Waterford March On

I stand to be corrected on this and no doubt if I am wrong someone will tell me that I am and will put me right. I think it was former England International Soccer Player Jimmy Greaves that once said “Football (referring to soccer) is a funny old game”.

Well in 2013, it could well be argued that “Hurling is a funny old game”. The way some results have worked out in this year’s championship is amazing.

Waterford loosing to Clare may not be the biggest shock of the year, but to some it was. Having disposed of Waterford Clare was then expected to beat Cork. After all Davy Fitzgerald and his Clare charges had beaten Cork after extra time in a relegation play off at the end of the league and they were expected to do the same in the championship.

Tipperary loosing to Limerick in the championship was defiantly a shock as was Dublin beating Kilkenny. At the start of the year most hurling supporters would have said that Tipperary would win the Munster Hurling Championship and that Kilkenny would have win the Leinster Championship. In fact most would have boldly predicted that the two would be contesting the All-Ireland Final in September.

We are not yet out of the month of June, and both are out of their Provincial championships. The draws for the second phase of the All-Ireland qualifiers is already made and the two are pitted against each other, meaning as I ready somewhere on twitter earlier this year that one of these sides will be out of the championship before Waterford which is amazing.

Waterford could just as easily have been like Tipperary or Kilkenny and be out of the championship before the provincial finals were played.    

Against Westmeath in the first half, Waterford were not the side that we know the side they are capable of being.

Westmeath were always going to be a tough act to beat. Like many other teams, while they are a long way off playing in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day they are a side that are able to mix it with the stronger sides.

In 2012, they put it up to Galway in the quarter finals of the Leinster Championship. While Galway won the game hitting 5-19, an impressive score to put up any day of the week in any grade of hurling, but they conceded 4-12 on the day as well.

The fact that this happened is not a surprise. Galway at times reminds me of a Nursery Rhyme, the name of which I cannot remember right now. Most will know the rhyme that I am referring to:

There was a little girl,

Who had a little curl,

Right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good,

She was very good,

But when she was bad, she was horrid.

When Galway is good, they can be like that little girl. As we saw last year when they won the Leinster Final and when they went so close to winning the All-Ireland Final, they can be very good, but we have also seen then play poor, and when they do, they can be shocking.

In the first half of the game with Waterford, Westmeath were well up for the game. They matched Waterford in every department, and for long periods of the first half they lead, and it looked as though a result which Waterford were at the end of twenty years ago could well be on the cards.

However in truth, that was never going to happen. I don’t think too many could seriously have seen anything but a Waterford win in this game and a good win at that. In the second half, while they disappointed somewhat in the opening thirty five minutes, in the second half, Waterford showed themselves to be the team they are.

At the break, the sides were locked 0-10 to 1-7 with wing forwards Brendan Murtagh and Derek McNicholas doing the most of the damage on the Waterford defence. At the opposite end of the field, many of the Waterford players were not performing as they are capable and had Maurice Shanahan not been on the field, Waterford could halve found themselves in a lot of trouble.

Playing with the breeze at their backs in the first half, Westmeath started well. Derek McNicholas hit an early point for Waterford which Maurice Shanahan cancelled out with a free. The big Lismore man pointed against shortly after wards to give Waterford the lead and it was expected that Waterford would plough on from here and go on to win the game as easily as most were expecting.

However this was not to be the case and Westmeath enjoyed a period of dominance.

Derek McNicholas pointed for Westmeath to draw the sides level, before Aonghus Clarke, Brendan Murtagh and Derek McNicholas all hit points to give Westmeath a surprise three point advantage after sixteen minutes.

Waterford hit back with points from Maurice Shanahan firstly from a free and then play before Kevin Moran put over his first of the evening to tie the scoring at five points each after twenty minutes.

Westmeath still refused to lie down and roll over. The Midlanders hit the next three points in a row. Derek McNicholas was first off the mark. Eoin Price, a player highly regarded of in Westmeath was next of the mark and then Brendan Murtagh scored again to give his side a 0-8 to 0-5 lead with twenty seven minutes played.

Waterford now knew they were in a game and they needed to get more than Maurice Shanahan scoring in the forwards. The big Lismore man pointed again to leave two between the sides. John Shaw restored a three point cushion for Westmeath once more before Brian O’Sullivan following some good work by Seamus Prendergast hit the first major score of the game three minutes from the break to level matters for the fourth time in the half.

Westmeath went back into the lead with a point from Derek McNicholas but the sides would retire to the dressing rooms all square after Shane O’Sullivan hit a point just before the break.

What ever was said in the dressing room at the break worked for Waterford. They came out a much different side for the second thirty five minutes and took the game to the home side.

