Déise and Rebels to do it all over again.

Cork and Waterford will have to do it all over again after the two sides fought out a 1-21 to 1-21 draw in the first round of this year’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Thurles.

Waterford went into this game very much under the radar having lost their place in the top flight of the National hurling league for 2015 a few weeks back where they will be replaced by Cork who appeared in last years All-Ireland Final.

Many Waterford supporters would have travelled to Thurles more in expectation than anything else, as hearts and heads would have been saying different things, but there was no fear for any such fears amongst the Waterford support as Derek McGrath’s charges played some good hurling and were somewhat unlucky not to have advanced to meet Clare in mid June.

First blood in this game went to Waterford when Pauric Mahony slots over a free from distance, but Cork were not long behind as Patrick Horgan soon level matters from a free.

Pauric Mahony put Waterford’s back in front on four minutes and Brian O’Sullivan extended the Déise lead two minutes later.

Waterford went three in front on nine minutes when Jamie Nagle who impressed throughout put over a point from distance and seconds later Tadhg Bourke playing on the opposite wing back position to the Dungarvan Club man scored a terrific point on his Munster Championship debut.

Cork were in danger of been over run by Waterford and it was important that they did not leave Waterford open too much of a gap so early in the game. Man of the match Alan Cadogan put over a sweet point on 13 minutes which left Cork trailing 0-5 to 0-2.

Pauric Mahony and Seamus Harnedy traded points to keep three between the sides at the end of the first quarter, after which Jake Dillon gave Waterford a four point cushion.

Waterford went five up when Pauric Mahony put over another free on eighteen minute.

Three minutes later a lengthy Waterford injury list grew even longer when Eddie Barrett had to be replaced with a knee injury which early indications indicate that he could miss the replay with Cork on June 8 and possibly even longer.

Aidan Walsh and Pauric Mahony traded points to keep five between the sides, before Alan Cadogan and Jamie Nagle did likewise to keep Waterford in front by five with eight minutes plus stoppage time in the first half still to play.

Patrick Horgan and Austin Gleeson both swapped scores which gave Waterford a 0-11 to 0-6 lead with five plus minutes left on the clock.

Pauric Mahony from a free won by Brian O’Sullivan gave Waterford a double score lead at the end of the regular thirty five minutes, but with three added minutes to play there was still plenty of time for the game to have a different completion going into the second half.

As things happened, both sides added just one more point each in the time that remained. Patrick Horgan put over a close in free which was responded to with an effort from Austin Gleeson which gave Waterford a 0-13 to 0-7 lead at the turn around.

Cork were first off the mark in the second half when Patrick Horgan pointed with a minute of the second half played after some good work by Damien Cahalane in the build up.

Points from Jake Dillon and Conor Lehane in quick succession kept Waterford five in front, but that gap was extended by one when Brian O’Sullivan pointed.

The impressive Alan Cadogan hit his third score of the afternoon ten minutes into the second half to leave five between the sides which was followed with an effort from Patrick Hogan who put over a free he won himself.

On forty-three minutes what appeared to be a controversial call was made which will be remembered by Waterford supporters for some time to come.

Both sides appealed for a side line ball. After getting advice from the referee the linesman indicated that it would be awarded to Cork which angered members of the Waterford management team which were standing close by.

The line ball was poorly struck and was won by Waterford. Austin Gleeson gained control of the ball and went on an amazing solo run down the old stand side of the field before unleashing a bullet of a shot in the direction of Anthony Nash in the Cork goal who was powerless to stopping it going high into his top left hand corner.

There appears to be something about the goal at the Killinen end of the ground. Those of us that are old enough to remember it can still see John Fenton with a ground strike in a Munster Championship game between Cork and Limerick in the mid 80’s and there is also Paul Flynn’s goal against Cork from a free that we all remember. Both were great goals and the Mount Sion mans goal was up there with the two mentioned above. The more you look at it, the better it seems to be.

Shane Walsh pointed for Waterford soon afterwards which gave Waterford a 1-16 to 0-11 lead and when Pauric Mahony put over a free on forty-seven minutes which gave Waterford a nine point lead it looked as though Waterford would be making a trip to Limerick to play All-Ireland Champions Clare in the Munster Semi Final.

But you right off Cork at your pearl. Bill Cooper hit a goal for Cork on forty-eight minutes, tapping in from close range after Stephen O’Keeffe made one of a number of great saves in this game.

With twenty minutes to play, Pauric Mahony pointed again for Waterford after which the Rebels enjoyed a short period of dominance.

Aidan Walsh and Patrick Horgan pointed to reduce Waterford’s lead to five. Pauric Mahony and Patrick Horgan then swapped frees to keep Waterford five up with fifteen minutes to play.

