Dramatic Goal Seals Last Eight Spot For Waterford Ladies

Last year Waterford in their first year back in the senior grade of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship after playing in the Intermediate ranks for a number of years reached the first round proper of the Championship where they lost out to Kerry, having beaten Armagh in the qualifiers.

This year with a years experience under their belts playing at this level, Pat Sullivan’s side have gone one step further and have qualified for the All-Ireland quarter finals against Dublin in less than two weeks time, which if they win will put them in an All-Ireland semi final against the winners of Armagh and Kerry, a game that Waterford will be confident of winning should they get over the challenge of Dublin first.

Last Saturday’s game in Clane was one that was like the tide, first it went one way, then another and it did this for much of the hour until deep in stoppage time when Aileen Wall, not for the first time in her illustrious career playing football made the headlines when she snatched a late goal to steal for Waterford the laurels.

Waterford had the first chance of this hugely exciting game when Emma Murray ran at the Cavan defence and was denied a goal by the Cavan goalkeeper Elaine Walsh.

When the first score of the game did arrive it fell to Cavan’s Sinead Greene and it was followed up with the waving of another white flag at the Waterford end with a score from Claragh O’Reilly.

But there was no waving of Waterford white flags on the Waterford sideline as Waterford attacked the Cavan goal and the efforts of the Déise players were rewarded with points from Eimear Fennell, Michelle Ryan and Maria Delahunty, giving Waterford the lead for the first time.

Those that have read reports on this blog with the past few years will know that when it comes to discipline I am a fan of the sin binning system in Ladies Football and would love to see it introduced into the men’s game as to me the Black Card system and the sending on of a replacement player at the next break of play is a joke and serves little or no purpose.

On nine minutes Waterford were dealt a blow in this game when Katie Hannon was forced to concede a penalty and was flashed a yellow card by the County Carlow referee. Pat Sullivan instantly made a huge call and removed Róisín Tobin from the field and sent on reserve goalkeeper Jessica Fitzgerald for the ten minutes that the Ballyduff Upper player was going to have to sit out and the first task the Clashmore player had was to take the ball from her own net after Aisling Doonan made no mistake in dispatching the one on one kick from twelve metres.

Sides that have players sin binned in Ladies football are supposed to be at a disadvantage for the ten minutes but this Waterford side didn’t and it could be argued that they were the better side over the next ten minutes.

Donna English extended the Cavan lead to three but Waterford hit back with points from Aoife Murray, Maria Delahunty and Eimear Fennell to level matters 1-3 to 0-6 with fifteen minutes of the first half played.

The second quarter of this game was again bossed by Waterford as they landed scores through Maria Delahunty, Katie Murray and her sister Emma with responses coming from Donna English and Aisling Sheridan which gave Waterford a 0-9 to 1-5 lead at the break.

The Ulster side as happened in the first were first to score after the restart through Neasa Byrd, but Waterford hit back with points from Maria Delahunty and the brilliant Michelle Ryan, one of a number of Waterford players who at this stage of the championship but be in serious contention for an All-Star award at the end of the year.

Points from Aisling Doonan and Caithriona Smith followed with had the sides level three quarters way through the game.

Points from Aoife Murray and Maria Delahunty had Waterford in front early in the final quarter which was followed with an exchange of scores by Aisling Doonan and Michelle Ryan.

With just over five minutes of normal time to play, the sides were locked together 1-12 to 0-15 and when Aisling Doonan put over another huge score for the Ulster side with time ticking down, the Waterford camp must have been asking themselves was their year about to come to an end.

The same player struck a free from 40 metres which appeared to be going between the Waterford uprights, but Caoimhe McGrath another Waterford player who is having an outstanding year in the white and blue of Waterford leapt like an eagle into the sky and pulled the ball down to safety and Waterford launched an attack at speed up field and when Lauren McGregor who was not long on the field laid the ball off to Aileen Wall there was only one thing on her mind as she finished past Elaine Walsh for a vital goal, one that secured a two point win for Waterford and a place in the last eight of this year’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Waterford: Katie Hannon; Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath, Kate McGrath; Dearbhaile  Ní hAodha,  Karen McGrath, Katie Murray; Mairead Wall, Emma Murray; Róisín Tobin, Grainne Kenneally, Aoife Murray; Eimear Fennell, Maria Delahunty, Michelle Ryan. Subs: Jessica Fitzgerald for Róisín Tobin (sin-bin – 10-20), Aileen Wall for Róisín Tobin (34), Rebecca Casey for Dearbhaile Ní hAodha (42), Lauren McGregor for Eimear Fennell (56).

Scorers: Maria Delahunty 0-5 (2f, 1 45), Michelle Ryan 0-4, Aileen Wall 1-0, Aoife Murray 0-3, Eimear Fennell 0-2, Katie Murray 0-1

Cavan: Elaine Walsh; Rachel Doonan, Ailish Cornyn, Andrea O’ Reilly; Sinead Greene, Laura Fitzpatrick, Shauna Lynch; Donna English, Sinead O’Sullivan; Mona Sheridan, Aisling Doonan, Caithriona Smith; Aisling Sheridan, Claragh O’Reilly, Neassa Byrd. Subs: Geraldine Smith for Andrea O’Reilly (42), Sinead McKenna for Neassa Byrd (58).

