Two Tribes Go To War

There is something special about a meeting between sides from Waterford and Cork when it comes to sport. Whether it is a big Munster Clash between Waterford FC and Cork City in the League of Ireland at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre or at Turners Cross or a big Munster Championship game between Waterford and Cork in a Munster Championship Game at Walsh Park, Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Semple Stadium, when sides from Waterford and Cork meet in a big fixture, regardless of the sport, regardless of the venue the site of a Cork Jersey to a Waterford Player and vice versa brings the best out of the players.

Last Sunday at Walsh Park Waterford and Cork played in the opening round of games in this year’s National Hurling League, where despite getting off to a dreadful start, conceding two goals inside two minutes of the throw in, Liam Cahill got his reign in what supporters would call a meaningful game off to the perfect start with a one point win over the Counties greatest Rivals when it comes to hurling. That win the way it was achieved has many believing that Waterford could have a much more successful year than the county has have had in recent years and there is some suggesting that Liam Cahill’s side will be challenging for silverware in 2020.

This coming weekend a team from Waterford and team from Cork side again do battle. This time hurleys and sliotar’s will once more be involved. This time two senior sides will be involved. The only differences will be that instead of men playing as was the case last weekend, this weekend it will be the turn of the women to show off their skills and this time instead of the game taking place at Walsh Park the game will go ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the redeveloped home of the G.A.A. in Cork.

This is a game where Waterford will be travelling up the N25 minus players from the Gailltir Club who are busily preparing for their upcoming All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final against Offaly’s Saint Rynagh’s at Croke Park, the second year in the row that the Ladies from the Barony of Gaultier will make the journey to G.A.A. Headquarters. This might suggest to some that this will mean that Waterford will travel to Cork with a weakened side but this is far from the truth.

Camogie in Waterford has grown in stature in the last number of years and at the moment the game is quite strong. I for one believe that Waterford are not far off winning a major title when it comes to Camogie and I have been told that there is counties who no longer look forward to playing against Waterford as even the stronger counties are no longer assured of a win when they play the side in white and blue.

Despite missing the Gailltir players for this game and the next couple of games in the National League, Waterford will have to travel to Cork for this game believing that they can return home with the points on offer.

Yes Cork were involved in last year’s All-Ireland semi final where they lost out to Galway who beat Waterford in the previous round and who went on to beat Kilkenny in the Final to take home the O’Duffy Cup but it is known that Cork will not be as strong this year especially in the early stages of the league as they would have been in recent years.

Paudie Murray will have to plan without a number of players who were so prominent in recent years. Aoife Murray has retired from the Inter County game. Gemma O’Connor is not training with the panel, Orla Cotter has moved to the USA, three big losses for the Rebellettes.

Katrina and Pamela Mackey are studying for PhD and are expected to be out for a few weeks. Julia White is reported to be on holidays while Niamh McCarthy is reported to have left the panel. Briege Corkery is said to be involved but there is doubts in some quarters as to whether she will be fit to feature in this game and if she will it is suggested that she may not last the hour.

Waterford are under new management this year. Donal O’Rourke who brought Waterford up a level or two in his two years in charge has stepped back this year and is replaced as manager by Fergal O’Brien who was part of the Waterford Senior Hurling set up under Derek McGrath. He has brought Dan Shanahan into his set up as the coach. I saw at firsthand what he achieved last year as coach to the Saint Mary’s Junior Hurling Team and if he can get the same commitment from the Waterford Camogie Team (which I know he will) that he can bring this group of players up a level or two from what Donal O’Rourke did and who knows we could all be back in Croke Park supporting them on All-Ireland Final day very soon.

The Waterford team to play Cork was released this evening and even without the Gailltir players it looks very strong. Right throughout the side there is plenty of experience and even amongst the subs for Saturday evening’s game with the Rebellettes there is players that would find a place on the starting team of many Inter County teams.

The Brilliant Brianna O’Regan is named in goal. Two years ago she rotated the number one jersey with another brilliant net minder Ciara Jackman. Last year the De La Salle Club player was the number one choice and has the chance to cement her place once more this year as Ciara will be with the Gailltir panel for now.