Stephen O’Keeffe again did brilliantly to deny Alan Cadogan putting the ball over the end line for a ’65 which Horgan converted.

Horgan and Cadogan added points for Cork which left them trailing by two with twelve minutes to play and a minute later the gap was down to the minimum after Patrick Horgan dissected the uprights.

Pauric Mahony and Patrick Horgan traded points before Bill Cooper leveled matters with two minutes of normal time to play after he collected a Jamie Coughlan pass.

Shane O’Neill did well to stop Seamus Prendergast from scoring with a minute to go, but the big Ardmore man did get his name on the score sheet a minute later which gave Waterford a one point lead with two added minutes to play.

However, there was to be heartbreak for Waterford as in the closing seconds of the game Cork goalkeeper went down after been challenged while clearing the ball and Brian Gavin while some Waterford supporters would be aggrieved with the call was correct in awarding a free from where the ball landed at the other end of the field and Patrick Horgan made no mistake.

Cork:  A Nash; S O’Neill, D Cahalane, S McDonnell; C Joyce, M Ellis, L McLoughlin; D Kearney, A Walsh; C McCarthy, C Lehane, P Cronin; A Cadogan, S Harnedy, P Horgan. Subs: B Cooper for McCarthy, B Lawton for Kearney, S Moylan for Cronin, J Coughlan for Harnedy.

Scorers: P Horgan 0-12 (8 frees, 1 ’65), A Cadogan 0-4, B Cooper 1-1, A Walsh 0-2,  C Lehane, S Harnedy 0-1 each.

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; N Connors, L Lawlor, B Coughlan; J Nagle, K Moran, T de Búrca; M Walsh, E Barrett; A Gleeson, J Dillon, P Mahony; C Dunford, S Walsh, B O’Sullivan. Subs: R Foley for Barrett, S Fives for Coughlan, R Barry for Dunford, D Breathnach for Dillon, S Prendergast for Walsh.

Scorers: P Mahony 0-11 (9 frees), A Gleeson 1-2, J Nagle B O’Sullivan 0-2 each, T Bourke, J Dillon, S Walsh, S Prendergast 0-1 each

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).

Can Waterford and Cork serve up another classic

The last weekend of May in recent years has come to mean one thing. Munster Championship Hurling is upon us.

 

Waterford drew one of the short straws last October when the draws were made which means that the county are going to be involved in the opening game of the championship.

 

Travelling to Semple Stadium is something that will not worry Waterford. Neither will the fact that the side Waterford are playing is Cork. After all in the past two decades, Waterford has played some of their best hurling at the Temple that is the Home of Hurling and many of these games happened to be against Cork.

 

Many people this year are of the view that Kilkenny are the favourites to win this year's All-Ireland Hurling Championship. I am not going to go against such views. Over the past fifteen years or so, they have proven to be the best side. Players have come into the black and amber jersey and players have gone, but they are still there year in - year out challenging for the Liam McCarthy Cup.

 

Last year they had a blip. They went out of the championship earlier than most would have expected in Leinster and then again on the scenic route to Croke Park.

 

But every team is entitled to such a blip every so often and as we saw already this year, they could well be back to where they believe they belong by winning the League Final against Tipperary.

 

Outside of Kilkenny, many are making Tipperary and Clare the favourites to challenge Kilkenny this year.

 

As much as I would love to say I think it will be Waterford that will challenge hardest, I can't as i feel it will be Cork that will challenge hardest.

 

The Rebels last year may have lost their place in the top flight for this years National Hurling League, just as Waterford did this year for next years league, Cork ended the year playing in Croke Park in an All-Ireland Final and Waterford will have to believe that they can do the same this year.

 

Cork it could be argued were somewhat unlucky not to win the two championship deciders against Clare. In the drawn game they were within seconds of winning the game and in the replay they would have won but for some poor marking which resulted in Clare getting some crucial scores some of which resulted in green flags.

 

Cork down the years has produced some top quality goalkeepers. Many will remember how good Ger Cunningham was. After he left Donal Óg Cusack quickly established himself and when injury forced him to take almost a year away from the game, Anthony Nash came in and established himself so much so that when the Cloyne man was ready to play again, he could not win his place back.

 

He will start between the posts on Sunday for Cork and could prove to be a match winner on either of the field.

 

It appears that Eoin Cadogan is not going to start on Sunday and if this proves to be the way, then who will come in for him and will the team he reshaped as a result. Maybe we could see Aidan Walsh on his return to the Cork Panel win a place.

 

Elsewhere in the backs Shane O'Neill, Stephen McDonnell, William Egan, Christopher Joyce and Damien Cahillane could all feature.