Scorers: Aisling Doonan 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), Donna English, Caithriona Smith 0-2 each, Sinead Greene, Claragh O’Reilly, Neassa Byrd 0-1 each.

Referee: Jason Murphy (Carlow).

Seventh All-Ireland Title For Waterford Under 16’s

Waterford are under 16 ‘B’ Ladies Football Champions for 2017 after they beat Kildare at Callan on Wednesday last.

At one point things were not looking good for Waterford as the Lilly White’s lead by five points, but as they did in their semi final win over Roscommon the Leinster Champions lost what appeared to be a good lead but this time did not regain it in the closing minutes.

This win is Waterford’s seventh title in total at a National Level, having won the ‘A’ title in the 1990’s and just under a decade ago they won the All-Ireland ‘B’ Shield and two years ago they won this very same title.

In the past after Waterford won the under 16 title a number of the players involved in the wins went on to win a place in the Waterford Senior team, or the Intermediate team as it was for a few years, and the expectations are that a number of players in this team will also go on and become part of the Waterford Senior set up in the coming years.

Kildare had first use of the stiff breeze at their backs and knew that going into the second half with a sizeable lead on the scoreboard and it looked as if this was going to happen with just three minutes of the first half remaining as they lead 0-6 to 0-1, but Waterford would finish very strong and went in at the break tailing by just one point thanks to scoring 1-2 in those closing minutes.

Kildare opened the scoring when the impressive Orlaith Sullivan put over a free and she had another white flag waved less than sixty seconds later. Hazel McLoughlin further stretched the Kildare lead on six minutes when she was picked out by Aoife Rattigan.

It was important that Waterford did not allow their opponents open up too much of a lead and the side wearing the Blue jerseys opened their account through the outstanding Aoife Fitzgerald who was picked out by the equally impressive Kelly Ann Hogan.

Kildare however were soon back on top once more and hit scores from the boots of Orlaith Sullivan and Hazel McLoughlin with the game nearing its break.

Waterford piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the half and they were duly rewarded.

Aoife Fitzgerald kicked Waterford’s second score of the game which was followed with the most crucial score of the game.

Aoife Brazil attempted to raise the first green flag of the game but her shot was blocked by Ciara Farrell in the Kildare goal but she could not get a hold of the ball and when it fell to Sheena McGuckian she made no mistake in shaking the Kildare net.

Kelly Ann Hogan kicked the nest point for Waterford to level matters 0-6 to 1-3, but Kildare would kick the last score of the game through their most impressive player on the evening Orlaith Sullivan which was good enough to send her side in leading by the minimum at the break.

Waterford came out for the second half with the wind now at their backs and they made full use of it early on as Kelly Ann Hogan levelled matters which was followed with a brace of scores by Aoife Fitzgerald.

Waterford were now in front for the first time and we would see if Kildare like they did against Roscommon two weeks earlier after losing the lead, we waited to see if they could once more fight back.

Kildare did level matters with points from Sally Murphy and Aoife Rattigan but that was as close as they got to Waterford.

When it comes to winning big games its often the forwards that get all the praise and those that play in their own half of the field often get over looked for their contribution.

Waterford goalkeeper Rosie Landers showed why a good goalkeeper and defence is as important as a good attack when she made a brilliant save to keep out an effort from Ruth Birchall after which Aoife Fitzgerald with a brace of scores and one from Sarah Lacey followed thing were looking very good for the Déise County.

Could Kildare and in particular Orlaith Sullivan come back as they did against Roscommon and ruin the night for Waterford.

The Lilly White’s did attack the Waterford goal late on and while Orlaith Sullivan did register the last score of the game, it was but a mere consolation score as Waterford held on for what was a fully deserved victory.

Waterford: Rosie Landers; Cora Murray, Róisín Dunphy, Leah Sheridan; Tao Behan, Mary Kate Curran, Clodagh Carroll; Kelly Ann Hogan, Keely Corbett-Barry; Annie Fitzgerald, Briannagh Nic Craith, Aoife Brazil; Sheena McGuckian, Aoife Fitzgerald, Sarah Lacey. Sub: Claragh McCann for Briannagh Nic Craith (52). 

Scorers: Aoife Fitzgerald 0-6 (3f), Sheena McGuckian 1-0, Kelly Ann Hogan 0-2, Sarah Lacey 0-1.

Kildare: Ciara Farrell; Ciara Downey, Claire Nugent, Eve Kehoe; Mia Doherty, Laoise Lenehan, Ruth Millett; Hazel McLoughlin, Katie O’Loughlin; Ciara Price, Aoife Rattigan, Ruth Birchall; Sally Murphy, Orlaith Sullivan, Haley McCormack. Subs: Ali Cullen for Katie O’Loughlin (28), Deirdre Doyle for Ruth Millett (49), Aislinn Dooley for Ciara Price (56), Gillian Wheeler for Ali Cullen (60)

Scorers: Orlaith Sullivan 0-6 (3f), Hazel McLoughlin 0-2, Aoife Rattigan (f), Sally Murphy 0-1 each.

Referee: Eamon Moran (Kerry)

Long Senior Football Club Championship Lay Off To Come To An End

With so much hurling played in the last few weeks and months, one could be forgiven for forgetting that football is also played in Waterford, and this weekend four of the six games in round two of this year’s Senior Football Championship are down for decision in both the winners and losers sections following the first round of games played all of 12 weeks ago now.