A full back line of Iona Heffernan flanked by Kate McMahon and Claire Whyte will take beating, while the half back line of the very experienced Shona Curran in the number six shirt with All-Star Lorraine Bray and Sibheal Harney either side of her is also a very experienced unit.

Caoimhe McGrath and Jenny McCarthy are named in the middle of the field. Caoimhe is a duel player who happens to be named as well in the Waterford Senior Football team to play Donegal at Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon so it remains to see what will happen there, while it is brilliant to see Jenny back in the white and blue shirt.

Another player back for Waterford this year is Catriona McGlone. The Lismore player is another vastly experienced player who for club and county down the years has often popped up to rattle the net when a goal was needed. Fiona Morrissey is named at centre forward and is another vastly experienced player. Niamh Rockett is named on the other wing. What can be said of the Saint Anne’s Club Player that has not been said already. How she has not won an All-Star in one or both of the last two years is mind boggling. I have not seen a better player in the games that I have seen in League and Championship, but hopefully 2020 will be the year when she does win such an award.

Beth Carton a winner of All-Star Awards in the last two years is named at full forward. What a talent that the De La Salle Club player is and was the top scorer in the championship last year. She could well be someone that will be tightly marked this year but even if she is her markers will have to be the top of their game to stop her scoring. Alongside her on Saturday evening will be Orla Hickey from Dungarvan, a player that always gives it her all wherever she is asked to play on the team while in the other corner Aisling Power is a player who is around a number of years now and will not let anyone down either.

The experts will be making the Paudie Murray’s side favourites to begin this year’s league with a win, but something is telling me that those making such claims could be very wrong on this occasion. The side that Waterford is putting out is very strong, even as said already without the services of the Gailltir club players.

Having seen this group of players play many times in the last few years I know exactly how talented this team is. I firmly believe that Waterford are not far from winning silverware at a National Level in the Senior Grade when it comes to Camogie. I hope sooner rather than later that people will come up to me (after Waterford win silverware) and say to me you told us so. For me it would not be a shock to see Waterford open this year’s National League Campaign with a win. The National Media if it happens will tell us it was a shock result, but it won’t. Will Waterford beat Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening? I think they will.

 

West Waterford Championship Draws 2020

The draws for this year’s western championships took place at a West Waterford GAA Board meeting in Dungarvan on Thursday evening last and threw up some very entertaining pairings.

Ten teams will compete in the Intermediate Hurling Championship split into two groups with the top four teams in both groups qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. The two bottom sides play off to see who drops down a grade in 2021.

Last year’s Divisional and County Junior Champions Saint Mary’s are drawn in Group 1 and will open their campaign with what could well prove to be a very difficult task against Stradbally over the last weekend of March. In the other opening round of fixtures in this group the meeting of Cappoquin and Ardmore who were beaten in last year’s final against Ballysaggart could well prove to be a very entertaining game between two sides with serious expectations of winning this competition while the group is made up by Ballinameela who have a bye in the opening round of fixtures.

Ballyduff Upper who were relegated from the senior ranks last year will be looking to go back up at the first attempt, something they achieve when they were last relegated in 2004. They are drawn in Group 2 and will open their campaign with a game against an An Rinn side that have played in the senior grade themselves in recent years. The second opening round fixture in this group sees Shamrocks take on Clashmore/Kinsalebeg. Modeligo another side expected to make a big push to win this competition complete the group and have a bye in the opening round of fixtures.

If the Intermediate grade in West Waterford could well prove to be a tight competition, the same could well be said of the Junior Grade.

Many are expecting Brickey Rangers who dropped down last year to make the step up at the first attempt, but if they are they will have to beat some very serious opposition along the way. They will also need no telling that the side that drops down in recent years do not automatically go straight back up. They will open their campaign with a game against Tourin. Geraldines and Kilrossanty also clash in the first round of fixtures while the second string sides from Abbeyside and An Rinn also do battle in the opening round of fixtures. Abbeyside last year were beaten in the Western Final of this competition against Saint Mary’s. Colligan are the seventh side vying in this competition.

