Waterford Intermediate Camogie Team need one more win to secure semi final spot.

In the last number of years, Camogie in Waterford has seen its profile increase.

A great deal of work has gone into promoting the game. New clubs have sprung up across the city and county over the past ten to fifteen years, and have no doubt more will in the coming years.

One result has probably done more than most in the change in fortunes for Camogie in Waterford, winning the under 16 ‘B’ All-Ireland just over a decade ago.

Since then we have seen members of that panel go on to win Munster and All-Ireland medals at a higher level and these successes have helped get other girls get interested in the game, many of whom have gone on to win Féile na nGael, Under 14, Under 16, Minor and Adult medals with the county as well as helping second and third level college sides to honours.

With some members of successful under 14, 16 and minor teams involved with the Waterford Intermediate team this year, it is no shock that these players have settled into the set up like ducks would to water, and neither is it a success that the players are steering the team in the right direction.

Waterford in this years Irish Daily Star National Camogie League have played three games in division two and are only deprived top spot at this point on score difference over Kilkenny.

The two meet this coming weekend at the WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore, and a fourth win for either of the two sides would advance them to the semi finals in a few weeks time.

Waterford’s latest win came last Sunday when they beat Meath in Rathoath.

The clash was the third between the two sides was the third inside the last twelve months. The previous two games were close fought games, that could have gone either way, with each side winning one game each, the Royal County winning last years league clash, the Déise County winning the Championship clash.

This game like the two previous games proved to be a tightly fought game, where the final outcome was in doubt right to the end.

It was the home side that had the better of the starts, racing into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes, the home side hitting scores through Aoife Minogue (2), Sinead Hackett, Jane Dolan and Megan Thynne, with Trish Jackman hitting both of Waterford’s early scores from frees.

When you mention Waterford Camogie in recent years, one name constantly comes up – that of De La Salle’s Beth Carton. In the last few years playing on the underage scene, she has caused many sides problems and now that she is called up to the Adult scene she is going much the same.

On eleven minutes she won her side a close in free and to see Trish Jackman step up to take it was no surprise and neither was it to see her attempt to put the sliotar under the crossbar rather than over it, and she made no mistake in doing so  levelling matters on the score board 1-2 to 0-5.

Dawn Power another of the new exciting prospects in Waterford called up to the Intermediate side this year and Trish Jackman put Waterford in front with points, but the lead was a short lived one as Aoife Minogue beat Brianna O’Regan in her first start at this level after a shot into the Waterford defence was not dealt with further out the field and when Minogue gained control of ball, she made no mistake.

Dawn Power and Kristina Troy swapped scores to keep the home side one in front, but Waterford would finish the half the stronger as Beth Carton and Trish Jackman landed points from frees to give Waterford a 1-7 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Meath started the second half drawing level with Waterford as Aoife Minogue hit her fourth score of the game within thirty seconds of the restart.

Waterford however were soon back in front after Trish Jackman put over a hat-trick of frees with Jane Dolan hitting one free for the home side which gave Waterford a 1-10 to 1-8 lead.

Beth Carton edged Waterford three in front, but a brace of scores from Sinead Hackett and a single effort from Cheyanne O’Brien levelled matters once more.

Trish Jackman and Jane Dolan from frees both added points before the Gailltir club player edged Waterford back in front after some good work in the build up by Claire Murphy.

Beth Carton and Jane Dolan both from frees again swapped scores from frees to keep Waterford in front by one (1-14 to 1-13) with time ticking down.

Waterford however made sure of the win late on in the game when Brianna O’Regan found Valerie O’Brien with a lengthy pass. The Roanmore player was fouled and the free was quickly played into the inside forward line where Nicola Morrissey was in the right place at the right time, getting the ball into her hand and palming past Emily Mangan.

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Vikki Falconer, Claire Whyte. Emma Hannon; Claire Murphy, Jennie Simpson, Jenny McCarthy; Trish Jackman, Lorraine Bray; Dawn Power, Valerie O’Brien, Beth Carton; Molly Curran, Catriona McGlone, Aisling Power. Subs: Deirdre Brennan, Kate McMahon, Nicola Morrissey, Becky Kavanagh, Saoirse Bonner, Sibeal Harney, Orla Flynn.

Scorers: Trish Jackman 1-9 (1-7 frees), Beth Carton 0-3 (1 free), Nicola Morrissey (1-0), Dawn Power 0-2.

Meath: Emil Mangan; Grace Coleman, Claire Coffey, Fiona O’Neill; Áine Keogh, Laura Maguire, Emma Coffey; Jane Dolan, Kristina Troy; Edel Guy, Aoife Maguire, Cheyanne O’Brien; Katie Hackett, Sinead Hackett, Megan Thynne.

Scorers: Aoife Maguire 1-3, Jane Dolan 0-4 (3 frees), Sinead Hackett 0-3, Kristina Troy, Cheyanne O’Brien, Megan Thynne 0-1 each.
 

Referee: Eamon Cassidy