 

In the middle of the field and in attack Cork have plenty of options open to them with Pa Cronin, Daniel Kearney, Lorcan McLaughlin, Patrick Horgan, Conor Lehane, Luke O'Farrell, Jamie Coughlan, Cian McCarthy, Seamus Harnedy, Cathal Naughton who often spare his best performances for when playing Waterford and Paudie O'Sullivan who returns to the Cork panel this year after missing out last year after he picked up a serious injury while playing club hurling would cause most defences problems.

 

Heading into this weekend's game lady luck has not shunned on Waterford when it comes to some players availability.

 

Shane O'Sullivan during the week announced that he would not be appealing his sending off against Dublin in the league.

 

Most would agree that his sending off that day looked harsh and would not have got shown a straight red card in other years but the rules changed for 2014 when it comes to connecting with the helmet and going on available television pictures it would be hard to see the Ballygunner man win his case, even if the contact was minimal.

 

Stephen Daniels is still not available after a year out from the game and he will prove to be a loss. So too will Philip Mahony prove to be a major loss. He had a great opening to the year, but an injury while playing with Ballygunner against Ardmore rules him out of contention for some while to come.

 

At the other end of the field Maurice Shanahan and Stephen Molumphy are also going to be a loss. Jamie Barron is another loss.

 

The Ballyduff Upper man missed all of last year due to work commitments and many were looking forward to see him return to the side this year as many believe of the players that missed out last year from the 2012 panel he was the biggest loss.

 

Shanahan last year was possibly Waterford's best player. Against Clare he was the difference between the sides but when changes were made for the second half he was not as effective. In the game against Offaly his scores in no small part helped Waterford to advance. This year many were looking forward to see how he would have improved over the winter but Injuries over the past few months have restricted the amount of time he has had on the field of play.

 

Despite these losses however, Derek McGrath just like Jimmy Barry-Murphy will have fifteen players on the field against Cork and last night (Tuesday) named a strong side.

 

Stephen O'Keeffe is again between the posts for Waterford. The Ballygunner man is one of the best in the country right now and could well be a main stay in the team for a number of years to come.

 

In front of him Liam Lawlor returns to the team having missed the early part of the year due to injury. After Sean Cullinane retired Waterford tried a number of players in the full back position but could nail the number three shirt to his back. The Fourmilewater man over the past few years has proven to be out best suited to the position and could well be there for some time to come.

 

Either side of him will be Noel Connors and Tadhg de Búrca. The Passage man has established himself as one of the best corner backs around in recent years, while the Clashmore man since he came into the team earlier this year has quickly settled into the team and is keeping his place in the team ahead of more experienced players.

 

Michael Walsh is again at centre back and will have Barry Coughlan and Jamie Nagle either side of him.

 

Some are of the opinion that Kevin Moran should be our centre back this year and some believe that we could see him there yet with possibly other switches in the team involving Barry Coughlan who many see as a player most suited to the full back line swapping with de Búrca who plays his club hurling in the half back line.

 

In the middle of the field there is a De La Salle pairing named of Kevin Moran and Eddie Barrett. This will be Barrett's first championship start for Waterford, one that is well earned as he has really proven himself to be a quality player since coming into the Waterford set up.

 

In attack Pauric Mahony who in the Spring was almost unstoppable starts at centre forward and inside him Shane Walsh will be on the edge of the Cork square.

 

Colin Dunford and Austin Gleeson are named in the team for a championship game for the first time and are both set to start in the half forward line while Brian O'Sullivan and Jake Dillon make up the remainder of the team and are set to start in the corners but maybe we could see some movement amongst the forwards before the game starts.

 

If things were not to go right for Waterford on the day, then Derek McGrath will have a number of options open to him.

 

On the bench he will have the likes of Ian O'Regan, Shane Five who many would have expected to start the game, Richie Foley, Ray Barry, Gavin O'Brien and Seamus Prendergast could all be available to the management in a bid to shake things up.

 

Goals at either end of the field have proven to be a problem for Waterford all year. At one end of the field a large amount have gone in, but maybe with Liam Lawlor back in the side, the back line might be a bit tighter now.

 

At the other end of the field its scoring goals that have proved to be the problem. Not only have Waterford not scored many goals in competitive games, they did not create many goal scoring chances.

 

Six goals were scored in a recent challenge game with Offaly which will give the team confidence they can rattle the Cork net on Sunday, but there is a major difference between scoring in challenge games which are often played minus the services of established players and championship games.

 

Many will be privately thinking Waterford have little hope of beating Cork, but you cant go into any game like that. You always have to believe that you can win.

 

Waterford and Cork have the habit of bringing the best out of each other and although many of the players that were involved in the 'classics' between the sides over the past decade will not be in action this weekend, the players that will be on the field will have seen these games and the players will want to show that they can do what those before them could do.

 

Waterford will believe they can win this weekends game. Not believing they can win would be giving up before the game starts. The fact that Cork will be favourites should be a plus for Waterford. All Waterford teams seem to play at their best when they are the underdog. Hopefully this time will be no different.