Two games have gone by the wayside, that of The Nire and Stradbally in the winners section following the first round of games and Clashmore and Rathgormack in the losers section have also fallen by the wayside because of players involved with the Waterford team in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi final in two weeks time.

The first game of the weekend sees Ardmore take on Portlaw in Lemybrien on Thursday evening.

In their respective first round games Ardmore lost 1-19 to 1-9 against a strong Stradbally side at the same venue as this game is played, while Portlaw fared somewhat better, even if they too lost, when they were beaten 2-6 to 0-7 again at the Lemybrien venue back in the first weekend of May.

The two sides have already met this year in the County Senior Football league where Portlaw had a 1-11 to 1-10 win at the Ardmore venue back in the middle of June.

The two sides go into this game on the back of wins in their most recent County Senior Football League games, when Portlaw beat An Rinn 4-8 to 1-9 at Portlaw back on the 9^th of July while five days later Ardmore pulled off their only competitive win in the league when they beat Stradbally in Stradbally on a 1-16 to 0-17 score line.

While many might well argue that this could well be a drab game, the opposite could well prove to be the case, as both recently reached the semi finals of the Phelan Cup, where Portlaw lost out to Stradbally 1-11 to 2-5 and Ardmore lost out to Kilrossanty on a 2-11 to 0-13 score line.

Ardmore’s greater experience should see them through to the next phase of the competition, leaving Portlaw to battle against relegation, but you right off Portlaw at your pearl.

Brickey’s and Gaultier meet at the same venue on Saturday evening again in the losers section.

In their respective first round game Gaultier lost out 3-8 to 1-11 against a Kilrossanty side than many are fancying their chances to make inroads this year, while Brickey’s lost out to neighbours An Rinn 1-13 to 0-10.

Both sides had contrasting form in the County Leagues with Brickey’s finishing second from bottom in their group while Gaultier in the opposite group lost out on a place in the semi finals finishing level on points with The Nire who had a better score difference and won the head to head between the two.

Gaultier get the nod to advance in this game, but expect it to be a close fought battle.

There is two games down for decision at Fraher Field on Sunday evening, both in the winners section of the competition, with the winners advancing to the semi finals of the competition.

Ballinameela and Kilrossanty do battle at 6-30 which is followed ninety minutes later with the clash between Ballinacourty and An Rinn which has to be the tie of the weekend.

Kilrossanty are going great guns this year, reaching the final of the Phelan Cup and are in the last four of the County Senior Football League.

They have had just one competitive loss all year that being a 1-12 to 0-11 defeat to great rivals Stradbally in the League. There can be no questioning of their ability and on any given day can more than be a match to any side, including the Big Three within the county over the past decade and a half.

Ballinameela had a win over Portlaw in the first round of the championship and finished in a mid table position in the league, while they lost out to Ardmore in the quarter final stages of the league.

You would expect Kilrossanty to have too much for Ballinameela in this game, but as we have seen in recent years, Ballinameela on their day can be a match for most sides.

An Rinn are an improving team in recent year and this year seems to be no different as they had a good Comortus Peil competition this year once more, a competition played between the clubs in the Gaeltacht areas around Ireland, some of which have very strong football clubs.

Ballinacourty are a side that are there or there about in recent years and when they have won the Conway Cup they have represented the county with great pride. They along with the likes of Stradbally and The Nire will be the sides most fancied to win this year’s title.

But when it comes to this game, in recent years because in part to the lack of championship games in the county both sides have lost players for the summer as they go to America to work and to play. It appears that players have made the journey across the ocean again this year and it remains to be seen how depleted sides will be. From listening to commentaries of Waterford games in the last few weeks on WLR, from what Kieran O’Connor has to say Ballinacourty will be short players for this game.

This is a game that we can expect to go to the wire, and maybe extra time should not be ruled out when these two play. With full strength sides, you would be expecting Ballinacourty to win, but if An Rinn this weekend can put out a full strength team or a near full strength side, then it would be no surprise to see then advance to the semi finals, and if this happens it will mean one thing, that at least one of the big three will not reach the semi finals of this year’s championship.

Waterford and Kildare Do Battle For All-Ireland Crown

This Wednesday evening is a big one for the Waterford Ladies Football County Board as its under 16 team will take on Kildare in the All-Ireland ‘B’ Final at the Callan CBS Grounds in County Kilkenny.

Both counties have qualified for this week’s final on the back of good wins in the semi finals where Waterford got the upper hand of Ulster Champions Monaghan while Kildare beat Roscommon on the same night in their semi final.

Kildare in their semi final produced a stunning comeback to overturn a five point deficit with less than as many minutes to go in normal time o the game to beat Roscommon 3-8 to 1-12.

On the night Kildare had Orlaith Sullivan in fine form as she netted all three of her side’s goals, including two in the closing minutes of the game in which time the Carbury player netted 2-2 of the 3-4 which she scored on the night.

          While Kildare came from five points down with only minutes of the game to play, its worth noting that they had a fantastic start to the game outscoring the Connacht Champions 1-6 to 0-4 in the opening half of the game.

Ciara Price opened the scoring for Kildare early in the game and quickly followed up with Orlaith Sullivan’s first goal of the game. And while Roscommon hit back with a brace of points, Kildare however knocked over the next five points in a row through Orlaith Sullivan and Aoife Rattigan which helped them their side to a five point lead at the break.