The top team will advance to the semi finals with the remaining six sides fighting it out in the quarter finals. There will be an open draw for the semi finals.

In the Junior B Championship the second string sides from Lismore, Dungarvan, Ballyduff and Brickey Rangers are all involved as are Abbeyside’s third string side. The top four sides advance to the semi finals.

In the Junior C championship, the second string sides from Cappoquin, Clashmore, Stradbally, Modeligo, Ardmore, Shamrocks and Ballysaggart are all involved as are Kilgobinet and Glen Rovers (Melleray) solitary adult hurling sides. Kilgobinet, Cappoquin, Glen Rovers and Clashmore are in Group 1, while Stradbally, Modeligo, Ardmore, Shamrocks and Ballysaggart are in Group 2. In this competition sides will meet each other on a home or away basis.

In the Western Intermediate Football Championship six teams will be competing where there will be a number of local derby games. Colligan Emmett’s will play neighbours Sliabh gCua in the first round of fixtures. Modeligo who have won this competition in the last two years starts this year’s campaign against Ballinacourty’s second string side while the final first round game sees Dungarvan take on Ballinameela, both of whom have played in the senior grade in recent years.

The top two teams will qualify for the semi finals with the remaining four sides playing in the quarter finals with the third placed team playing the sixth team. The winners of these two games advance to the semi finals with the two losers playing a relegation play off. This strangely means that the third and fourth placed teams be in a relegation play off with maybe the third team missing out on a semi final position on a head to head result with the second team finding themselves relegated.

The Junior Football Championship is split into two groups of four this year. Shamrocks will be hoping to make it three wins in a row this year and that it will be third time lucky in the county final if they do. They will start their campaign in group one with a game against Old Parish while Geraldines will play Ballyduff.

In Group 2 Tallow start with a game against Affane while Ballinacourty’s third string selection start with a local derby clash against Kilgobinet.

Gailltir Return to Croke Park for All-Ireland Date after Win over Reigning Champions

After an agonising defeat to the same opposition in last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Club Final at Croke Park, Gailltir made no mistake on Sunday afternoon last when they rather easily accounted for the Down side at Clane in county Kildare and now advance to an All-Ireland Final against another side they will be familiar with Saint Rynagh’s from Offaly, the side that Sky Blues beat in last year’s semi finals.

The Sky Blues were always on top in this game and were in a position to take off some of their biggest stars in the closing minutes of this game, allowing fringe players the chance to maybe stake a place in the starting team for the Croke Park date on March 1.

Gailltir scored a goal inside a minute of this game Annie Fitzgerald finishing past Karen Haughey in the Clonduff goal. Sarah Louise Graffin pulled a point back for the Ulster side almost straight away, but it was followed up with points for the side in sky blues by two of the clubs greatest servants, Trish Jackman with a free on two minutes and Áine Lyng ten minutes later.

Patricia O’Hagan finished top scorer for the County Down side in this game and she opened her account on 14 minutes. Annie Fitzgerald one of the rising stars of the game in the Déise County pointed for the Sky Blues on 17 minutes putting her side into a comfortable 1-3 to 0-2 lead.

Patricia O’Hagan and Annie Fitzgerald swapped scores within a minute of each other keeping the Déise side four points (1-4 to 0-3) in front, but the 2019 All-Ireland Champions finished the half strong as Patricia O’Hagan shot over four unanswered points to draw the sides level 1-4 to 0-7 at the break.

Gailltir had a brilliant start to the second half as Anne Corcoran netted inside the opening minute and the side in sky blue and navy never looked back after this.

Patricia O’Hagan and Annie Fitzgerald swapped scores before Emer Walsh got her name on the score sheet. In a bid to get something from the game, the Damien Farnon sent on Katie McGilligan for Niohmi Murray. McGilligan was named to start but was replaced before the start by Orlaith McClusker. Aoife and Annie Fitzgerald added further scores for the Sky Blues increasing their lead to six (2-9 to 0-9) with time ticking down.

