Another big weekend ahead for Camogie in Waterford.

What a weekend last weekend was for Camogie in Waterford. It started on somewhat of a disappointing note with Presentation Convent Waterford loosing out to Mercy Convent Roscommon in the Junior ‘D’ All-Ireland College’s Final at Nenagh.

While the players would naturally feel disappointed with the loss (5-9 to 1-5) each and every one of them should note that in both participating and reaching such a stage in the competition, each and every one of them is a winner.

Sometimes the difference on the scoreboard at the end of the game does not tell a lie, but in this case, it does as in truth the Waterford City side were much closer to the Roscommon side than the score line would suggest.

The Roscommon side built their victory on a flying start to this game, hitting 1-1 inside three minutes of the game starting.

Beth Carton who excelled last year for Waterford at under 16 level struck a point to leave three between the sides with seven minutes on the clock, but the westerners hit back with 2-1 and by the break these scores proved to be the difference between the sides as the Roscommon side won 3-4 to 1-4, the Waterford sides goal coming just before the break off the bos of Beth Carton.

Presentation Convent Waterford began the second half strong but were unable to break down a strong Mercy Convent side who added a brace of goals at the end of the third quarter to effectively seal the win.

Credit the Presentation girls however, they kept fighting in this game and no doubt we will hear much more about the likes of Beth Carton, Courtney Healy, Brianna O’Regan etc. a lot more not just for the remainder of this year but going into the future.

Twenty four hours later, Waterford’s minor team travelled to Dublin to play in the championship. Having got a walk over from Westmeath in round one, a 2-11to 2-6 win at Clonsaugh means that Waterford are into this year’s All-Ireland semi final ahead of the last round of games this weekend.

At Walsh Park an understrength Waterford side took on Meath in the league. 12 months ago, an understrength Waterford side travelled to the Royal County for their opening round of games in the league and suffered a defeat and the result was the same this time about.

Meath started well here with an early point, but Waterford playing for the first time in a competitive game under new manager Niall O’Donnell hit back with points from Trish Jackman, Jennie Simpson, Karen Kelly, Sinead Cummins and Zoe O’Donoghue and went to the dressing rooms leading 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Waterford continued to play well in the second half with Karen Kelly and Zoe O’Donoghue landing further points, but Meath finished strong hitting the next seven scores amounting to 3-4.

Credit Waterford however they hit the last three scores of the game all coming from the hurley of the impressive Karen Kelly.

The main action last weekend however was in Clonmel where Lismore and Ballyhale Shamrocks replayed their All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club final.

When the sides clashed two weeks earlier, Lismore despite a strong start and a strong finish were somewhat fortunate to come out of Croke Park still in the competition, but this time there was no disputing the outcome.

Lismore in this game were always the better of the sides, despite trailing for much of the first half thanks to the sharp shooting of Kelly-Anne Cottrell from placed balls.

But what the Ballyhale Shamrocks player was showing what she could do, Aoife Hannon was doing at the other end, and as a result the Kilkenny outfit who were playing with the wind were unable to put day light between the sides.

They say goals win games and in this game they proved crucial.

Catriona McGlone hit three for Lismore in this game, the first coming just before the break and it gave Lismore the lead for the first time in the game.

Aoife Hannon and Shona Curran hit early second half scores for Lismore before Catriona McGlone hit her second goal of the game mid way through the third quarter and when she hit her third goal minutes from the end of the game, there was no disputing that the Agnes O’Farrelly Cup was heading to Lismore for the first time.

This weekend, there is again plenty of Camogie action.

The minors once more are in action and play Derry at Dunganny in Meath on Saturday at 2pm. As already pointed out, regardless of the outcome of the game, Waterford are in the All-Ireland semi final where they will be joined Derry or Dublin. On the opposite side of the draw Limerick are also through to the semi finals and will be joined by Cork or Dublin.

The Waterford Intermediate’s are also in action this Sunday and will play Kildare who beat Waterford in last year’s league semi final at Johnstownbridge. Last weekend because of the Minor game in Dublin and Lismore’s game in Clonmel, the side was very understrength but should be much stronger this weekend.

A win for Waterford is a must this weekend for Waterford if the side are to advance to the semi finals as just one more game is to be played, that against Cork after Tipperary who were to be Waterford’s opponents this weekend withdrew from the competition. Kildare were to have a bye this weekend, but will play Waterford now in a game that was to have taken place on March 9.