 

The winners will be pitted with All-Ireland Champions Clare in the semi final in a few weeks time and they will go into that game as the underdog.

 

Can Waterford beat Cork? That's a silly question to ask. Of course they can. Will Waterford beat Cork? The answer to that I can't be so confident about. The Heart is saying they can, but the head is saying something else. We will have to wait a few more days to see which is correct.

 

Armagh take league title, but the year could end on a high for a promising Waterford side.

The scoreboard showed that Armagh beat Waterford by nine points in this year’s Tesco Homegrown Division Three National Ladies Football Final at Parnell Park last Saturday afternoon, but it could well be argued that the final score gave a false indication as to the difference between the sides.

Described by some as an ‘ill-tempered game’ presumably going on the fact that both sides were to finish the game with thirteen players, this in fact was not a dirty game.

The cause of three players not finishing the game was down to the fact that players picked up yellow cards inside the last ten minutes of the game for something that would be described in the men’s game as a technical foul. The difference between the two games however when such a foul happens is that in the men’s game you are banished to the stand and can be replaced by a player who is already in the stand, while in the lady’s game a player is sin-binned for ten minutes and cannot be replaced, something I feel that GAA should have looked at instead of introducing black cards for this years league and championship.

While Waterford will be disappointed with the final outcome of the game, they will know that on another day, the outcome could be much different.

Waterford hit a tally of eight wide’s in the first half and in the second half missed a penalty. Throughout the game the ball found a way of not hitting the Armagh net, while Armagh’s goal while well taken, it could be described as somewhat fortunate as it came about as a result of Armagh intercepting the ball while the Waterford backs were attempting to play the ball out of defence.

However, while Waterford will have been disappointed with the final result, the side can take a lot of hope from the game as they head into the championship. Armagh were the best side in the division three league, but Pat O’Brien and his charges will know that they cannot meet in a competitive game for the remainder of the year as the Orchard County side are playing in the senior grade while Waterford are an Intermediate side.

For the league this year Waterford brought some new players into the panel and it is very obvious that they are not out of their debt playing at this level of football. While it is not always right to signal some players out over others, it is very obvious that players like Liz Devine, Megan O’Connor and Shauna Dunphy have made a big impact so far this year and they could make an even bigger impact come championship time.

It was also great to see Grainne Kenneally back in the Waterford colours this year in the latter stages of the league after a year away from the game.

When it comes to Players of the Match awards, how much thought goes into the picking of them is something that is a little puzzling. Sometimes it would appear that it goes on statistics and the player that scores the most for the winning team is often the winner. Sometimes you have to wonder how much work rate goes into the picking of the award, and if it was to be a factor, then in my view the Ballyduff Club player would have won the official player of the game award on Saturday last, something I tweeted with some ten minutes of the game left to play as I was hugely impressed with her work rate.

On Saturday last it was also great to see Grainne Enright back in the full back line for Waterford. Earlier this year the Abbeyside player had announced that she was retiring from the inter county game, but thankfully she has since had a change of heart and her experience could prove hugely important to the younger players coming through within the panel.

Waterford made all the running in the early stages of the game but the ball refused to go between the uprights as much as Waterford tried. It was not till ten minutes into the game that the first score was registered when Michelle Ryan put over a close in free which was won after a Michelle McGrath ’45 dropped short.

After this Armagh enjoyed a period of dominance as Lauren McConville, Mags McAlinden and Finnuala McKenna from a free all raised white flags.

Liz Devine pulled a point back for Waterford on seventeen minutes to leave just one between the sides. Waterford continued to press hard to draw level with Grainne Kenneally and Aileen Wall playing vital roles for the Déise ladies, but the chances that did come Waterford’s way did not result in scores, often down to pressure put on the Waterford forwards when shooting by the Armagh backs.

Armagh however were to finish the half the stronger of the two sides and went to the dressing rooms holding a 1-6 to 0-2 advantage.

Kelly Mallon was found with a short Caroline O’Hanlon ’45 and the Armagh Harps Club player made no mistake, which was followed with a Finnuala McKenna point.

Caoimhe Morgan did brilliant to deny the impressive Hannah Landers a good goal scoring opportunity and from the rebound Shona Curran saw were shot go just wide of Katie Daly’s left hand post.

At the other end of the field with first half time ticking down, Lauren McConville incepted a ball that Waterford were attempting to play out of defence and played a one-two with Mags McAlinden before finishing past Aimee Jordan in the Waterford goal and just as the buzzer was about to sound, Siobhan Mackle who surprisingly did not start the game but who came on in the first half as a sub put over the first of her three points to give her side a seven point advantage at the break soon after coming on.

