Camogie in Waterford during 2014 - Part 3

And so we reach the last part of a review dealing with inter county teams.

Really there is only one place you can start and that is with the Under 16 team.

Twelve months ago Waterford reached the All-Ireland ‘B’ Final at this grade, loosing to Cork, while in the Munster Championship they beat the Rebels.

With many of that panel again available in 2014, Waterford were always going to be one of the front runners to again win silverware at Provincial level and to go a step further in the All-Ireland Championship.

Played in Cashel, Waterford retained their provincial title against Cork on a 1-11 to 0-5 score line.

Waterford got off to a great start in this game as Anne Corcoran finished to the net in a goalmouth scramble with just two minutes played.

Waterford’s great start gave the side great confidence. The outstanding Beth Carton in the first half slotted over seven points and team captain Aisling Power also got her name on the score sheet which gave Waterford a 1-9 to 0-2 advantage at the break.

Cork came out for the second half with a little more fire in the belly, but they relied on Rachel McNamara and Nora O’Riordan for scores mostly from frees.

Cork hit three scores in the second half but it was goals that they needed and against a strong Waterford back line they were going to be hard come by.

Playing against the elements in the second half, Waterford found scores hard to come by, hitting just two points both Beth Carton frees after fouls on Sally Brown and Kate McMahon.

After winning the Munster Championship, no further competitive inter county games were played till after the Junior Cert at the end of June.

Waterford began the All-Ireland Championship with a clinical performance against Cork at Walsh Park, running out 5-15 to 0-10 winners.

On the day Waterford had some fine performance right around the field.

Galltir’s Anne Corcoran hit a first half hat-trick and top scorer on the day Beth Carton who finished the game with 2-10.

A good start they say is half the work and after that win over Cork, Waterford went on to beat Antrim 7-12 to 3-9 at Donaghmore and a week later at the same venue they beat Derry 4-13 to 4-8. Waterford rounded off the league section of the competition with a 3-16 to 0-6 win over Tipperary at The Ragg.

Four wins from four games meant Waterford topped the group with Derry finishing two points behind followed by Cork, Antrim and Tipperary propping up the group without collecting any league points.

On the other side of the draw, four teams competed.

Dublin topped the group with maximum points from their three games with Down two points behind. Armagh finished third as a result of their win over winless Meath.

The draw saw Waterford take on Down in the semi finals and Derry paired with Dublin.

In the two semi finals there were easy wins for the two sides that emerged from the five team group as Derry beat Dublin 7-12 to 3-8 while Waterford had a massive 10-14 to 0-4 win over Down.

The final against Derry was played at Leixlip almost four months on from when the same two counties contested the Minor ‘B’ Final, a game as we all know was won by Waterford.

Able to call upon nine members of the panel that were beaten in the final twelve months earlier this game was one of the few occasions that I did not have a feeling that the looser of the first game between the two sides would win. Experience and hunger was always going to be a telling factor for Waterford.

Derry were quickest to settle hitting a point from Faoiltiama Burke and then a Niamh Gallagher goaled to give them a 1-1 to no score advantage with just four minutes on the clock.

You can always tell how good a side is after they concede a goal and Waterford responded very impressively.

Beth Carton hit a hat-trick of points and Aisling Power hit a brace to give Waterford the lead.

Derry hit back with a second goal through Claire Mulholland and now Waterford had to show again what they were made from. Could they strike back at Derry?

Beth Carton sent the umpire reaching for a green flag for the first time in the game to give Waterford a 1-5 to 2-1 lead.

Meabh McGill and Dara McGuckin hit points for Derry to give them the lead once more but Beth Carton levelled matters just before the break with another point for Waterford, her fourth of the game.

Having served up an even first half, those expecting the same in the second half would be left disappointed.

The second half was all one way traffic as Waterford controlled from start to finish.

Leading scorer Beth Carton hit a further six points to her first half tally. Team captain Aisling Power in the second half would three further points. Kate McMahon and Anne Corcoran would also hit second half points.

They say goals win games and they certainly did here.

Beth Carton hit a second goal for Waterford five minutes after the restart.

Kate McGrath set up Niamh Murphy for a third Waterford goal and the same player would hit her second and Waterford’s fourth goal soon afterwards when she was set up by Anne Corcoran.

Some were wondering having struck four goals would Waterford ease up on the Northern side in the time that remained.

The side in white and blue would hit two more goals through Kate McGrath and Cappoquin’s Róisín Uniacke who replaced Aoife Shanahan hit Waterford fifth and sixth goals to give their side an unassailable lead.

A third goal would go past Waterford late in the game but Jackie Donnelly’s effort was too little too late. There was no way her side were going to be able to serve up a late come back, as Waterford ran out 6-17 to 3-5 winners.