Gailltir in the time that remained continued to pile on the pressure on the down champions to run out winners by eight points and will travel to Croke Park in a few weeks time in a confident mode knowing that if they can replicate a performance like this, they will become the first Waterford female club team to win at G.A.A. Headquarters on All-Ireland Final day.

Gailltir: Ciara Jackman; Leah Sheridan, Margo Heffernan, Hannah Flynn; Emma Roche, Clodagh Carroll, Trish Jackman; Kate Lynch, Shauna Fitzgerald; Ciara O’Sullivan, Áine Lyng, Annie Fitzgerald; Anne Corcoran, Aoife Fitzgerald, Emer Walsh.

Subs: Róisín Flood for Anne Corcoran, Sorcha Cantwell for Emma Roche, Emily Mahony for Leah Sheridan.

Scorers: Annie Fitzgerald 1-5, Anne Corcoran 1-2, Aoife Fitzgerald 0-3, Áine Lyng, Trish Jackman, Emer Walsh 0-1 each.

Clonduff: Karen Haughey; Isabella O’Hare, Leanne Quinn, Niohmi Murray; Erin Rafferty, Fionnuala Carr, Claire McGilligan; Paula O’Hagan, Beth Fitzpatrick; Danielle Harrison, Cassie Fitzpatrick, Sarah Louise Graffin; Orla Gribben, Clara Cowan, Orlaith McCusker.

Subs: Katie McGilligan for Niohmi Murray.

Scorers: Patricia O’Hagan 0-10, Sarah Louise Graffin 0-1

Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)

 

*Information on the matched picked up from Ulster Camogie Twitter Page and from the Gailltir Club.

 

Bennett Brothers Excel in Waterford Win

Waterford got their National Hurling League campaign off to the best possible start earlier this afternoon when they overcame the challenge of a fancied Cork side at Walsh Park winning by the smallest possible margin.

In recent years I am one of many who have hit out at the way Waterford played. In the last number of years sometimes watching the Waterford team was like watching paint dry. There was something not right. We all know what it was of course, but most took their lives in their hands to say so. Maybe it was a case that we were spoilt for choice when it came to watching hurling as it should be played under Justin McCarthy and Gerald McCarthy before that. In fairness Michael Ryan tried to play in a similar fashion but for whatever reason it was not to be and his tenure in charge of the Waterford side was a relatively short one despite the fact that many felt that he was moving the team in the right direction.

Cork got off to a flying start in this game hitting two very early goals from the sticks of Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston, but in the end they will have cursed their luck shooting 17 wides over the course of this game.

Played in front of an attendance of 4, 235 which is a very healthy one for a game played at the end of January, Waterford came storming back into this game after the nightmare start when those two goals went past Stephen O’Keeffe.

Neil Montgomery put over a sideline cut for Waterford’s first score of the game on four minutes. This is one of the most beautiful skills in the games to see executed and you can’t but wonder should it be rewarded in the same way it was a few years back in Camogie with the awarding of a double score when it goes cleanly over the crossbar.

Patrick Horgan cancelled out the Abbeyside mans score but it was after this that Waterford began to show how good a side this present panel could be. Stephen Bennett split the posts with a free followed with a brace from older brother Kieran to leave Waterford trailing 2-1 to 0-4 with nine minutes on the clock.

Darragh Fitzgibbon extended the Rebels lead before it was dramatically cut on 11 minutes when Calum Lyons and Neil Montgomery combined to set up Patrick Curran for Waterford’s only goal in this game which left just one between the sides in favour of the visiting rebel’s side.

Stephen Bennett levelled matters when he put over a free before Waterford went in front with a point from Jack Fagan on 13 minutes and seconds later that lead was extended when Stephen Bennett once more split the Cork uprights.