But Roscommon upped their game considerably in the second half and they rattled up 1-7 without response to go 1-11 to 1-6 in front with three minutes left on the clocks of those watching on.

But it’s what the referees watch is what matters and if the Connacht time took their foot off the pedal in the time that remained, they were made pay for doing so.

Orlaith Sullivan hit her second goal of the game on fifty eight minutes to move within two of Roscommon. And while the Connacht champions extended their advantage to three moments later, there was still time to be played.

Kildare through Orlaith Sullivan went up field and put over a free to go within two of Roscommon once more and with momentum on their side, the Lilly Whites attacked the Rossies goal once more and won a penalty which Orlaith Sullivan took and missed but from the rebound she made no mistake in completing her hat-trick. And it was the same player that brought the scoring to a close right at the end when she drove over a free to give her side a 3-8 to 1-12 victory.

Going on the semi final win Waterford in addition to Orlaith Sullivan will have to keep a close eye on the likes of Sally Murphy, Katie O’Loughlin and Mia Doherty in this game.

Waterford were equally as impressive in their semi final win over Monaghan two weeks ago.

Monaghan on the night controlled the game early in the game. Playing with the breeze at their backs, the Ulster side rocked Waterford with a brace of Hannah Sherlock goals to help them into an eight point lead with just ten minutes played.

Waterford hit their first score on twelve minutes through Aoife Fitzgerald and followed up with Sheena McGuckian and Kelly Ann Hogan which eased the side into the game and despite the unwanted start, Waterford found themselves just three points (2-3 to 0-6) at the break.

Monaghan through Gráinne Tibby hit a third goal early in the second half, but Waterford refused to panic.

Waterford through Aoife Brazil hit a goal seven minutes from time to leave them trailing 3-8 to 1-11. The goal spurred Waterford on and in the time that remained plus the added time for stoppages, Waterford knocked over four unanswered point to run out 1-15 to 3-8 winners.

Just as Kildare had their heroines and players for Waterford to look out for in this game, so too had Waterford.

Rosie Landers was very good in goal. In defence Tao Behan and Mary Kate Curran were strong throughout, while in the middle of the field the contribution of Kelly Ann Hogan and Keely Corbett Barry cannot be undermined, while in attack Waterford had very solid performances from Aoife Brazil, Aoife and Annie Fitzgerald, Sarah Lacey and Sheenagh McGuckian.

Waterford will travel to the County Kilkenny venue hoping to win a second title in three years at this age level.

A win for Waterford would be the seventh All-Ireland title that would be recorded at this age level, as in the past the County have won four ‘A’ titles in the 90s and in 2009 the All-Ireland Shield was won, a competition which is no longer played for.

Kildare are appearing in only their second final at this age level, their previous coming six years ago when they won the ‘B’ Shield Final.

The Waterford management team headed up by Johnny Troy and which includes Kevin Barry, Fionnuala Flynn and Grainne Costello will be drumming it into their side that they cannot afford to give Kildare the lead which they gave to Monaghan and which Kildare had against Roscommon, as it could mean the winning and losing of the game.

Waterford will be able to include players that helped win the under 16 final two years ago, and you can’t but think that their experience will stand to Waterford in this game.

Waterford Panel

Annie Fitzgerald

Aoife Brazil

Aoife Fitzgerald

Aoife Kennedy

Briannagh Nic Craith

Caoimhe Ahearn

Caoimhe Hassett

Carly Dunford

Claragh McCann

Clodagh Carroll

Cora Murray

Ellen Kirwan

Emma Flynn

Emma Power

Emma Stubbs

Hannah Flynn

Jodie Tuohy

Keeley Corbett Barry

Kelly Ann Hogan

Kirsty Green

Leah Sheridan

Mary Kate Curran

Meadhbh Kiernan

Megan Foran

Róisín Dunphy

Rosie Landers

Saoirse Hennebry

Sarah Lacey

Sheenagh McGuckian

Shiona Dunphy

Tao Behan

Waterford Prove Too Strong For Wexford At The Pairc

It’s not a game that will be remembered in years to come, but Waterford are back in Croke Park this August for a third successive All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi Final after they beat South East Rival’s Wexford in the second big game to be played at the new Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Waterford lead from start to finish in this game and that is something that will please team manager Derek McGrath and his selectors heading into next month’s big game at G.A.A. head quarters.

However if there is a downfall from the win it is that the Waterford management team it is that they will almost certainly have to plan for the game with Galway or Cork without the services of Tadhg De Búrca who was sent off on a straight red card with four minutes to play for what looked like a pull on the helmet of Harry Kehoe, something that G.A.A. Officials have come down big on in recent years, with few if any appeals made against sending offs for the foul winning.

Over the course of the seventy minutes Waterford proved to be the dominant side in almost every sector of the field with Michael Walsh, Darragh Fives and Kevin Moran particularly impressive for the winners. Wexford supporters will be asking however why Jack O’Connor did not start as he scored 1-2 after coming on six minutes into the second half of this game particularly as they relied upon Jack Guiney and Lee Chin for the majority of their scores, the pair hitting 0-9 between them all but one of which came from placed balls.