For the record Waterford’s panel which won Munster and All-Ireland under 16 titles in 2014 was; Brianna O' Regan (De La Salle), Sinéad O' Brien (Cappoquin), Laura Murray (Cappoquin), Aoife Shanahan (Butlerstown), Caoimhe Drohan (De La Salle), Courtney Healy (De La Salle), Saoirse Bonner (St Annes), Megan Dunford (Brickey Rangers), Sibeal Harney (St Annes), Kate McGrath (Brickey Rangers), Beth Carton (De La Salle), Aisling Power (Cappoquin), Niamh Murphy (De La Salle), Kate McMahon (Butlerstown), Anne Corcoran (Gaultier), Clodagh Galvin (Cappoquin), Sinead Cunningham (Gaultier), Roisin Uniacke(Cappoquin), Collette Hogan (De La Salle), Taylor Healy (De La Salle), Rachel McDonald (St Annes), Sharon Williams (Lismore), Saoirse English (Tramore), Catherine Murray (Dungarvan), Roisin Oates (Ferrybank), Sally Brown (Butlerstown), Chloe Dempsey (De La Salle) and Ellen Curran (Lismore)​.

At under 14 level Waterford made it a hat-trick of titles at this level winning the All-Ireland blitz for the third year in a row in Dublin.

Waterford’s first game in the blitz was against Dublin ‘B’ and resulted in a 2-6 to 0-1 win for the side coached by Orla Fitzgerald, Gail Fitzgerald and Sean Fleming.

Waterford’s second game was against Down and again resulted in a Waterford win this time on a 2-9 to 1-2 score line.

Waterford kept their winning run in the competition with wins in their remaining games over Clare ‘B’ and Limerick ‘B’ both on a 1-4 to 0-1 score line.

In the semi final Waterford proved too strong for. Waterford won the game 3-4 to 2-1 and in the final they again proved too strong for Dublin winning this time on 2-9 to 0-3 score line.

Waterford’s victorious under 14 panel was as follows: Abbie Flynn (De La Salle), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle), Katie O’Keeffe (De La Salle), Aisling Madigan (De La Salle),Mary Kiely (Brickey Rangers), Caira Kilcawley (Brickey Rangers), Aoife Hahessy (Clonea), Keeley Corbett Barry (Clonea), Aisling Baumann (Dungarvan), Alix Fitzgerald (Dungarvan), Kaiesha Tobin (Dungarvan), Clodagh Carroll (Gaultier), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gaultier), Annie Fitzgerald (Gaultier), Shauna Fitzgerald (Gaultier) Captain, , Emma Flynn (Gaultier), Kate Lynch (Gaultier), Ciara O'Sullivan (Gaultier), Leah Sheridan (Gaultier), Mary Kate Curran (Modeligo), Mary O’Brien (Lismore), Aoife Fleming (St Molleran’s), Emma Norris (St Molleran’s), Leah Barry (Tramore), Muireann Cuddihy  (Tramore), Ciara Griffin (Tramore), Sally Kelly (Tramore).

And so back to Waterford’s Intermediate panel. In the championship having reached the All-Ireland semi finals in both 2012 and 2013, the hopes were there that Waterford could go that step further in 2014.

Waterford began the championship well with a win over Meath at Rathmoylan.

Just two points separated the sides at the end of the hour in a game that proved to be a game of two halves.

Karen Kelly opened the scoring for Waterford on five minutes. Jane Dolan followed up with a point for Meath before Nicola Morrissey and Niamh Rockett landed points for Waterford.

Karen Kelly hit a goal for Waterford after good work by Niamh Rockett after which Trish Jackman pointed to give Waterford a 1-4 to 0-1 lead midway through the first half.

Dolan landed a second point soon afterwards but Waterford would finish the half strong with Karen Kelly and Trish Jackman hitting points and Nicola Morrissey then pointed to give Waterford a 1-7 to 0-2 lead at the break. Waterford however were unlucky not to be even further in front as an unfavourable bounce of the ball cost Shona Curran what could have been an excellent goal.

The home side proved to be the stronger of the sides in the second half. Jane Dolan hit 1-2 within minutes of the restart and Aoife McGuire pointed from play and Dolan scored again to leave the minimum between the sides.

A converted Trish Jackman ’45 steadied the ship for Waterford but it was followed by another Jane Dolan point to leave one between the sides again. A late Trish Jackman free however sailed between the uprights to give Waterford a deserved 1-9 to 1-7 victory.

It was Cork next for Waterford at Carriganore where Waterford made it two wins from two games.

Like so many of Waterford’s games in 2014 this was a game of two halves. The first was an even encounter but the second was all one way traffic.

Both sides registered early scores. Lorraine Bray and Nicola Morrissey hit scores for Waterford, Amanda O’Regan and Katelyn Hickey did so for Cork.

Trish Jackman hit a point for Waterford but it was followed by a Cork goal from Collette Desmond on twelve minutes which gave Cork a four point lead.

That goal was cancelled out when Trish Jackman hammered a 20 metre free to the net after a foul on Niamh Rockett to level matters. The same player previously put over a free.

Waterford began to up their game after this and with Charlotte Raher, Shona Curran and Sinead Cummins working hard in and around the middle of the field when the latter found Karen Kelly she blasted to the net, a just reward for the effort Waterford were putting in.

In the second half, Waterford continued to dominate and hit two further goals. Nicola Morrissey finished to the net when she tapped over the line in a goal mouth scramble and Lorraine Bray set up by the impressive Sinead Cummins hit Waterford’s fourth goal.