Seamus Prendergast, Brian O’Sullivan and Maurice Shanahan all hit early scores to give Waterford a 1-10 to 0-10 lead six minutes after the restart.

Tommy Doyle a second half substitute for John Shaw pulled a point back for Westmeath but three points from Maurice Shanahan, two from Seamus Prendergast followed to give Waterford a 1-15 to 0-11 lead with forty-eight minutes on the clock.

Waterford were now well on top and changes were begun to be made. Gavin O’Brien was sent on for Pauric Mahony and within seconds of coming on he helped set up Brian O’Sullivan for his second major score of the game.

Jake Dillon and then Darragh Fives both landed points to extend Waterford’s lead to 2-17 to 0-11.

Jake Dillon landed his second score of the game thirteen minutes from time which was followed by a Brendan Murtagh point.

Brian O’Sullivan and Kevin Moran helped extend Waterford’s lead to fourteen points, before Shane Fives got in on the act and hit a point for Waterford.

 Eoin Price and Jamie Barron swapped scores to before Maurice Shanahan who is in impressive form for Waterford of late hit a third Waterford goal late in the game.

Waterford could have added a forth goal late on but Peter Collins did well to keep out Brian O’Sullivan’s attempt to complete his hat-trick.

Waterford made life tough for themselves in the first half of this game, but they pulled out all the stops in the second half to run out convincing winners.

Next up for Waterford is a meeting with the winners of one of next weekend’s second round games, between Laois and Clare or Kilkenny and Tipperary.

Most Waterford and hurling supporters in general are of the opinion that Clare will be too strong for Laois and as Waterford have played Clare already this year the sides cannot meet again till later in the year, which means a game most likely against Tipperary or Kilkenny.

If this is how things work out, Waterford will go into the game as the rank outsiders. Those previewing the game will be quick to point out that in the first thirty-five minutes against Westmeath Waterford found it hard to get the better of them. Previewers of the game will be quick to point out that Waterford’s leading scorer in the championship is Maurice Shanahan and that if the opposition were to keep him quiet, then Waterford are going to be in trouble.

This is exactly what Waterford will want to happen. Let’s take all the pressure off Waterford. Let it be all heaped most likely on Tipperary or Kilkenny. Let’s tell them that Waterford are not the side they once were and that either of them should be beating them out the gate by half time and then beating them back in. Waterford will love this. The pressure will all be off us as a county. If we were to put up a decent performance against one of our neighbours, the previewers of the games will be happy with that.

I feel that there is more to come from this Waterford side. I believe that there is one very big performance in Waterford. If that is in the next game it could well mean that the two teams most favoured to be in Croke Park in September would be out of the Championship and if that was to happen, anything could happen.

Waterford has a settled team. Jamie Nagle missed the game against Westmeath. He will strengthen the team on our next outing. In the second half we saw some of the pressure taken off Maurice Shanahan when it comes to scoring. That is a good thing. Waterford hit three goals against Westmeath. Again that is a good thing. It will give the side confidence in their next game as they will know that they can hit goals.

Waterford kept a clean sheet against Westmeath, another plus. People might say it was only Westmeath, but remember I have told you already Galway who won last years Leinster Final and came within a whiskers length of winning the All-Ireland allowed them to hit four against them twelve months ago.

Coming off the bench, Waterford have some very good players. Gavin O’Brien, Eddie Barrett, Dean Twomey, and Jamie Barron all came on against Westmeath and could if called upon start in Waterford’s next game and do a job.

Paudie Prendergast has impressed a lot this year. He missed the game against Westmeath with illness and he would be expected to be in with a shout again at starting in a forth-nights time.

Shane Walsh is a player that has suffered his fair share of injuries in recent years. Hopefully he will be in contention for a place in the starting team and if not to be one of the first players to be sprung from the bench.

In naming those sent on against Westmeath, I deliberately till now left out one name. Tony Browne, what a man. On the eve of his 40^th birthday, he received the biggest cheer of the night when he came on for the last ten minutes of the night. When he tried his luck for a score, every hurling supporter was willing the ball to between the posts. Had he managed it, I’m sure he would have received a standing ovation.

What a player. What a man. In an era when many players are calling a day to their inter county careers in their late twenties or early thirties, he is like the Duracell Bunny, he goes on an on.

In this year of surprise results, wouldn’t it be great if the brilliant Mount Sion Clubman, who is playing with Waterford since October 1991, was to win the Celtic Cross Medal that he and many others would love to see him add to his collection. I am sure if he did, there would not be a dry eye in Waterford. And in this year of surprise results, you never know, it could well happen.   