Seamus Harnedy pulled a point back for the visitors but his effort was cancelled out by Kieran Bennett who rivalled his brother for the official Man of the Match award. I have to admit that I find these awards funny at times as they all too often goes to the player which scores the most in the game. In my Bord na nÓg days on County Final Day and I was asked to pick the player that impressed from both sides to be invited to the annual awards night, I often strayed away from the attacking players for the award instead keeping a closer eye on players that played in goal, defence or the middle of the field.

Patrick Horgan and Kieran Bennett swapped scores from placed balls, the Ballysaggart mans effort coming from a sideline cut which had Waterford 1-9 to 2-4 in front with 24 minutes played.

Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan pulled the sides level by the 26 minutes. Stephen Bennett and Shane Kingston swapped scores after which Damien Cahalane pointed with four minutes of the opening 35 remaining to give Cork the lead by one.

But Waterford would finish the half strong as Stephen Bennett put over a brace of frees to put the home side back in front with the game gone into added time and Patrick Curran doubled Waterford’s advantage on the stroke of half time sending Waterford to the dressing rooms with a 1-13 to 2-8 advantage showing on the Walsh Park score board.

Waterford began the second half as they ended the first as Stephen Bennett put over an early brace of scores to put Waterford four in front. Patrick Horgan and Damien Cahalane however would cancel out these scores before the third minute of the second half had elapsed.

Kieran Bennett and Shane Kingston swapped scores before Stephen Bennett put over a massive ’65 struck inches from the sideline on the stand side of the field as Waterford attacked the country end of the ground.

Mark Colman hit a brace of points for the visitors with Patrick Horgan hitting one in between to tie the scoring 1-17 to 2-14 mid way through the second half.

Stephen Bennett, Jack Prendergast and Iarlaith Daly on his League Debut hit points for the home side to put them three points up with twelve minutes of normal time to play in this game.

Darragh Fitzgibbon and Patrick Curran swapped scores before Mikey Kearney five minutes after he replaced Jake Dillon and another from Patrick Curran put Waterford 1-23 to 2-16 up with 66 minutes on the stopwatch.

Patrick Horgan and Stephen Bennett swapped scores with the seventy minutes up. Cork tried hard in the time added for stoppages in the second half. Shane Kingston netted a third Cork goal in added time and Damien Cahalane pointed for the visitors to draw them to within one of the home side, but time ran out for the visitors as Liam Cahill’s side held out for what was a richly deserved win.

Next up for Waterford is an away game against Westmeath next Sunday in Mullingar a game that Waterford should win, but should not underestimate the midlander’s while Cork play Tipperary in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening, a game that will see Cork and Waterford clash in the first round of the National Camogie League before it.

WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty, Shane McNulty; Calum Lyons, Darragh Fives, Iarlaith Daly; Jack Prendergast, Jake Dillon; Neil Montgomery, Jack Fagan, Kieran Bennett; Dessie Hutchinson, Stephen Bennett, Patrick Curran.

Subs: Shane Fives for Conor Gleeson (30m), Mikey Kearney for Jake Dillon (49m), Peter Hogan for Dessie Hutchinson (52m), Darragh Lyons for Neil Montgomery (58m), Tom Barron for Jack Fagan (62m),

Scorers: Stephen Bennett 0-11 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), Patrick Curran 1-3, Kieran Bennett 0-5, Mikey Kearney, Iarlaith Daly, Jack Fagan, Neil Montgomery (sl), Jack Prendergast 0-1 each.

CORK: Anthony Nash; Niall O'Leary, Robert Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Chris O'Leary, Tim O'Mahony, Damien Cahalane; Bill Cooper, Mark Coleman; Seamus Harnedy, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Aidan Walsh; Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston, Patrick Horgan.

Subs: Luke Meade for Aidan Walsh (49m), Sean O'Leary Hayes for Niall O'Leary (52m), Sean Twomey for Conor Lehane (60m), Robbie O'Flynn for Seamus Harnedy (67m),

Scorers: Shane Kingston 2-2, Patrick Horgan 0-6 f, Conor Lehane 1-0, Damien Cahalane 0-3, Seamus Harnedy, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Mark Coleman 0-2 each,

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow).