Waterford lead 1-12 to 0-10 at the break, the all important goal coming two minutes into added time when Eoin Moore’s attempted clearance was intercepted by Shane Bennett who played in Kevin Moran inside the last line of the Wexford defence and the De La Salle man who will be hoping to become only the third man to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup kept his cool and directed a ground stoke past the advancing Mark Fanning.

Pauric Mahony who finished this game as top scorer with nine points, all from placed balls knocked over the first score of the game in the first minute which was followed with a similar score from Lee Chin two minutes later.

Kevin Moran and Eoin Moore one of four changes to the Wexford team published in the programme swapped scores before Kevin Moran and Michael Walsh gave Waterford a 0-4 to 0-2 lead with six minutes played.

Pauric Mahony and Conor McDonald swapped scores which was followed with scores by Jack Guiney and Jake Dillon, which kept Waterford two in front with thirteen minutes played.

A brace of Pauric Mahony frees had Waterford four up at the end of the first quarter of this game. Jack Guiney and Darragh Fives swapped scores in the twentieth minute before Wexford enjoyed a mini purple patch as Lee Chin, Paul Morris and Diarmuid O’Keeffe in a four minute spell landed scores which cut Waterford’s lead to just one.

But Waterford hit back with scores from Pauric Mahony and then Conor and Austin Gleeson to put daylight between the sides once more with three minutes of the first half remaining.

Points from Aidan Nolan and Jack Guiney made it a two point game once more, but Waterford would head into the dressing rooms with a five point advantage, thanks to Kevin Moran’s late first half goal.

Former Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald kept Waterford waiting on the field before the second half began as he took every possible second to talk to his charges and it looked early on as if it might work as the Yellow Bellies hit the first three scores of the second half through Liam Ryan, Rory O’Connor and Lee Chin which at Waterford leading 1-12 to 0-13 after forty three minutes.

It was important that Waterford scored next and this is what they did with a brace of Pauric Mahony free’s and a monster effort from Austin Gleeson in striking a free from inside his own half of the field.

Jack O’Connor and Austin Gleeson swapped scores which kept Waterford five in front, after which Jack Guiney and Kevin Moran did which gave Waterford a 1-17 to 0-15 lead heading into the final quarter of the game.

Maurice Shanahan and Jack Guiney were next to swap scores before Diarmuid O’Keeffe and Pauric Mahony repeated the act.

Another Maurice Shanahan point was followed with one from Jack O’Connor with four minutes of the game remaining.

Fourteen man Waterford went 1-22 to 0-18 in front after Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Halloran put over points with the game in stoppage time and the latter got his second of the game two minutes into the four added minutes of stoppage time.

Jack Guiney saw a late free go over the cross bar when a goal was needed on seventy three minutes and when the same player was presented with another chance from a free seconds later, this time his effort was blocked by the Waterford wall guarding Stephen O’Keeffe’s goalmouth but they were powerless in keeping Jack O’Connor’s late consolation goal from the rebound from entering the net.

Waterford late on in the game emptied the bench and those that got match time (Thomas Ryan got just three minutes) and those that came on played a part in the win.

Wexford used four subs but they never looked like if they were going to win this game, even if they got to within one of Waterford on two occasions and were level on two other occasions, but for now they will see getting out of Division 1B of the National League this year as progress since they appointed former Clare and Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald to the top position in the model county.

WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Tadhg de Búrca; Darragh Fives, Shane Fives, Conor Gleeson; Philip Mahony, Jamie Barron; Kevin Moran, Michael Walsh, Austin Gleeson; Pauric Mahony, Jake Dillon, Shane Bennett. Subs: Maurice Shanahan for Jake Dillon (45); Brian O’Halloran for Shane Bennett (46); Stephen Bennett for Michael Walsh (54); Colin Dunford for Jamie Barron (62); Thomas Ryan for Pauric Mahony (70+1).

Scorers: Pauric Mahony 0-9 (0-9f), Kevin Moran 1-3, Austin Gleeson 0-3 (0-1f), Brian O’Halloran, Maurice Shanahan 0-2 each, Conor Gleeson, Jake Dillon, Michael Walsh, Darragh Fives 0-1 each.

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; James Breen, Liam Ryan; Shaun Murphy; Eoin Moore, Matthew O’Hanlon, Willie Devereux; Lee Chin, David Redmond; Paul Morris, Rory O’Connor, Conor McDonald; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Podge Doran, Jack Guiney. Subs: Aidan Nolan for David Redmond (28); Jack O’Connor for Paul Morris (41), Harry Kehoe for Conor McDonald (59); Shane Tomkins for Podge Doran (64).

Scorers: Jack Guiney 0-6 (0-6f), Jack O’Connor 1-2, Lee Chin 0-3 (0-2f), Diarmuid O’Keeffe 0-2, Liam Ryan, Aidan Nolan, Conor McDonald, Paul Morris, Eoin Moore, Rory O’Connor 0-1 each.

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).

21,097 Day Famine Ends in Thurles

Something was telling me that when previewing the Waterford and Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship game in the middle of last week that Derek McGrath would be smiling at the end of the game.

While most were opting for a Kilkenny win, possibly because Brian Cody’s side had got the better of Waterford on more than one occasion in the last number of years, I was confident that Waterford would win.

Speaking to a well known G.A.A. man in Dungarvan on Friday evening, he gave an honest opinion to me saying the outcome of the game would be 50/50. Straight away without hesitation I said I felt that Waterford would win, and so it proved to be.