WATERFORD: Stephen O'Keeffe; Shane Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors; Darragh Fives, Michael Walsh, Ray Barry; Richie Foley, Kevin Moran; Maurice Shanahan, Pauric Mahony, Shane O'Sullivan; Jake Dillon, Seamus Prendergast, Brian O'Sullivan. Subs: Gavin O'Brien for Mahony (53 mins), Eddie Barrett for D Fives (55), Dean Twomey for Foley (57), Tony Browne for Barry (60), Jamie Barron for Dillon (63).

Scorers: Maurice Shanahan 1-9(4fs); Brian O’Sullivan 2-2; Seamus Prendergast 0-3; Kevin Moran, Jake Dillon 0-2 each; Shane Fives, Darragh Fives, Shane O’Sullivan, Jamie Barron 0-1 each
WESTMEATH: Peter Collins; Liam Varley, Tommy Gallagher, Paul Fennell; David Fennell, Alan McGrath, Adam Price; Eoin Price, Robbie Greville; Brendan Murtagh, John Shaw, Derek McNicholas; Niall O'Brien, Joey Boyle, Aonghus Clarke. Subs: Tommy Doyle for Shaw (38 mins), Gary Greville for Gallagher (49), Aaron Craig for O'Brien (65), Shane Power for R Greville (65), Thomas Egan for Varley (66).

Scorers: Derek McNicholas 0-6(4fs); Brendan Murtagh 0-3; Eoin Price 0-2; Aonghus Clarke, John Shaw, Tommy Doyle 0-1 each
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

Waterford must travel to Cork in first round of Camogie Championship

This coming weekend promises to be a big weekend for Camogie in Waterford as the counties Intermediate Team travel to Cork to take on the Rebels in the first round of this year’s championship.

Last year in their first year up in the Intermediate grade Waterford did remarkably well reaching the All-Ireland semi finals where they lost out to Galway by four points.

Over the winter Waterford manager Mark Cooney was able to add to the panel he had at his disposal in 2012 and meaning that Waterford would once again be one of the favourites to win the All-Ireland Championship from an early stage this year.

Waterford was expected to make a good stab at the league this year despite getting drawn in a tough group and they did not disappoint.

Earlier this year I read an amazing fact. Well if you think about it, it was not really that amazing.  

As will be seen further down Waterford this year reached the League semi final. In the run up to the game, the administrator of the @deisecamogie twitter account pointed out that when the players got home after the game, they would have clocked up about 1000 miles or 1700kms just travelling to and from games played in the National League this year.

By the time the league stages of the championship are complete Waterford will have racked up a similar number of miles just to attend competitive games.

I don’t know if it is possible, but you can’t but wonder when it comes to the league and championship could it be restructured in such a way that travelling is cut down some bit for the players.

I don’t imagine any County Camogie Board is bursting at the seams with money. I am sure that most are doing very well just to be keeping their heads above water and that expenses are cut to the limit.

One way of helping out might be to split the country North and South and that teams play each other geographically.

Waterford this year in the league was paired in a group along with Limerick, Meath, Galway, Antrim and Wexford.

Of Waterford’s five games, only one was played at a home venue for Waterford. The game against Antrim would normally be a home game for Waterford, but because in Camogie when teams are beyond a certain distance apart, common sense usually pervades and the game is played at what is seen as a half way venue to both. This year that meant that for the game between Waterford and Antrim, the two sides had to go to Dublin for the game, so its easy to see how the miles are racked up.

Another amazing fact that I learned recently was that for one away games, the players drove to the game themselves, saving the county board the expense of hiring a bus and hoping that money might be there later in the year if it was needed. You really have to admire the players for doing things like this and it shows what they are prepared to do to play in the game that they love to play.

Waterford’s first game in the league was an away game against Meath. The Leinster side went into this game after having a good 2012 which saw them lift some silverware at a national level.

Waterford had to travel to Dunganny near Ashbourne for the game and it was no surprise that the home side ran out winners on an 0-8 to 0-5 score line.

From here however, it was onwards and upwards for Waterford in the league section of the competition.

Another away game this time to Ballinasloe was next up for Waterford to play Galway. This proved to be a tight game which Waterford ran out winners 1-8 to 1-6.

Waterford’s only home game was against Wexford at Fraher Field. Here Waterford put in a very good display, running out winners on a 0-13 to 1-6 score line.