Armagh at the start of the second half continued where they left off at the end of the first half with Lauren McConville, Finnuala McKenna, Aoife McCoy and McKenna again kicked points with Waterford’s sole reply coming from a Michelle Ryan free.

Shauna Dunphy came on for Waterford on thirty-six minutes replacing Liz Devine and made a huge impact. She was a constant thorn in the side of the Armagh defence and is a player that we could well see a lot more of later this year.

The Comeragh Rangers player was quick to react when Shona Curran’s goal attempt came back off the foot of the posts and the teenager made no mistake when attempting to beat Katie Daly with the second attempt.

Armagh now lead 1-10 to 1-3 but for the next while, Waterford were on top once more. Shona Curran pointed to leave six between the sides and when Waterford won a penalty after Shauna Dunphy was hacked to the ground it looked as though Waterford could well imply misery for the second year in a row on Armagh in the league final, but Michelle Ryan saw her effort shave the outside of Katie Daly’s left hand post.

Hannah Landers did manage to reduce the difference on the scoreboard to five soon afterwards, but this was to prove to be the sides last score of the game.

In the closing minutes Waterford lost Grainne Kenneally and Shona Curran to yellow cards while Armagh’s Sarah Marley was to suffer the same fete while the Orchard County side also had Kelly Mallon ordered off on a straight red card by Wexford referee Mags Doherty.

Armagh finished the game the stronger of the two sides as Kelly Mallon, Finnuala McKenna and a brace from Siobhan Mackle in the closing minutes of the game helped Armagh to a nine point win, but I am convinced on another day and with lady luck which appeared to elude Waterford on Saturday afternoon the result could be so much different.

ARMAGH: Katie Daly; Mairead Tennyson, Caoimhe Morgan, Sarah Marley; Marian McGuinness, Niamh Marley, Sharon Reel; Caitlin Malone, Caroline O'Hanlon); Niamh Henderson, Finnuala McKenna, Aoife McCoy; Lauren McConville, Kelly Mallon, Mags McAlinden Subs: Siobhan Mackle for Caitlin Malone (28), Shauna Grey for Marian McGuinness (38), Louise Kenny for Mags McAlinden (45).

Scorers: Lauren McConville 1-2, Finnuala McKenna 0-5 (2f), Siobhan Mackle 0-3, Kelly Mallon 0-2, Mags McAlinden, Aoife McCoy 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: Aimee Jordan; Nora Dunphy, Grainne Enright, Mary Foley; Shona Curran, Karen McGrath, Grainne Kenneally; Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power; Linda Wall, Michelle Ryan, Mairead Wall; Aileen Wall, Mags Revins, Liz Devine Subs: Hannah Landers for Mags Revins (19), Shauna Dunphy for Liz Devine (36).

Scorers: Shauna Dunphy 1-0, Michelle Ryan 0-2 (2f), Shona Curran, Hannah Landers, Liz Devine 0-1 each.

REFEREE: Mags Doherty (Wexford)

Lismore and Saint Anne's set for another big final.

“Time flies when you are enjoying yourself”, so I was told in my school days at Saint Anne’s in Cappoquin over twenty years ago. I can’t remember which one it was for certain, but it was almost certain to my Geography and English teacher for my leaving cert, P.J. Dolan who one day must have spotted me in my usual position in the back row of the classroom and in the corner and wishing I was someplace else.

For me at times the past six months have seemed like six years at time, but at the same time, its hard to believe that it is one week short of twelve months that I reported on here on Lismore retaining the County Senior Camogie League, the prize for which is the Denny Buckley Cup, beating their arch rivals Saint Anne’s at Fraher Field.

Since then as we all know a lot of water has flown under the bridge.

Lismore went on to win the County Senior Championship Final against Saint Anne’s in Lemybrien. They added the Munster Intermediate title to their roll of honour later in the year beating Newmarket-on-Fergus from Clare after a replay and then after another replay beat Kilkenny side Ballyhale-Shamrocks in the Intermediate All-Ireland Final in Clonmel after the sides drew two weeks earlier in Croke Park.

For Saint Anne’s despite defeat to Lismore in last years County Senior League Final and in the County Senior Championship Final, some progress has been made. Late in the year they won the Minor ‘A’ Championship beating Cappoquin in the final, with a team that contains some fine up and coming players.

The fact that the two are meeting in this Sunday Evening’s League Final at Lemybrien is hardly surprizing. The two are with the past few years are the best two sides in the county, but how long more this can be said remains to be seen as hot on their heels are some excellent underage teams with some brilliant players who will once they are called into their number one adult team at club level, with fit in easily and will strengthen them as a unit.

Over the past few years, clashes between the two have become must not miss affairs. There have been some closely fought games where the outcome was in doubt right to the end.