Murray Triplets Share Four Goals as Waterford Win National League Opener

Waterford gained some revenge for last year’s All-Ireland Quarter Final loss to Galway at Pearse Park back in August last year by beating the Tribes County side at Corofin today in the opening round of fixtures in this year’s National Ladies Football League.

The home side last year contested the National League Final as well as the All-Ireland Final losing out in both to Cork and Dublin respectfully and while they featured a number of players who did not feature in them games in this game it still should be pointed out that many of those involved on Sunday with the Tribes County were part of the County Panel last year and it is only good players that make up the panel of successful sides, even if the only winners medal they ended up with last year was a Connacht winners medal after beating Mayo in a replayed final in Limerick.

The Waterford side put out by Ciaran Curran and his selectors on Sunday afternoon was one that featured a number of relatively newcomers to this level of football, but still contained a number of players that have featured in recent years with a number of players in the set up with medals won in two grades beneath the top flight of National League football helping the Déise County to capture the Division Three final back in 2016 beating Tipperary in Thurles in a replay. Prior to this Waterford had lost the two previous finals to Armagh and Sligo. Two years ago Waterford in their second year in Division two reached the semi finals, losing out to Cavan and last year beat a fancied Kerry side in the final at Parnell Park in Dublin.

The Waterford side put out on Sunday afternoon never feared their opponents and by the sixth minute they found themselves five points to the good after just six minutes.

The Déise Ladies first of five goals in this game came in the very first minute of the game when Róisín Tobin who is one of the most experienced players in this year’s panel won a Dearbhla Gower kick out and as she burst down the right hand side of the field she picked out Emma Murray with a perfect pass and the Comeragh Rangers player made no mistake in finishing to the net.

Fabienne Cooney pulled a point back for Galway almost straight away, but Waterford would soon hit back with a second goal, this time Róisín Tobin went from goal provider to goal getter after she was picked out by Liz Devine.

Galway showed why they were in both of last year’s big finals as they hit back with a Ailish Morrissey goal after she was picked out by Róisín Leonard and when Tracey Leonard followed up with a minor score there was just one between the sides.

Chloe Fennell followed up with a point for Waterford but it was followed with scores from Róisín and Tracey Leonard to tie up the scoring 2-1 to 1-4. Katie Murray and Andrea Trill swapped scores before Katie Murray and Ailish Morrissey did the same to lock the scores 2-3 to 1-6 on the board.

But Waterford would finish the half as they started it with two quick goals. The first came on 26 minutes when Aileen Wall picked out Katie Murray and the Comeragh Rangers player finished to the net. And before the break not to be left out Aileen Wall picked out the third of the Murray triplets and Aoife like Emma and Katie before her finished to the net to give Waterford a 4-3 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Waterford would begin the second half again in fine fashion as they netted a fifth goal this time Aoife Murray was again the finisher following up on a rebounded effort by her sister Katie.

Tracey Leonard hit a brace of scores for the home side who now trailed 5-3 to 1-8. Chloe Fennell hit Waterford’s last score of the game before Galway enjoyed a period of dominance in front of the posts.

The brilliant Tracey Leonard who was named in the Number 13 shirt in last year’s All-Star team put four in a row over to leave her side trailing 5-4 to 1-12. Olivia Divilly reduced the deficit by one as the home side began to lay siege on the Waterford goal, but the Waterford defence remained strong not allowing the home side any sniff at the goals and when chances came their way they had to settle for white flags over a green.

Two more points came from the Tracey Leonard to leave just one between the sides, but for Waterford, the sound of Garryowen McMahon’s full time whistle came before Ciaran Curran’s side would have possibly to settle for a share of the points.

WATERFORD: Rosie Landers; Megan Dunford, Róisín Dunphy, Rebecca Casey; Mairead Wall, Caoimhe McGrath, Maeve Ryan; Emma Murray, Chloe Fennell; Róisín Tobin, Aisling Baumann, Aileen Wall; Katie Murray, Liz Devine, Aoife Murray.