Waterford’s game with Limerick was played as part of a double header with the Limerick and Wexford National Hurling League game at the Gaelic Grounds. This is something that has happened a few times this year and hopefully is something that we will see more and more of in the future. It is a great way to promote the game. It is something that the Camogie Association are hoping that will happen following Liberty Assurance getting involved with the G.A.A. as a sponsor of the hurling championship and recently with the Camogie Association as its new championship sponsor. The numbers that might be in attendance for the start of a Camogie (I am assuming that it would be the curtain raiser) might not be anything bigger than normal, but by the time that the game was over a much bigger crowd would be watching the players to show what they can do and I am sure that most would be impressed.

The game in Limerick might not have been the highest scoring game that you will see. Waterford won’t mind. On the day conditions were terrible but Waterford won 0-5 to 0-4 to guarantee the county a place in the semi finals.

Waterford’s last league game was against Antrim and was played at O’Toole Park in Crumlin. This proved to be a contrast of Waterford’s previous games. Scores were plentiful and Waterford ran out winners 2-14 to 2-10.

In the semi finals, Waterford was paired with Kildare. This was a game that Waterford and everybody else found hard to promote, as a venue for the game was only confirmed late in the week.

Early in the week Waterford appeared to understand that they would be heading to a venue in Wicklow for the game, but ended up going to Mountmellick in Laois.

Waterford travelled to the Laois venue in a confident mood but on the day things did not work out as planed.

Playing conditions were far from perfect on the day. Heavy rain had fallen and the pitch was holding water in places, which meant that underfoot conditions were not ideal. A strong breeze also blew which Kildare had first use of.

Waterford started the game brightly, just three minutes into the game had a chance of hitting a major score but the ball came off the upright.

With the wind at their backs, the Lilly-whites pushed Waterford all the way. Susie O’Carroll put over three frees in the first ten minutes of the game before Trish Jackman pulled one back for Waterford from a free.

Unfortunately for Waterford, this was to be the side’s only score in the opening thirty minutes. Kildare however had Susie O’Carroll in terrific form. She hit five further scores for the Leinster side in the first half, three of which were from frees to give them a 0-8 to 0-1 lead at the turn around.

Although Waterford trailed by seven at the break, Waterford was expected to make a game of it in the second half and they did not disappoint.

Shona Curran hit an early point for Waterford but Angela Lyons responded for Kildare. Waterford responded with three points in a row, two coming from the Trish Jackman frees, the third from play hit by Jennie Simpson.

Points from Caroline Forde and Susie O’Carroll steadied the ship somewhat for Kildare with ten minutes to go.

Waterford upped the game in the closing minutes. Trish Jackman hit three frees to leave four between the sides, but the goal that Waterford needed to rattle the Kildare defence never came. Kildare ran out winners 0-12 to 0-8.

Although Waterford’s league campaign ended in somewhat of a disappointing note, 2013 can still be a year to remember for Waterford.

Since the game with Kildare, Waterford has continued to work hard, putting in the hours of hard work needed to prepare for the championship;

They have already played this weekend’s opponents in the last few weeks, beating them 4-14 to 1-11 in the Munster Championship Semi Final at Tallow to set up a Munster Final against Tipperary towards the end of July.

Waterford has a very settled look to the team which looks well leading into the championship.

Deirdre Brennan is likely to start in goal but could be challenged hard for the number one shirt by Aisling O’Brien.

A full back line of Emma Hannon, Fiona Morrissey and Vicky Falconer is one that seems to be favoured by the management team. Marie Russell and Charlotte Raher could well start at five and six with the number seven position likely to be fought out between Claire Whyte and Jenny McCarthy.

If Clare Whyte is selected at seven, Jenny McCarthy will be in contention for one of the Centre field positions along with Jennie Simpson and Shona Curran.

Trish Jackman and Nicola Morrissey could well start in the half forward line with Mairead Murphy most likely to be the third member of this line of attack.

A number of players are also in contention to start in the inside forward line. Karen Kelly is a good bet to start at full forward and along side her Zoe O’Donoghue, Valerie O’Brien and Lorraine Bray are amongst those most likely to be in contention for places.

Just as in Hurling, Camogie is by no means a sixteen or seventeen woman game any longer and Waterford are able to call upon a number of quality players if needed that have not already got a mention. These include Ciara Keogh, Claire Murphy, Deirdre Nugent, Johanna Houlihan, Labhaoise Dunbar, Laura Buckley, Nicola Fitzgerald, Orla O’Neill, Sara Judge and Sarah Coughlan.

Waterford play Cork at 1pm on Saturday at the Glen Rovers grounds in the city and on Sunday Waterford have to make a return to the Southern Capital where the Waterford u16 team will be hoping to build on last weeks brilliant win over Westmeath at Bushy Park as they take on Cork at the Cork Camogie Grounds at Mahon, with the game having a 3pm throw in.