In 2012, Lismore captured the first final where the Denny Buckley Cup was played for with his daughter Laura as captain. Later in the year the two sides clashed in the championship decider at Ardmore where Saint Anne’s came out on top.

Saint Anne’s went on to compete in the Munster Intermediate Championship but were unlucky to loose the Munster Final against Kilmaley for Clare in Lattin/Cullen after beating Tipperary side Moycarkey/Borris in the semi finals.

Twelve months ago, the league final between the two sides again at Fraher Field again proved to be a close affair with Lismore again coming out on top with a small margin to spare.

When the sides clashed in the autumn at Lemybrien, it looked as though Saint Anne’s would retain their county championship title as for much of the first half they looked to be the better of the sides, but two goals one either side of the break from Shona Curran and Sinead Walsh proved to be the difference between the sides as Lismore went on to win the game 2-15 to 0-15.

There is something telling me that that latest battle between the two sides will be as equally as close as the last four big games between the sides.

Lismore will go into the game as the favourites. After all, they only won an All-Ireland Club final a few weeks back.

 

But there might be no better team than Saint Anne’s to knock back a peg or two, its something every one loves to do. I am sure that there is some that will tell you despite drawing the Munster and All-Ireland finals Saint Anne’s were possibly the toughest teams they played over the past twelve months. Had Lismore not got them two crucial goals either side of the break in Lemybrien, would we be talking about Saint Anne’s going all the way to be Ballyhale Shamrocks. We can never say for sure, but maybe we just might. People often remember the first team to beat a championship winning team as much as they remember the side for winning side.

Saint Anne’s have some excellent players to choose from for this weekend’s final.

Rebecca Kavanagh was part of the Waterford Intermediate Panel for the League recently, haven been called up by new Waterford manager Niall O’Donnell. Pauline Cunningham, Charlotte Raher, Claire Whyte, Jennie Simpson, Mairead Murphy, Sinead Cummins, Karen Kelly and Zoe O’Donoghue all have played for the county over the past few years and know what it takes to come out on top in the big games.

Coming through they have some up and coming players in the likes of Labhaoise Dunbar who captained Waterford recently in the Minor All-Ireland ‘B’ Final against Derry recently as well as Bronwyn Grace and Sibeal Harney who would not be out of place if they were all given the nod to start the game.

If Saint Anne’s has some good players then so too have Lismore.

We all know about the likes of Aisling O’Brien, Marie Russell, Caitriona McGlone, Shona Curran, Nicola Morrissey, Grainne Kenneally, Laura Buckley etc. with some time but those that may not be aware of the quality of players we have in the county will have learned about the likes of Ruth Geoghegan, Aoife Hannon as well as Aoife and Johanna Houlihan etc. over the past few months, while we could also see Niamh Molumphy back in the team again this year after missing the majority of the past twelve months.

The game in Lemybrien on Sunday evening has a 5pm throw-in. If someone is looking for something to do, they could do worse than to go along and see the game. For those that have not seen camogie played in a long while or maybe have never seen the game played at all, they could find themselves pleasantly surprized with the standard of play that they will see.

Normally, finishing the preview of a game on here I like to make a prediction as to what way a game will go, but for this game, I think I will sit on the fence. To me it’s too close to call. It is certainly one of these games that can truly go one way or the other. Whether Lismore win the Denny Buckley Cup for the third time or Saint Anne’s for the first, one thing I expect is that not much will separate the sides. Maybe they will give supporters of both sides a second day out. They have come close to doing so in the recent past. Surely it’s only a matter of time before they do.

 

Waterford and Armagh both go in search of promotion and league title.

On April 6, Waterford and Armagh met in the last round of games in this year’s Ladies National Football League in Ardmore, the first time the two sides had clashed since the Orchard County beat the Déise County in the 2012 All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final at Croke Park.

In that last meeting victory as it did in October 2012 went to the Ulster Side.

Both sides went into the game in good form, even if Waterford had lost an earlier game to Sligo.

At the break, Waterford trailed 1-7 to 1-2 but they had played against the elements which at the Ardmore venue can be very testing at times.

The indications were good for Waterford for the second thirty minutes. Five points at times might appear a lot at times, but if the breeze blows in from the sea at the scenic grounds in Ardmore, then five points could well appear to be a very small margin.

But in the second thirty minutes, Waterford added just three points, a tally bettered by two by the Ulster side, who also struck for five goals in the second half.

What happened that day will be forgotten about when the two sides clash at Parnell Park in this years Division Three decider on Saturday.

No doubt someone at some stage, be it on the journey to the Capital on Saturday morning or in the dressing room will echo words that often have come from the lips of former Ladies Football and Senior Hurling manager Michael Ryan. The Ballymacarbry man who led sides to so many successes in the past at County and Club level has often said that if you look at the score board at the start of the game it reads “zero, zero to zero, zero”.

