over Kilmallock on the Friday evening game.

On Saturday morning, they beat Bruff 11-4 to 0-0 and followed it up with a winner takes all 3-5 to 1-7 win over Ballycastle of Antrim which gave the Barony Girls a place in the semi finals later that same evening.

In the semi finals, Galltir again proved unstoppable, beating Offaly side Birr on a 3-6 to 1-3 victory.

The final against Portaferry was played on Sunday morning and was expected to be a very close battle, but Galltir were on a high.

First half goals from Aoife Fitzgerald and Emer Walsh who hit two gave the Barony Girls a 3-1 to 0-2 lead at the break.

In the second half, Galltir continued to be the dominant side as Ann Corcoran and Emer Edwards hit goals in a 5-5 to 0-3 victory.

Waterford Institute of Technology in 2013 won the Ashbourne Cup for the fifth year in a row, following a sensational win over University of Limerick on the Limerick colleges’ home soil.

Sometimes we refer to a game that had an exciting finish as ‘Roy of the Rovers stuff’. Sometimes this referring is over sensationalised but to refer to this final as ‘Roy of the Rovers stuff’ would be very fitting.

The sides finished the game at the end of normal time deadlocked at 2-9 a piece and even after two periods of ten minutes of extra time the sides could not be separated ending at 2-11 a piece.

With time almost up after another two five minute periods it looked as if it was the home side that were going to come through, but there was a sensational twist to the tail.

The Limerick College played the first half with a breeze at their backs and used it to their advantage racing into an early lead with scores from Julia Walsh, Cait Devane and Niamh O’Dea.

The Waterford girls however began to come more into the game as it went on with Sarah Anne Fitzgerald and Patricia Jackman beginning to dominate, while Emma Commerford hit some crucial scores to keep them in touch.

The home side retired at the break leading 1-5 to 0-5 Cait Devane’s goal proving the crucial score.

The Waterford side began the second half the better of the two sides as Shelly Farrell hit an early goal. Cait Devane hit back with scores for the Shannon-side students but a second goal for the eventual winners from Katrina Parrock gave them a three point lead and looking good to secure a fifth final in a row.

Cait Devane and Jean Brady traded scores for their respective side before Cait Devane hit a second goal for the Limerick College which gave them the lead and it was they that now were looking as if they were going to wrestle the trophy from the grasp of the Waterford Students.

However, experience in such competitions can never be underestimated and in the final moments of the game the holders drew on every ounce of experience amassed in recent years and they were rewarded for their efforts when Emma Commerford put over a free to send the game to extra time.

In the extra twenty minutes that were added, the two sides went at each other as much as they could as the players on both sides began to tire.

Katie Power for WIT as well as Marie McGrath and Julia Walsh for the Limerick College registered scores in extra time which looked good enough to win the game for the hosts, but again in the closing moments in the game, UL gave away a free which for the second time Emma Commerford put over the crossbar to send the game into another two periods of extra time.

At half time in the second period of extra time, not for the first time it looked as if the hosts college were going to be presented with the winners trophy as they held a two point lead and things got better for them in at the start of the second half when they went three points up.

However, a game is never over till the referee blows the last whistle of the game and the WIT students knew this.

They never gave up and were rewarded for their efforts.

With less than two minutes to play in the second half of the second period of extra time played Denise Gaule send an unstoppable shot to the Limerick Students net to draw the sides level and with just seconds left, Waterford won for themselves a free inside their own half of the field.

In such a situation, there is only one player you would want on your side.

Galltir and Waterford star Trish Jackman's ability to shoot from distance is well known and therefore there is only one player that you could call upon to stand over the ball.

Knowing that the strike that she was going to take was possibly the most crucial of her career, she made no mistake putting the ball over the crossbar and so securing a 3-13 to 2-15 victory for Waterford Institute of Technology.

And finally, no year would seem complete now when it comes to camogie without an All-Ireland coming to Waterford in August.

Galltir ace Trish Jackman won her fifth consecutive All Ireland Poc Fada title in Co Louth over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Trish reached the half way stage on 14 shots but had plenty of competition reaching down her neck. She managed to complete the second part of the course taking a shot less.  

Overall 2013 was another excellent year for Camogie in Waterford, and here’s hoping that 2014 will be even better with lots to celebrate at the end of the year.