For the record in the Intermediate championship Waterford have further games against Limerick (away) Kilkenny (home) and Antrim (half way) to play. The championship got under way last weekend. Waterford had a bye. In the other games, Limerick beat Kilkenny 1-12 to 1-8 at Urlingford while Cork and Antrim drew 2-12 a piece at Ashbourne.

Waterford minors are through another Munster Final.

Waterford are through to a fourth Munster Minor Hurling Final in five years after they overcame the challenge of Cork last night in Pairc Ui Rinn, winning on a 3-19 to 1-20.

In the final Waterford will play Limerick at their own Gaelic Grounds after they beat Tipperary in an equally as exciting game played at Semple Stadium last night.

Waterford despite a poor start, were full value for their win. The win of course will go down in history as it appears that it was Waterford’s first ever championship win at underage level against Cork on their own patch.

Wins like last nights do not happen over night or indeed over a period of a few weeks or months.

A lot of work goes into preparing teams for victories last night. A lot of credit must go to the Management team that are over the team for their input. The same must also be said of those that were over this group of players through the different development squads over the past number of years in which the players of this group of players were involved with.

Of course it’s not just down to the work done by the development squads. The work done by those involved in the secondary school teams with the players has played a part, as has the roll played by the clubs.

When it comes to coaching, the best coaching the players involved in last nights win be it with those that played or were an unused sub, came when they were six and seven years of age, starting their first steps towards last nights win, when they were shown the correct way if there is such a thing, to do things, and the bad habits that some players had in the past were discouraged.

However, I have a firm believe that the biggest factor in wins last night is our structures. Almost two decades ago, before many of the players involved in last nights win were born, some hard decisions were made and they have worked and still continue to work a treat for hurling in Waterford.

If Waterford are to move to the next step of the ladder and to get to where we want to be and where we all dream about, we have to take similar steps further up the ladder when it comes to the G.A.A. in Waterford, but are we as a county for its betterment prepared to make these changes. Hell will freeze over first before some will vote for change, but maybe if they are not prepared to vote or allow changes to me made unanimously, despite that fact that these people are very good G.A.A. people who have served the association well down the years, those that want to see the changes made which to me would be the majority should do whatever we have to, to ensure that these changes are made.

I am sure a number of people know what I am referring to. To those that don’t, I am calling for all county competitions to be introduced in Waterford and sooner rather than later. It has worked well at underage levels within the county so why can’t it work at adult level. We have the Munster and All-Ireland ‘A’ and ‘B’ Colleges trophies in the county. We are within sixty minutes of adding the Munster Hurling Trophy. It would be a terrible mistake having seen the players rise to the standard that they are currently at not get the chance to bring their game to the next level.

Cork made all the early running in last night’s game. At one stage it looked as though Waterford could well be on the end of a heavy defeat, but credit to the players, when things were not going the way that we would have liked they never threw in the towel and they were rewarded for their hard work.

The Rebels had the ball in the Waterford net inside forty seconds of this game starting, when Michael Cahalane fired past Gavin Power in the Waterford goals.

Points from Pa O’Callaghan (3), Rickard Cahalane and Michael Cahalane were added for Cork before the end of the first quarter with a single response coming for Waterford from a Patrick Curran free to give Cork a 1-5 to 0-1 lead.

But things could be different for Waterford. Referee Fergal Hogan called play back after Stephen Bennett put the ball in the Cork net after six minutes, and awarded the visitors a penalty which the Ballysaggart man struck but saw it saved by the three man Cork defensive line across the goal. Was it a harsh call by the referee to cancel out the goal which he had scored and award a penalty? Some say that the advantage should be played. But what is an advantage. Every referee, every player, every coach, every spectator sees it differently. A foul is a foul in everybody’s book (well most of the time) and usually results in a free or a penalty given to the injured party, so maybe, depends on how you look at it, the Tipperary man made the correct call.

Waterford came more into the game in the second quarter of the opening half. The side conceded just two points, and hit three themselves; Patrick Curran putting over a brace of placed balls and Colm Roche hit one to leave Waterford trailing 1-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Whatever was said in the Waterford dressing room and by whomever, it worked. Waterford came out all guns blazing.

Colm Roche hit 1-1 and Stephen Bennett hit a goal inside two minutes of the restart to give Waterford a 2-5 to 1-7 lead.

Cork levelled through Anthony Spillane but Stephen Bennett who is in the county minor panel for the third year running soon edged Waterford back in front, but Pa O’Callaghan wasted no time to level matters once more.