It’s often the case that people say that the best team lost on the day, but on Saturday night there was no disputing the better team won.

Ok, Waterford lost an eight point lead in normal time in this game, but I firmly believe that Waterford always knew they were going to win here.

Maybe the signs were there from an early stage. TJ Reid missed a few frees that he would normally have put over blindfolded and with his back to goal.

Waterford it could be argued looked to have the game won with ten minutes to go when Austin Gleeson who was outstanding on the night along with Tadhg De Búrca put over his fifth point of the evening to go 2-15 to 1-10 in front.

But for whatever reason, Waterford lost that lead. Maybe it was a case that as a county Waterford are not used to having such a lead on our near neighbours and maybe took the foot off the pedal so to speak. Waterford did have a chance at the very end to win the game when a free was awarded with the scores locked at 2-15 each but Maurice Shanahan who was not long on and who is normally very accurate with frees put the sliotar wide of the far upright. Hindsight is always a great thing, but maybe with Pauric Mahony no longer on the field, Patrick Curran who was on the field a little longer than the big Lismore man could be asked to take the free.

Waterford had a good start to this game.

Pauric Mahony put over an early free and followed it up with another inside his own sixty five metre line to give Waterford and early two point lead.

Richie Hogan pulled a point back for Kilkenny but Kevin Moran who some Waterford supporters criticised in recent games restored a two point lead for Waterford.

Respective free takers TJ Reid and Pauric Mahony swapped scores to keep Waterford two points up in a tight start to the game. Mahony would then follow up with efforts from frees following fouls on Jake Dillon and Michael Walsh to give Waterford a four point cushion.

TJ Reid after missing a number of frees put over his second of the game to cut Waterford’s lead to three, but Austin Gleeson and Jake Dillon soon extended Waterford’s lead to five.

Eoin Murphy with a huge free found the range for Kilkenny after which Pauric Mahony with his sixth point of the game made it a five point game with Half time getting closer.

After Richie Hogan won a penalty for Kilkenny when TJ Reid was one on one with Stephen O’Keeffe from about twenty five metres he made no mistake in blasting past the Ballygunner man which must have had some say ‘here we go again’.

Austin Gleeson and Kevin Kelly swapped scores before Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh with the last attack of the half finished to the Kilkenny net from close range to give Waterford a 1-10 to 1-5 lead at the break.

Clearly not happy at the break Brian Cody brought on Ger Aylward and Lester Ryan for the second half and Ryan made an immediate impact scoring very early in the second half.

TJ Reid slotted over Stephen O’Keeffe’s crossbar and with Kilkenny now on a roll Conor Fogarty tried his luck to hit a second Kilkenny goal but Stephen O’Keeffe made an excellent save.

Reid made it a two point game when he put over a ’65. A response was needed now from Waterford. Now was the time to show how good they were. To leave Kilkenny continue their run of scores could well prove costly.

Jamie Barron gave Waterford a three point lead which was followed with a brace by Austin Gleeson which opened up a five point lead for Waterford with twenty minutes left.

Reid pulled a point back for Kilkenny which was followed with a brilliant Shane Bennett goal on fifty four minutes following some good work by Michael Walsh who robbed the ball off his name sake (Padraig) on the Kilkenny team, and when Kevin Moran followed up with a point for Waterford giving Derek McGrath’s side a 2-14 to 1-9 advantage with a quarter of an hour left things were looking extremely good for Waterford.

But you write Kilkenny off at your pearl. TJ Reid and Austin Gleeson swapped scores with over ten minutes of the seventy remaining. This however would be Waterford’s last score in normal time.

Kilkenny began to show why they have won so much as Lester Ryan pointed to leave seven between the sides. TJ Reid put over another free before the same player poked the ball over the Waterford goal line with four minutes remaining. Kilkenny were back in with a shout. Could Waterford hold out?

Ger Aylward pointed before Richie Leahy regarded as the new kid on the block in Kilkenny hurling got his first championship score for the Cats with a minute of the seventy to play.

Every time the ball went to each side of the field it was important that the backs proved strongest as four added minutes was flashed on the electric board by the four official.

Austin Gleeson had a chance to win the game for Waterford but his free went wide. TJ Reid then missed a chance to level matters as the game got tense. There was no one leaving the ground early.

With three of the four added minutes played Colin Fennelly pointed for Kilkenny to level matters. Everyone was now looking at Referee James Owens and were wondering when would he blow the final whistle and if either side would have one final attempt to stop the game going to extra time.

Deep in stoppage time, Waterford won a free in front of the old stand. Maurice Shanahan who had not long come on for Michael Walsh was given responsibility to strike but he saw his effort just go wide of the far post and the final whistle followed.

Jamie Barron ended a long drought without a score for Waterford by putting over the first in extra time but Lester Ryan responded for Kilkenny.

 TJ Reid edged Kilkenny in front when Stephen O’Keeffe was blown for over playing the sliotar but Patrick Curran quickly followed up with a score for The Déise.

Jamie Barron showed why he won an All-Star last year and why he must be in contention for one again this year by putting Waterford in front once more but TJ Reid made no mistake to tie things once more a 2-18 each.

Maurice Shanahan edged Waterford one in front before Jamie Barron with his first Championship goal on 80 minutes gave Waterford a 3-19 to 2-18 lead at the break in extra time.