Subs: Caragh McCarthy for Maeve Ryan (50), Abbie Dalton for Róisín Tobin (53).

Scorers: Aoife Murray 2-0, Katie Murray 1-2, Róisín Tobin, Emma Murray 1-0, Chloe Farrell 0-2 (1f).

GALWAY: Dearbhla Gower; Sarah Lynch, Noelle Connolly, Shauna Molloy; Chloe Crowe, Charlotte Cooney, Fabienne Cooney; Ailbhe Davoren, Olivia Divilly; Riona Ní Fhlatharta, Tracey Leonard, Andrea Trill; Lucy Hannon, Róisín Leonard, Ailish Morrissey.

Subs: Leanne Coen for Riona Ní Fhlatharta (29), Lynsey Noone for Ailbhe Davoren (39), Sarah Conneally for Ailish Morrissey (39), Aoife Molloy for Noelle Connolly (41), Chloe Miskell for Lucy Hannon (46), Chelsie Crowe for Chloe Crowe (54).

Scorers: Tracey Leonard 0-10 (7f), A Morrissey 1-1, Olivia Divilly, Fabienne Cooney, Róisín Leonard (f), Andrea Trill 0-1 each.

Referee:  Garryowen McMahon (Mayo).

No Joy for Waterford in National League Opener

For the third year in a row Waterford failed to win their opening fixture in the National Football League when they went under to Limerick at Fraher Field on Saturday evening, the Treaty County side coming out on top by three points after they hit the games only game.

The win for Limerick was their second this month over the home side following up on their McGrath Cup win at the same venue at the start of the month. The visitors travelled to Dungarvan for this game on a bit of a high after they won the McGrath Cup Final recently against Cork at the Gaelic Grounds, but had to work hard for this win. The visitors finished this game with only 13 players on the field as they had defender Paul Maher sent off after he collected his second yellow card on 57 minutes and had Bob Childs who was making his league debut sent off in stoppage time again after he picked up a second yellow card.

It was the winners that opened the scoring in this game after just 35 seconds when Seamus O’Carroll split the Waterford posts, but Waterford hit back in fine fashion as Brian Lynch replied for Benji Whelan’s side sixty seconds late and this was followed up with scores from Jason Curry on four minutes from a free and then Darragh Corcoran on his League Debut split the posts, before Conor Murray put the home side three points in front with eleven minutes played.

The first goal chance of the game was created on fourteen minutes when Cillian Fahy set up Danny Neville but his shot was blocked by Paudie Hunt one of a number of players making their league debut in this game and from the rebound Danny Neville saw his chance for a goal on the follow up smothered by the Waterford defence.

The visitors however did not have to wait long to breach the home side defence as on fifteen minutes Padraig de Brun who plays his club football with Firies in Kerry one of two Limerick players in this game to play for clubs outside the county combined with Iain Corbett to set up Danny Neville who played a clever pass to Adrian Enright who finished past Paudie Hunt to level matters on the score board.

Conor Murray restored a one point advantage for the home side but the sides were level once more when Donal O’Sullivan was brought up field to kick a free mid way between the 20 and 45 metre lines over Paudie Hunt’s crossbar.

The same player converted another free three minutes from time to give his side the lead but two minutes later Waterford Jason Curry put over a free for the hosts to level matters 1-3 to 0-6 as the break loomed.

Limerick started the second half as they did the first with an early score from Tommy Griffin and they followed it up with Adrian Enright’s second score of the evening on 41 minutes to put them two in front. Jason Curry pulled a point back for the hosts with another converted free leaving the minimum between the sides, but the visitors would double their advantage on 50 minutes when Danny Neville split the posts and the same player put three between the sides when he scored again.

Cillian Fahy and Conor Murray swapped scores to keep Enright’s goal between the sides with three quarters of the game played. Josh Ryan fired the visitors three in front with a fisted effort, but it was cancelled out with another Jason Curry free.