No one in the 3,671 attendance had any intention of leaving this game early to shorten the journey home. Down the years some terrific battles were fought out between Waterford and Cork. A great respect has grown for each other between the two sides. The only difference between these past battles and last nights game was the grade at which the game was played.

Both sides really went for it, but neither could fight off the challenge of their opponents and it was no major surprise that when the Co Tipperary official (a little early) blew the game up, the sides were locked together, Waterford 2-12 – Cork 1-15.

Cork were dealt a hammer blow early in the first ten minutes of extra time when wing back Alan O’Callaghan was sent off after he picked up his second yellow card of the game. However, playing with a numerical disadvantage is often an advantage as it puts pressure on the opposition as to how best use the extra man, while for the team with the disadvantage, its somewhat simple, you play a two man full forward line and keep the other lines across the field as you started.

Cork battled hard with fourteen men and at the break they lead 1-18 to 2-14. A replay at Walsh Park or Fraher Field next weekend could not be ruled out at this stage as the sides turned around for the second extra ten minutes with the lights at the Cork Venue now in use.

Many felt that Portlaw’s DJ Foran should have started this game, but he did come on before the break in normal time replacing Adam Farrell and he showed exactly why some think he should have started. He did his chances of starting in the Munster Final no harm at all when he hit a third Waterford goal which proved to be a killer score for Cork.

Waterford outscored the home side 1-5 to 0-2 in the second extra ten minute spell for what was a fully deserved victory after eighty minutes of real championship hurling.

WATERFORD: G Power; C Leamy, W Hahessey, K Daly; T Devine, A Gleeson, Shane Bennett; M Harney, M Kearney; A Farrell, C Roche, C Curran; P Curran, Stephen Bennett, C Gleeson. Subs: D Foran for Farrell (26); M O’Brien for Kearney (30); C Breathnach for C Curran (45); S Hogan for Roche (inj. 75); P O’Connor for Harney (76).

Scorers: P Curran (0-12, seven frees, 0-2 65s); C Roche (1-3); Stephen Bennett (1-1); D Foran (1-0); C Gleeson, C Breathnach, P O’Connor (0-1 each).

CORK: P Collins; D Quinn, K Histon, S O’Brien; C Twomey, K O’Connor, A O’Callaghan; M O’Connor, R Cahalane; C McCormack, K O’Neill, P Kelleher; M Cahalane, P O’Callaghan, A Spillane.  Subs: C Kelleher for S O’Brien (inj. 7); B Dunne for Kelleher (44); A Ward for Dunne (71); D Hannon for O’Connor (77).

Scorers: P O’Callaghan (0-10, five frees); M Cahalane (1-1); A Spillane (0-4); M O’Connor (0-3, one free); R Cahalane, C McCormack (0-1 each).

Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary).

 

A great weekend for Waterford's Camogie and Ladies Football teams.

What a weekend it was for the different Waterford teams that entered action this weekend. While most of the attention will go to the County Senior Hurling teams, the performances of out different ladies teams also need to be recognised and the players involved in the different games congratulated.

The counties under 16 Camogie team took on Westmeath at Bushy Park in the first round of the championship.

I don’t know if any thought has gone into it by the respective associations at National Level, but I for one have often wondered should the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association should merge.

Both associations have some great women and men involved as players, officials and administrators. There are players that play both games and there are officials who are involved in both games, and then again there are players and officials who are involved in just one game.

If there was a merger you could not force people to get involved in both codes. There are men who play hurling and football, and then there is players that play just one game. You can’t force the men to play both if they don’t want to and you could not force the ladies to do so either.

However if there was a merger with the best of minds from both associations brought together to run the ‘new’ association you cannot but feel that the games of Camogie and Ladies Football would be much stronger as a result.

While the counties under 16 Camogie Team were playing yesterday at Bushy Park, less than five miles up the road at the same time, Waterford Ladies Intermediate Ladies Footballers were in action at Fraher Field.

There was a good crowd at Fraher Field, I don’t know what was in Bushy Park, but if there was one body running the two games, you can’t but think that the two games could be played at the one venue and that supporters would not have to pick which game they wanted to attend.

At Bushy Park Waterford were always the better team at the break they lead 7-7 to 0-3 and by full time, Waterford had added 3-3 without conceding.

Played with a strong wind blowing, this was Waterford’s first competitive game since they beat Cork earlier in the year in the Munster final earlier this year.

In the second half, even playing with a strong wind in their faces, Waterford continued to play well, bringing a number if fresh players into the game and in the end ran out convincing winners.