TJ Reid at the start of the second period made it a three point lead before Maurice Shanahan in the third minute of the second half planted the sliotar in the Kilkenny net to give Waterford a 4-19 to 2-19 lead.

TJ Reid pointed for Kilkenny before Thomas Ryan and Richie Leahy swapped scores with four minutes remaining. Things were looking very good for Waterford.

Maurice Shanahan and TJ Reid swapped scores from frees with the extra twenty minutes up but with three minutes to be added for stoppages in the second period of extra time.

TJ Reid and Maurice Shanahan again swapped scores before Thomas Ryan with a massive score with the last puck of the game landed the sliotar over the Kilkenny crossbar giving Waterford a seven point 4-23 to 2-22 win and a first over Kilkenny since Waterford beat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final Replay back in 1959, 21,097 days earlier.

Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Tadhg de Búrca, Darragh Fives, Conor Gleeson; Philip Mahony, Jamie Barron; Kevin Moran, Austin Gleeson, Pauric Mahony; Michael Walsh, Jake Dillon, Shane Bennett. Subs: Patrick Curran for Jake Dillon (48), Stephen Bennett for Shane Bennett (61), Maurice Shanahan for Michael Walsh (69), Brian O’Halloran for Pauric Mahony (74), Thomas Ryan for Stephen Bennett (79), Colin Dunford for Patrick Curran (84), Shane McNulty for Noel Connors (86)

Scorers: Pauric Mahony 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Jamie Barron, Maurice Shanahan (0-3f) 1-3 each, Austin Gleeson 0-5, Shane Bennett, Michael Walsh 1-0 each, Tommy Ryan, Kevin Moran 0-2 each, Jake Dillon, Patrick Curran 0-1 each.

R Hogan (0-1), C Fennelly (0-1), J Farrell.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Padraig Walsh, Robert Lennon; Conor Fogarty, Cillian Buckley, Joe Lyng; Michael Fennelly,  Paddy Deegan; Kevin Kelly, Walter Walsh, T J Reid; Richie Hogan, Colin Fennelly, Jonjo Farrell. Subs: Lester Ryan for Paddy Deegan (HT), Ger Aylward for Jonjo Farrell (HT), Chris Bolger for Kevin Kelly (48), Richie Leahy for Richie Hogan (62), Liam Blanchfield for Michael Fennelly (73), Richie Hogan for Ger Aylward (85)

Scorers: TJ Reid 2-12 (0-10f, 0-1 ’65, 1-0 pen), Lester Ryan 0-3, Richie Leahy 0-2, Richie Hogan, Eoin Murphy (0-1f), Colin Fennelly, Ger Aylward, Kevin Kelly 0-1 each.

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)

Heartbreak For Waterford In Mallow

Waterford were denied a first Munster Senior Ladies Football crown since 2002 at Mallow on Saturday afternoon, as Kerry who won their third title in five years came with a late surge, kicking the last three scores of the game inside the last three minutes to win this exciting game by two points.

Cork have dominated this grade of football in the last decade and going by what we saw here and in this year’s championship, while Cork lost both their games in the Round Robin series, they are still going to be a stronghold of the game for a number of years to come yet, but they might not have things all their own way as both of these sides could well be in the hunt for major honours in the years to come, and maybe one of these two sides could be the side that will climb the Hogan Stand at the end of September.

This was the first meeting of these two sides in a provincial title since 2003 and just as they played out an exciting contest at Fraher Field in the Round Robin series of games, they played out another exciting contest here where the final outcome was in doubt right to the end.

In fact it would be said that had both sides finished level on the day and needed further time to decide the winner of this year’s championship few if any inside the ground would have complained.

Both sides it could be argued were slow to settle in this game but it could also be argued that both sides did settle fast but it was the defensive players on both sides that were on top early on.

The Waterford defensive unit it could be argued was particularly strong early on in the game as the team on the line had their homework down on their opponents and were often heard telling their charges to force their opponents onto their weaker leg which resulted in the side from the Kingdom missing many chances that they would normally be expected to take.

While defeat was Waterford’s lot on the day, the whole team can hold their heads high with the performance that they put in and they will go into the All-Ireland qualifier first round game against the winners of Laois and Cavan in a confident mood, knowing that since they played both in the league, beating Laois and losing narrowly to Cavan that they have improved considerably as a unit and no side will be underestimating them for the remainder of the year, even if they are one of the least experienced sides playing at this level of football having only moved up to the senior grade last year after nearly a decade away in the Intermediate grade and playing for a while in the lower grades of the National League.

Kerry were dealt a blow early in this game when they had Anna Galvin sin binned by the Limerick referee for a high challenge on Megan Dunford, a call which could have resulted in a straight red card on another day.

Waterford opened the scoring on twelve minutes when Maria Delahunty put over a free from just inside the Kerry forty five metre line. Minutes earlier the same player saw another free from about the same distance fall just short of its intended target.

On the quarter of an hour mark Michelle Ryan kicked an excellent point for Waterford from a move that began at the other end of the field with a Katie Hannon kick out which was worked up the field in a movement involving Caoimhe McGrath, Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall and Katie Murray before Aileen Wall for the second time in the movement found her Ballymacarbry club player who slotted over the crossbar to give Waterford a two point lead.

Kerry enjoyed a bit of a purple patch after this as they kicked the next five points in a row.

Sarah Houlihan got the ball rolling on sixteen minutes when Kerry attacked straight from the restart after Michelle Ryan’s score.

Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh off her right levelled matters a minute later and seconds later Kerry went in front when Lorraine Scanlon pointed.

Another Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh point cutting in from the stand of the side the field gave Kerry a double score lead on twenty one minutes and two minutes later Sarah Houlihan got her second of the game to give Kerry a 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

But near the start of this run Waterford were somewhat unlucky not to have scored a goal. The ball was played in around the Kerry goal and when Róisín Tobin got the ball she was judged to have over held the ball before she got a chance to shoot. Had the Abbeyside player rattled the net as she looked she was going to do we will never know now how this game would have ended.

Waterford did score a goal six minutes from the break. Grainne Kenneally who has made a big impact since she returned to the set up after serving a stint on United Nations Peace Keeping Duty was pulled down in the Kerry box resulting in a penalty awarded.

Katie Hannon who returned to the team for this game after missing the round robin games against Kerry and Cork journeyed up the field and she made no mistake coolly slotting past Laura Fitzgerald into the Kerry net minders bottom right hand corner to level matters 1-2 to 0-5.

Amanda Brosnan edged Kerry back in front but three minutes from the break Maria Delahunty following a foul on Grainne Kenneally levelled matters once more, sending the sides to the dressing rooms locked 1-3 to 0-6.

Kerry began the second half brightly kicking the first three scores of the second half.

Lorraine Scanlon got the ball rolling with a point on thirty two minutes and seconds late Sarah Houlihan pointed for the Kingdom.

On thirty four minutes came a very controversial moment, one that could well be the difference between the sides at the end. Katie Hannon was kicking the ball out after Kerry had kicked a wide but before she managed to kick it out, the County Limerick referee on the day blew his whistle and awarded Kerry a free in which Sarah Houlihan put over the crossbar.

Three points down, just four points into the second half, Credit Waterford they never gave up against their more experienced opponents at this level who were winning a third Munster Final at this level in Five years.

Mairead Wall and younger sister Aileen combined with Michelle Ryan who in turn found Maria Delahunty who attempted to cut Kerry’s lead but she saw the size four come crashing back off the crossbar and when it fell to Emma Murray she saw her shot blocked with thirty six minutes played.

Five minutes later Waterford did manage to put the ball in the Kerry net for the second time as Aileen Wall attacked down the right hand side of the field before cutting in front of the Kerry goal and she fist passed across the face of the goal and with Maria Delahunty and Grainne Kenneally racing in on goal from the stand side of the field, the Abbeyside player it was that got the final touch with her hands to level matters once more.

But Kerry would attack from the restart and went up the field like a bolt of lightning and it was Emma Sherwood who found Sarah Houlihan who slotted home low past the advancing Katie Hannon to give her side a 1-9 to 2-3 lead.

Aoife Murray set up by her triplet sister Emma pointed to leave two between the sides but that went out to three just before the three quarter stage mark of this game Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh put over a free to leave three between the sides once more.

Michelle Ryan from a Maria Delahunty ’45 that fell short slotted over to leave two between the sides once more. From the resulting restart Waterford won the ball and Aoife Murray who has done her chances of staking a place in the team next time out no harm with a solid display after coming on, found Grainne Kenneally who finished to the net with her fists to give Waterford what was a deserved lead.

With eleven minutes to go, Waterford had the chance of a fourth goal. Aileen Wall had kicked wide and from the short kick out, the ball fell between Aileen Wall and Caroline Kelly which the Ballymacarbry player won, but just as she appeared to shoot she seemed to lose her footing and the ball was cleared.

Lorraine Ní Mhuircheartaigh levelled matters once more with ten minutes to go but five minutes later Maria Delahunty put over a free following a foul on Michelle McGrath. The Ballymacarbry player would depart the game soon afterwards replaced by Stradbally’s Rebecca Casey.

Kerry would finish the game the stronger of the two sides as Laura Rogers pointed to level matters with three minutes to go, and in the last two minutes, Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh slotted over twice to seal victory for Kerry.

Waterford: Katie Hannon; Kate McGrath, Caoimhe McGrath, Megan Dunford; Dearbhaile Ni hAodha, Karen McGrath, Michelle McGrath; Mairead Wall, Emma Murray; Róisín Tobin, Grainne Kenneally, Katie Murray; Aileen Wall, Maria Delahunty, Michelle Ryan. Subs: Aoife Murray for Katie Murray (41), Eimear Fennell for Róisín Tobin (45), Rebecca Casey for Michelle McGrath (57).

Scorers: Maria Delahunty 1-3 (0-3f), Katie Hannon (pen), Grainne Kenneally 1-0 each, Michelle Ryan 0-2, Aoife Murray 0-1.

Kerry: Laura Fitzgerald; Eilish Lynch, Aislinn Desmond, Aisling Leonard; Denise Hallissey, Ciara Murphy, Caroline Kelly; Lorraine Scanlon, Emma Sherwood; Amanda Brosnan, Anna Galvin, Sarah Leahy; Sarah Houlihan, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh, Laura Rogers. Sub: Aisling O’Connell for Sarah Leahy (27).

Scorers: Sarah Houlihan 1-4 (0-1f), Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh 0-6 (2f), Lorraine Scanlon 0-2, Amanda Brosnan, Laura Rogers 0-1 each.

Referee: Jason Mullins (Limerick).