The result of the games in the last two games between the sides will be confined to the pages of history. This weekend’s game is a new one. The Ulster side will go into the game as favourite’s but Waterford will have to go into the game believing that they can make it third time lucky against the Ulster side.

Twelve months ago, Armagh were also involved in the final where they took on fellow ulster side Down.

The 2012 All-Ireland Champions who ran an all-conquering Cork side close in the senior championship last year were the raging hot favourites to win, and they did start well, going 0-6 to 0-1 up inside thirteen minutes of the game starting. That was how the half would finish as in the last seventeen minutes neither side added any further scores in what was a free ridden game.

And when the Orchard County side came out for the second half kicking the first two scores of the half it certainly did look good for them.

But there was a twist in the story and as we all know only too well, no game is over till the referee sounds the final whistle. No matter how far you are behind, if you keep trying hard and you keep believing anything could happen.

With eleven minutes to go, Sinead McNamee picked out Kyla Trainor for a goal. The same player had rattled the Armagh net after ten minutes of the first half but the score was ruled out as the referee indicated that he had blown up the play to award Down a free in.

And Down would add a second goal six minutes after they hit their first, Sinead McNamee again played a major part, this time picking out Hazel Jordan to beat Katie Daly.

Down won the game 2-6 to 0-11 despite Armagh going into the game as the favourite’s and Waterford will like Down have to believe that they too can confine Armagh to another year in Division Three in the League.

Armagh will go into this weekend’s final with a perfect record, winning the eight games they have played to reach the final. Some of these games were won easily but along the way they also had to dig deep to win, most notably against Tipperary and Sligo.

Waterford finished second in the league table, loosing to Sligo and Armagh. Like Armagh they had to dig deep in order to get a result against Tipperary and they had to repeat the act when Leitrim visited Fraher Field in the penultimate round of games in the league section of the competition.

The two semi finals recently proved to be contrasting affairs.

Armagh put 9-15 past Tipperary in Dublin, with the Premier County registering just two points, but this is a game that is best forgotten about. Armagh will have learned little or nothing from the game. The score line is a false one. When the sides clashed earlier in the year at Grangemockler, just two points separated the sides. But in between the two games, problems have arisen in Tipperary, ones which hopefully will be resolved sooner rather than later, as Tipperary are a good side, borne out by the fact they finished 2013 playing in Croke Park.

Waterford on the other hand had a tough game with Leitrim at Birr, something that should stand to Waterford in the long run.

For much of the game it looked as though the side from the Western Province would advance to this weekends final, but in the second half not only having s strong fifteen to start with, Pat O’Brien showed he also has strong reserves, as those he sent into the game to freshen things up played a major roll as the side hit a number of late scores to see them past the finish line with a little to spare.

Both sides have some devastating forwards. In their eight games, Armagh has averaged just over 27 points in their eight games while Waterford has averaged just over 21. Both sides clearly know where the posts are so this is a game that could well be won in defence more than attack. The defensive unit that holds strongest could well comes out on top.

Both sides have named strong teams for this weekend’s game.

For Armagh Katie Daly is named between the posts. The full back line is as it has been for much of the same as Mairead Tennyson, Caoimhe Morgan and Sarah Marley line out in front of goal.

In the half back line Sharon Reel who has played much of her side’s games this year misses out and is replaced by Marian McGuinness at wing back but Niamh Marley and Niamh Henderson who are regulars all year both start.

In the middle of the field Caitlin Malone is Caroline O’Hanlon’s partner. O’Hanlon is the counties top player all year and has struck ten goals and seventeen points in the six games she has played.

In attack there is a bit of a surprise with the omission of Siobhan Mackle. When the two sides clashed at Ardmore she hit three goals and has hit 4-9 so far this year. Her place in attack goes to Sinead McCleary who played much of her side’s games in the middle of the field this year.

The rest of the forward line is along with familiar lines as Finnuala McKenna who has hit 4-42 for Armagh this year starts at centre forward with Aoife McCoy who hit 5-9 so far for Armagh playing on the opposite wing to McCleary.

The inside forward line sees Kelly Mallon start at full forward with Lauren McConville the scorer of 1-14 so far in an Orange jersey this year and Mags McAlinden who has scored 4-5 which includes 3-3 against Tipperary starting in the number fifteen position.

If Armagh have named a strong starting fifteen, so do has Waterford manager Pat O’Brien.

Regular goalkeeper Aimee Jordan is once again between the posts.

Grainne Enright who recently returned to the panel is set to start at full back ab will be flanked by Nora Dunphy and Mary Foley who has played in the corner back positions for much of the league this year.

Karen McGrath who is having an impressive year with Waterford again starts at centre back and will be flanked by Róisín Tobin and Grainne Kenneally who is again in contention for a place after her efforts in helping Lismore win their recent All-Ireland Club final.