Beth Carton finished top scorer for Waterford hitting 4-3 for the side coached by former Waterford hurler Shane Ahearne. Also on the score sheet for Waterford were Elizabeth McGrath who hit a hat-trick, Ciara Twomey and Aisling power hit 1-2 and 1-1 respectfully. Molly Curran hit 0-3, Jessica Glavin hit two points and goal keeper Brianna O’Regan landed a goal from a free.

The Waterford panel that played Westmeath was Brianna O’Regan, Courtney Healy, Beth Carton, Ciara Twomey (all De La Salle), Rachel Donnelly, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath, Molly Curran, Hannah Murphy-Nix, Catherine Hahessy (all Brickeys), Sarah Geoghegan (Lismore), Roisin Cahillane, Jessica Glavin, Aisling Power, Clodagh Glavin, Emily Power (all Cappoquin), Bronwyn Grace, Sibeal Harney, Aoife Shanahan, Saoirse Bonner (all St. Anne’s), Iona Heffernan, Niamh Ahearne (all Ferrybank), Elizabeth McGrath, Kate McMahon (all Butlerstown), Sarah Murray (Tramore), Taylor Murray, Kayleigh Veale  (Dungarvan).

In the Munster Intermediate Ladies Football Championship, Waterford has one foot in this year’s Munster Final on July 13 after they beat a determined Tipperary side at Fraher Field on Sunday.

Tipperary and Limerick must meet in the second round of games in this years round robin championship this weekend and on the following weekend, Limerick must travel to a Waterford venue for a third round game where a draw would guarantee Waterford a place in this years final at Castletownroche against the side that wins this weekends game.

Played in a strong wind on Sunday afternoon, it was the home side that emerged as winners of the opening game in this year’s championship with five points to spare.

Tipperary had first use of the strong wind which blew into the road goal but it was Waterford that made the early running hitting points from Mairead Wall and Michelle Ryan inside three minutes of the game starting.

In a game that saw the sides swap the lead a number of times, the visitors were not very long behind as a Gillian O’Brien effort on four minutes was deflected in the direction of Aherlow’s Edel Hanley and she made no mistake in putting the ball past Aimee Jordan from relatively close range.

Waterford hit back with points from Linda Wall and Michelle Ryan to retake the lead but the visitors soon levelled thanks to an Edel Hanley effort. Linda Wall and Gillian O’Brien swapped scores for their respective sides to keep the sides tied at the end of the first quarter.

Tipperary retook the lead through Sheelagh Carew but the very impressive Aileen Wall wasted no time in responding for Waterford.

Points from Jennifer Grant and Edel Hanley were landed for Tipperary before Michelle Ryan halved the visitors lead.

Tipperary when two points in front when Edel Hanley put over a free six minutes from the break and seconds later, Waterford had their numbers temporarily cut when Mary Foley was harshly sin binned.

In the time that remained, with the wind at their backs and with an advantage of numbers on the field, Tipperary pressed at the Waterford defence, retiring at the break with a 1-7 to 0-7 lead after Niamh Lonergan pointed three minutes from the break.

Waterford with the wind at their backs in the second half came out a much more determined side. Early points from Linda Wall, Shona Curran and Michelle McGrath were all landed to level matters once more six minutes after the restart.

Tipperary kicked the next two scores through Edel Hanley and Lorraine O’Shea to retake the lead but Waterford responded with a good score from Linda Wall.

Edel Hanley on the day proved to be one of Tipperary’s most dangerous players, put over another free before Sinead Ryan who impressed immensely in the second half in front of the Tipperary goal put over a point leaving just one between the sides at the end of the third quarter.

Aileen Wall pointed for Waterford on forty-seven minutes and straight away Pat O’Brien sent on Dearbhla Ní hAodha for her championship debut replacing Shona Curran, and the Abbeyside club lady was on the field just seconds when she repaid the fate shown in her by the selectors hitting a goal, the ball creeping to the net between Tipperary goalkeeper Jacquie O’Gorman and her near post as the ball came in from the bank side of the field.

From the restart, Tipperary attacked the Waterford goal and within seconds of Waterford hitting the Tipperary net, the visitors hit the Waterford net the second time this time through Lorraine O’Shea.

Gillian O’Brien kicked a point for Tipperary but in the closing minutes they had to play second fiddle to Waterford who called on the experience amassed in recent years to hit the scores that won them the game.

There was a degree of luck to some of Waterford’s scores in the last few minutes, but as everyone knows, at times it does not matter how they go between the uprights so long as they do.

Linda Wall pointed for Waterford before Sinead Ryan attempted her luck for a goal but Jacquie O’Gorman did well to turn the ball over for a point.