So impressive were Waterford in the second half that the Waterford selectors were able to empty their bench amongst those that came on included Iona Heffernan for her Championship debut for Waterford.

The home side ran out 4-13 to 2-8 winners.

Waterford however were not able to make it three wins from three as Kilkenny proved too strong at Callan, winning 2-9 to 1-6.

The first half was played in a heavy rain and a strong wind at Kilkenny’s backs.

Waterford however despite the conditions competed well in the first half but were unable to get that all important touch to create the scores for their efforts.

After twenty minutes Waterford trailed 1-7 to no score ant it could have been worse but for a fine save by Becky Kavanagh in the Waterford goal to deny Kilkenny.

Waterford continued however to work hard and when the rain stopped and the wind died down for the closing minutes of the half Waterford were able to tag on some scores for their efforts.

Trish Jackman played in Shona Curran for Waterford’s first score. The Gailltir sharp shooter followed up with a brace of points and Nicola Morrissey added another score before the turn around to give Waterford hope going into the second half.

Waterford further cut the Kilkenny lead with a converted Trish Jackman ’45 early in the second half, but this was to prove as good as it would get for Waterford on the score board.

The home side added 1-2 and while Trish Jackman and Emma Hannon landed late scores for Waterford they were unable to eat any further into the lead the home side had build up.

Kilkenny ran out winners 2-9 to 1-6 which secured their place in the semi finals of the championship.

Waterford would join Kilkenny in the semi finals when they outscored Wexford at Fraher Field on a 1-13 to 0-4 score line.

Waterford opened brightly against the Model County but were not able to show their supremacy on the score board, shooting five early wide’s.

Nicola Morrissey opened Waterford’s account on 12 minutes after she was set up by Shona Curran. Wexford would follow up with a brace of scores but after Trish Jackman landed a brace of scores to put Waterford back in front, they would never fall behind again.

Further scores would follow from Shona Curran and Karen Kelly, one of which the visitors cancelled out which gave Waterford a 0-5 to 0-3 advantage at the break.

Waterford came out strong in the second half. Trish Jackman put over a free after a foul on Ruth Geoghegan. Shona Curran was unlucky not to score a goal when she was put through by Lorraine Bray. The Lismore player saw her effort put out for a ’45 from which Waterford would make no mistake from.

Waterford were now playing some good Camogie and the side did not have to wait long more for the games only goal which was scored by Lorrain Bray who finished off an excellent move by the Waterford team.

Waterford had further scores from Fiona Morrissey, Nicola Morrissey, Trish Jackman and Emma Hannon to give their side a healthy lead.

The win over Wexford coupled with Meath loosing to Cork meant that Waterford were in the semi finals of the championship for the third year in a row, but lady luck was not on Waterford’s side as they drew the short straw having to play a strong Limerick side in the semi finals at Carlow.

Waterford always knew the battle with Limerick was going to be tough. When the sides clashed in the championship a year earlier on what proved to be the hottest day of the year and after a long trip on a bus into West Limerick, the home side ran out winners.

Limerick also competed in Division One in the league which would also be a help as they had experience playing against players who were playing against some of the strongest in the country earlier in the league.

Galway, Clare and Limerick all finished level on points in the group and a series of play offs were needed to decide which two of the three would advance to the semi finals. For Limerick however there would be disappointment as it was they that missed out in the play offs. But they made up for that loss by sailing through the group section of the championship finishing with just short of a plus 80 score difference.

Waterford started the game very brightly racing into a three point lead with ten minutes on the clock courtesy of a brace of Caitriona McGlone points and one from Karen Kelly.

Waterford would hit another three points in the first half from the sticks of Karen Kelly and Lorraine Bray.

Limerick however would keep in touch, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Niamh Mulcahy who on the day was brilliant for the Treaty girls, who turned around trailing 0-6 to 0-3.

Limerick in the second half proved to be the better of the sides and by the 40^th minute they were level with Waterford again with Niamh Mulcahy playing a huge roll.

Limerick were now on a high and they hit the next three scores to go nine points to six in front, but Waterford finished strong with Lorraine Bray and Trish Jackman splitting the posts, but the further score or scores that Waterford needed would not come their way as Limerick held out for a 0-9 to 0-8 victory.

2014 was a year where Waterford reached the penultimate round of the championship for the third year in a row and was the second year in a row that they lost out to the eventual All-Ireland champions. Could 2015 be the year when Waterford a step or two further?

Prior to the All-Ireland Championship and after the league, Waterford made the trip to The Ragg outside Thurles to play Tipperary in the Munster Senior Championship. As a senior team Tipperary were expected to prove too strong for Waterford in the eyes of some, but Waterford really put it up to the Premier County side. Just two points separated the sides at the end of the hour, Tipperary winning 1-12 to 2-7.

As we have seen in these reviews of the year in Camogie for 2014, Camogie in Waterford is moving in the right direction.

Some excellent young prospects are coming through from a number of clubs and surly it will be only a matter of time before they are challenging for a place against more experienced players at a higher level than they are currently playing.