Michelle McGrath and Elaine Power are again in the middle of their field and their experience their will be vital to curb the danger that Caroline O’Hanlon posses to the Waterford defence.

In attack Waterford are just as clinical as Armagh are.

Linda Wall has hit 3-15 so far for Waterford. Michelle Ryan is the side’s top scorer. She will again start at centre forward. She is the only Waterford player to score in every game of the league hitting 5-29. On the opposite wing to Linda Wall will be her sister Mairead who has raised three umpire flags this year. She has been involved in many of Waterford’s scores this year and if the needs arise she could head back into her own half of the field and play in defence.

In the full forward line, Mags Revins has proven to be a thorn in the side of a number of sides this year. She is possibly Waterford’s best full forward since the deadly Áine Wall in the 90’s. The Old Parish Club Player has hit 7-8 so far this year and will be looking to add to it here.

She will again have Aileen Wall along side her. The Ballymacarbry club player is another that is in fine form this year hitting 3-12 while Liz Devine one of a number of young players brought into the team this year by Pat O’Brien completes the named starting fifteen.

Of course no side is complete without back up and the players picked to wear the shirt numbers from number 16 up will play a vital part in this game.

For Armagh Sharon Reel, Siobhán Mackle and Caoimhe Murray will be disappointed not getting the nod to start. They however are likely to play a part in the game. The question is from what point. If this was a men’s game and with the way teams are announced and the way they start, I would be suggesting that at least two could well be starting the game this weekend. Could we see a trend starting in Ladies Football where one team is handed in for the programme but it lines out differently? We will know at 12-15pm on Saturday.

For Waterford, a number of players will be very disappointed not to be starting. Louise Ryan has started all games for Waterford this year up to now. Ciara Dunphy has started the majority of the games as well. So too has Hannah Landers. Shona Curran is a very experienced player and would add a great deal of physicality to the team.  Shauna Dunphy hit some crucial late scores to help beat Leitrim in the semi final. These and others would have liked to start this weekend, but they will be the first to admit management is a tough job and they can only start with fifteen players. We have seen Waterford subs make an impact a number of times this year and no doubt we will see it happen again not just this weekend but again later in the year when the championship begins.

Armagh will go into this game as the favourites. I have no doubt some bookies will take a few euro on them to win the game, but it would not surprise me if Waterford were to put a smile on the faces of the bookies. We all know Waterford can often play best when not given a chance. Waterford will only have to look at Down in last years league final, to the Waterford minors during the week when many would have predicted they would not be able to keep the ball kicked out to a fancied Cork side, yet they kept them to within six points and at a penalty saved.

Paths to the Final:

Round 1               Armagh                                3-11       Longford              1-8

Round 2               Armagh                                1-12       Tipperary             2-7

Round 3               Armagh                                3-23       Wexford              1-5

Round 4               Armagh                                3-14       Offaly                    0-3

Round 5               Armagh                                6-18       Leitrim                  0-6

Round 6               Armagh                                4-9          Sligo                     3-10

Round 7               Armagh                                6-12       Waterford           1-5

Semi Final            Armagh                                9-15       Tipperary             0-2

 

Scorers:                Finnuala McKenna 4-42 (54), Caroline O’Hanlon 10-17 (47), Aoife McCoy 5-9 (24), Siobhan Mackle 4-9 (21), Lauren McConville 1-14 (17), Mags McAlinden 4-5 (17), Kelly Mallon 2-4 (10), Caoimhe Murray 2-3 (9), Marian McGuinness 1-3 (6), Niamh Henderson 0-3 (3), Sinead McCleary 0-2 (2), Mairead Tennyson 0-1 (1),

 

Round 1               Waterford           3-14       Offaly                    1-5

Round 2               Waterford           5-15       Wexford              1-9

Round 3               Waterford           2-8          Tipperary             1-10

Round 4               Waterford           6-15       Longford              0-5

Round 5               Waterford           1-9          Sligo                       1-15

Round 6               Waterford           6-8          Leitrim                  3-8

Round 7               Waterford           1-5          Armagh                6-12

Semi Final            Waterford           3-14       Leitrim                  1-13

 

Scorers:                Michelle Ryan 5-29 (44), Mags Revins 7-8 (29), Linda Wall 3-15 (24), Hannah Landers 5-9 (24), Aileen Wall 3-12 (21), Shauna Dunphy 2-1 (7), Liz Devine 1-1 (4), Elaine Power 0-3 (3), Mairead Wall 0-3 (3), Aimee Jordan 1-0 (3), Michelle McGrath 0-2 (2), Lauren McGregor 0-1 (1), Roisin Tobin 0-1 (1), Louise Ryan 0-1 (1), Shona Curran 0-1 (1).