Lorraine O’Shea again pointe for Tipperary to level matters, but with four minutes to play, Waterford ate a huge slice of luck as a Michelle Ryan side line crept all the way to the Tipperary net to give Waterford a three point lead and within seconds, Ann Dunphy pointed to give Waterford a deserved four point lead with time almost up.

Waterford: Aimee Jordan; Mary Foley, Gráinne Enright, Nora Dunphy; Aoife Landers, Ann Dunphy, Louise Ryan; Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power; Linda Wall, Shona Curran, Mairéad Wall;  Aileen Wall, Sinéad Ryan, Michelle Ryan. Subs: Dearbhla Ní hAodha for Shona Curran, Shauna Dunphy for Sinéad Ryan

Scorers: Michelle Ryan 1-3 (1-0 side line, 0-1 free), Linda Wall 0-4, Aileen Wall, Sinead Ryan 0-3 each, Dearbhla Ní hAodha 1-0, Shona Curran, Michelle McGrath, Ann Dunphy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Jackie O’Gorman; Brid Condon, Samantha Lambert, Catriona Walsh; Katie Lyne, Claire Carroll, Barbara Ryan; Jennifer Grant, Sheelagh Carew; Lorraine O’Shea, Mairead Morrissey, Niamh Lonergan; Edel Hanley, Gillian O’Brien, Patricia Hickey. Subs;  Aisling McCarthy for Mairead Morrissey, Orlagh Walsh for Catriona Walsh, Siobhan Condon for Niamh Lonergan, Sarah Everard for Edel Hanley.

Scorers: Edel Hanley 1-4 (0-4 frees), Lorraine O’Shea 1-2, Niamh Lonergan 0-3, Gillian O’Brien 0-1, Jennifer Grant 0-1, Sheelagh Carew 0-1

Pride and place however must go to the counties Under 14 Ladies Football team on retaining the All-Ireland Championship they won twelve months ago, this time beating Westmeath at Crettyard in Co. Laois.

Like so many other games over the past weekend, this game was played with a strong wind blowing.

The Leinster side won the toss and opted to play with the aid of the elements in the first half.

However it was Waterford that got off to the best start as from the throw in Hannah Power played the ball to Katie Duggan for a goal inside forty seconds of the game starting.

Waterford did not have to wait long for their next score. With less than four minutes played Kaiesha Tobin slotted home a penalty with considerable force to give Waterford an early six point lead.

Waterford needed every point of that start as with the wind at their backs, Westmeath attacked the Waterford goal at every chance and kicked a number of points in succession.

Kaiesha Tobin broke Westmeath’s continuous flow of scores with a point on fifteen minutes, but the Midlanders hit back with three points to give them the lead for the first time.

Nine minutes from the break Katie Duggan Sullivan hit a third goal for Waterford but Westmeath struck back with points from Roisin Clinton and Emma Collins to leave the half time score 3-1 to 0-10.

Waterford with the wind at their backs in the second half were superb. The forwards attacked the Waterford goal at every opportunity and hit points from Kaiesha Tobin and Abbie Dunphy.

Further points from Kaiesha Tobin, Katie Duggan Sullivan and Abbie Dalton gave Waterford a five point cushion with the third quarter drawing to a conclusion. However, Westmeath did manage to cut that lead by one when their best player on the day Rebecca Ennis who hit seven of their eleven points shout over their only score of the second half at the mid way point of the half.

Aisling Mullaney pointed for Waterford which was followed by a brace by the impressive Abbie Dalton extended Waterford’s lead to seven and on twenty nine minutes the Na nDéise club player struck a well taken fourth Waterford goal to send the Waterford support present wild.

Waterford rounded off a terrific performance with a point from Kaiesha Tobin, a player with a very bright future ahead of her, to seal Waterford’s win.

After the game, Katie Duggan Sullivan was presented with the winner’s trophy on behalf of the Waterford team and Kaisha Tobin not surprisingly was announced as the player of the Match.

The Waterford panel that put back to back Munster and All-Ireland titles together was; Kelly Tutty, Clodagh Curran, Edwina Curran, Chloe Fennell, Rachel McGuckan, Bronagh Condon, Maeve Ryan, Hannah Power (Old Parish), Hannah Power (St Pats),Aishling Mullaney  Abbie Dunphy, Abbie Dalton, Katie Duggan Sullivan, Kaiesha Tobin, Lia Nic Craith, Shauna McGrath, Becky Hogan, Faye Curley, Niamh Kennedy, Beth Norris, Emma Gildea, Shauna Coakley, Megan Phelan, Niamh Purcell, Emily Frisby, Orna O Brien, Lauren Dunford, Aine Flynn, Aisling Baumann and Sadie May Rowe.