After Limerick had their numbers on the field cut, both sides continued to work hard to get the full brace of points on offer in this game, but it was the visitors who would take them as both sides shared two points in the closing minutes as Danny Neville brought his tally to three for the evening while for Waterford Rathgormack’s Jason Curry popped over a ’45 in stoppage time.

Next up for Waterford is a very tricky assignment away to Wicklow in Aughrim.

LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Paul Maher, Brian Fanning, Michael Donovan; Tony McCarthy, Iain Corbett, Bob Childs; Tommy Griffin, Adrian Enright; Padraig de Brun, Cillian Fahy, Seamus O'Carroll; Jamie Lee, Danny Neville, Josh Ryan. 

Subs: Tommie Childs for Adrian Enright, James Naughton for Seamus O'Carroll (49), Hugh Bourke Padraig for de Brún (64), Padraig Scanlon for Jamie Lee (68), Patrick Begley for Josh Ryan (70).

Scorers: Adrian Enright 1-1, Danny Neville 0-3, Donal O'Sullivan 0-2 (2 frees), Tommy Griffin, Cillian Fahy, Seamus O'Carroll, Josh Ryan 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: Paudie Hunt; Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Brian Looby, Robbie Flynn; Darragh Corcoran, Sean O’Donovan, Dermot Ryan; Michael Curry, Mikey Kiely; Dylan Guiry, Jason Curry, Stephen Curry; Conor Murray (Capt), Brian Lynch, Jason Gleeson. 

Substitutes: Fearghal Ó Cuirrín for Robbie Flynn (43), Donie Fitzgerald for Jason Gleeson (62), Corey Kennedy for Sean O'Donovan (64). 

Scorers: Jason Curry 0-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 '45), Conor Murray 0-3, Darragh Corcoran, Brian Lynch 0-1 each. 

Referee: James Bermingham (Cork)

 

Michelle Ryan Brings Glorious Inter County Career to an End

One of the greatest exponents of Ladies Gaelic Football has decided to hang up her boots after 18 years playing with the Waterford team.

Since first joining the Waterford Senior Ladies Football Panel in 2001, Michelle Ryan has proven to be one of the finest players that the game has ever produced over a long period in which she won many honours.

Michelle first pulled on the Waterford jersey as a player to help Waterford capture the 1998 under 14 all-Ireland Final and went on to play for the county at all levels since then.

Two All-Ireland minor finals were also won with Michelle involved in 2000 and 2001where she was one of the standout players from a talented panel of players.

She played with the Waterford Senior team for a number of years before the side were relegated to the Intermediate Championship in 2008. Playing in the second tier championship Waterford were very successful winning seven Munster Finals in a row between 2009 and 2015 where Michelle was one of a number of players to be involved in all seven winning teams. In this time Michelle helped Waterford to reach three All-Ireland Intermediate finals, losing to Donegal in 2010 and Armagh in 2012 before beating Kildare in 2015 where she played alongside her younger sisters Louise and Sinead.

During her long inter county career she help Waterford to win the 2002 Munster Senior Final and is the holder of National League Medals in Divisions One, Two and Three, beating Mayo in the Division One title at Ennis in 2002, Tipperary at Thurles in the 2016 Division Three final and last year helped Waterford defeat a fancied Kerry side in the Division two final at Parnell Park in Dublin.

Over a long number of years she was selected to play with Munster in the Interprovincial Championship helping the southern province to win on five occasions in 2007, 2009, 2011 and most recently in 2018 and 2019.

Twice nominated for an All-Star in 2010 and 2012 when Waterford were playing in the Intermediate grade, she was four times selected on a National League team of the year, twice in Division three in 2010 and 2014 and twice in Division two in 2011 and 2019. In 2017 she was voted Munster’s player of the year.

Michelle is an integral part of the Ballymacarbry Club where she has won so many honours down the years who she will continue to play for and will continue to work to develop the game of Ladies Football at Club, County and inter county level in the coming years.

Many of us who are supporting Waterford Ladies Football will remember Michelle and her sister Louise as mascots for the great team put together by her father Michael in the 1990’s and will remember them kneeling in front of team photographs taken in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day.