Seven from Seven for Waterford Intermediate Ladies Footballers in National League

Waterford’s intermediate ladies footballers ended the league part of this year Tesco Homegrown Ladies National Football League with a 100% record after they beat Leitrim last Sunday at Ballinamore.

Waterford made the long journey to Leitrim knowing that if they avoided defeat that they would top the group and in the first half showed their intent hitting four goals three of which came inside the first thirteen minutes of the game even playing into a strong breeze.

The final score of 5-11 to 3-9 gives a false account of Waterford’s dominance on the day, as the home side hit their three goals in the final ten minutes when Pat Sullivan was emptying his bench. However it could be argued that the players that were entering the game were as strong if not stronger players than those they were replacing.

Waterford opened the scoring when the impressive Maria Delahunty finished to the net after she was found by the impressive Sinead Ryan on three minutes.

Michelle Ryan soon afterwards attempted a score but her shot was blocked down and the ball fell to her younger sister Sinead who finished to the Leitrim net from close range and already the writing seemed to be on the wall for the home side.

Another Maria Delahunty point followed and it was followed by an Aileen Wall goal who gathered a long ball and beat the defence and then finished to the Leitrim net.

Katie Hannon produced a superb diving save to deny a great Sarah McLoughlin effort to keep Leitrim frustrated and from the rebound with Ailbhe Clancy shot wide when a goal looked to be on the cards.

Maria Delahunty who has impressed all year since she rejoined the Waterford set up added a point before Waterford struck a fourth goal. Sinead Ryan saw her first shot kept out but Maria Delahunty followed up and crashed the rebound off the crossbar but Sinead Ryan was on hand to drive the ball to the net on 28 minutes.

Leitrim finally got on the scoreboard with a point from Áine Tighe and two from Ailbhe Clancy which left Leitrim trailing 4-3 to 0-3 at the break.

Waterford opened the second half with a brace of Sinead Ryan points, one of which could have gone under the crossbar which would have completed her hat-trick.

The home side hit a purple patch with Áine Tighe hitting three points to reduce Waterford’s lead to eleven points, but Waterford were soon back on top as Mairead Wall, Shauna Dunphy and Maria Delahunty kicked points to put Waterford fourteen points in front.

Bronagh O’Rourke got her name on the score sheet with a good point after which Áine Tighe followed up with a point from a free after which Louise Ryan got her name on the score sheet for Waterford shortly after coming on for Grainne Kenneally.

Leitrim received a life line eleven minutes from time when Emma Guckian drilled home the first of her sides three late goals.

Sinead Ryan followed up with a point for the visitors before her sister Louise attempted for a second score but her effort was kept out by Michelle Guckian in the Leitrim goals.

The home side hit a second goal five minutes from time, Áine Tighe rounding off a good afternoon for her and soon afterwards it looked as if she was going to have another green flag waved but she shot over from just outside the small box.

Aoife Murray extended Waterford’s lead to eight when the young Comeragh Rangers player put over.

Leitrim hit a third goal through Aileen Maguire which gave the side plenty of confidence. They pilled on the pressure but they had left things too late.

Leitrim however were unable to beat the Waterford defence again and in the closing moments of the game Waterford attacked and Ciara Hurley was in the right place at the right time to finish to the net with an rasping effort from thirty metres.

The win means Waterford topped the table with twenty points point’s from a possible twenty one. Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon all finished on fifteen. In a draw to determine who finish’s second in the table, it was Leitrim that came out of the hat first.

Sligo and Roscommon must play off this weekend to see who finishes third and fourth. The winner will play Leitrim in the semi finals while the looser will provide the opposition for Waterford in the semi finals.

Waterford: Katie Hannon; Nora Dunphy, Karen McGrath, Linda Wall; Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power, Mary Kate Morrissey; Nicola Fennell, Mairead Wall; Maria Delahunty, Mairead Power, Grainne Kenneally; Sinead Ryan, Aileen Wall, Michelle Ryan. Subs used: Shauna Dunphy, Hannah Landers, Louise Ryan, Emma Murray, Megan Dunford, Aoife Murray, Kate McGrath, Aoife Dunne, Ciara Hurley.

Scorers: Sinead Ryan 2-3, Maria Delahunty 1-4, Aileen Wall and Ciara Hurley 1-0 each, Shauna Dunphy, Louise Ryan, Aoife Murray and Mairead Wall 0-1 each.

Leitrim: Michelle Guckian; Claire Beirne, Mairead Stenson, Roisin McHugh; Sharon Kerrigan, Lorraine Brennan, Aine Heslin; Niamh Tighe, Anna Conlan; Ailbhe Clancy, Sarah McLoughlin, Deirdre Ward; Carla Le Guen, Aine Tighe, Bronagh O’Rourke. Subs used: Emma Guckian, Melissa Hewitt, Aileen Maguire.

Scorers: Áine Tighe 1-7, Emma Guckian and Aileen McGuire 1-0 each, Ailbhe Clancy and Bronagh O’Rourke 0-1 each.

Referee: Frankie Keane