All-Ireland Title number Twenty-Three for Waterford Ladies Footballers

A twenty-third All-Ireland Final in twenty nine years was won in Ladies Football for Waterford on Wednesday evening when the Counties under 16 team captured the ‘B’ Championship, beating Roscommon on McDonagh Park in Nenagh with one point to spare at the end.

Waterford’s first title in the ladies game was an historic one, when the side won the first ever Ladies Football All-Ireland Final played at Croke Park in 1986 when the side beat Wexford, with Marie Crotty writing herself into the history books registering the first score in a ladies football All-Ireland Final at G.A.A. Headquarters.

Since then five senior All-Ireland Finals have been won, five minor ‘A’, one minor shield, five under 16 ‘A’ titles, two under 16 ‘B’ titles, one minor ‘B’ Shield, one under 14 ‘A’, one under 14 ‘B’, one under 14 Shield and one under 14 All-Ireland Blitz titles have been won.

Waterford went into this game knowing that if they were to win they would have to be at their very best, as this Roscommon side was a good one.

In the last few years little was known of this group of players coming through from the west, but in the past few months they proved to be an excellent side and were in Wednesday evenings final on merit.

In the Connacht Championship they won three of their four games in the league section of the competition, finishing level on points with both Galway and Mayo, all only one game each, but lost out on a place in the Connacht ‘A’ final on score difference over the two bigger counties.

In the ‘B’ Connacht final they beat Leitrim and two weeks before Wednesday’s game had a win over a strong Cavan side in the All-Ireland semi finals.

Waterford’s passage to last Wednesday’s All-Ireland Final was equally as impressive as Roscommon’s.

Clare and Limerick were both defeated in the group stages of the Munster Championship. The side lost to Kerry in the Munster ‘A’ semi final and then beat Tipperary in the Munster ‘B’ final. And two weeks before this game the side had a very hard work out against Kildare in the All-Ireland semi final at Freshford.

The old Irish saying of “tuas maith leath na hoibre” proved to be a very true one in this game, as Waterford good off to a dream start.

There was less than sixty seconds on the clock when Old Parish’s Hannah Power had the ball over the Roscommon crossbar.

Within seconds Waterford extended their lead. The Deise ladies brought the ball out of their own defence and when Maeve Ryan found player of the game Kaeisha Tobin, the Dungarvan player had just one thing on her mind, as she beat Rebecca Cox in the Roscommon goal to give Waterford a four point lead with just two minutes on the clock.

Two minutes later, Waterford were even further in front Abbey Dunphy became the third member of the full forward line to get her name on the score sheet.

On five minutes team captain Chloe Fennell put Waterford six up and on ten minutes Waterford were seven up when player of the match Kaiesha Tobin hit her second score of the game.

Waterford were exerting a lot of pressure on the Roscommon goal and it was now important for the Westerns that if they were not going to be on the wrong end of a possible heavy defeat that they would hit a score.

This they did on the quarter of an hour mark when Sinead Farrell put the ball over the crossbar of Rosie Landers to cut Waterford’s lead to six.

However, Waterford’s result to this score was clinical as again working the ball out of their own half starting with Emma Gildea and the ball was worked up to Katie Duggan Sullivan who was fouled. Her Dungarvan club mate Kaiesha Tobin took the resulting free found Hannah Power and she finished by fisting to the net to give Waterford a 2-4 to 0-1 lead which they were full value for.

Six minutes from the break Waterford’s lead was extended to double digits when Chloe Fennell landed her second of the game and it was further extended shortly afterwards when Kaiesha Tobin kicked another point, but the brilliant Dungarvan club player was unlucky not to have put the ball under the crossbar, something that would have happened but for the brilliance of Rebecca Cox in the Roscommon goal.

Roscommon enjoyed a purple period patch before the break. Niamh Fleming drew an excellent save from an alert Rosie Landers in the Waterford goal who put the ball out for a 45. From the resulting kick from the ’45 the ball was worked into Sarah Scally and who beat Rosie Landers for a Roscommon goal.

Three minutes later the same player finished to the net for a second Roscommon goal to leave just five between the lead, but Waterford will know that the Connacht side could have been closer to then or even in front as in between both of Roscommon’s goals Waterford corner backs Becky Hogan and Edwina Curran made vital interceptions to deny Roscommon further scores.

Waterford however would turn around six points to the good as they kicked the last score of the half, a score that would prove crucial at the end of the hour.

Wing back Abbie Dalton won a kick out and along with fellow Na Déise player Mary Kate Curran and Saint Patrick’s Hannah Power work the ball to Abbey Dunphy and the Tramore player made no mistake in splitting the posts to give Waterford a 2-7 to 2-1 lead at the break.

Waterford started the second half as they did in the first hitting the first score of the half within a minute of the restart.

When the majority of this panel helped Waterford win the Under 14 ‘B’ All-Ireland final two years ago against Westmeath the Gaultier Club was not even formed. The Barony ladies since forming have made remarkable progress and it was no surprise that they had a number of representatives on this panel.

Two of them Shauna Fitzgerald and Kate Lynch played an instrumental roll in the first score of the half as they linked up to set up Katie Duggan Sullivan who put Waterford seven in front.

After this Roscommon enjoyed another purple patch in which they put a lot of pressure on the Waterford goal.

Aoife Galvin put over a free won by Heather Payne to cut Waterford’s lead. Further points from Sinead Farrell and Louise Brady followed for Roscommon which cut Waterford’s lead to four as Roscommon began to control proceedings.

Roscommon could well have been in front in the middle of their purple patch as Rosie Landers made another great save. The Rossie’s hit the Waterford crossbar and Emma Gildea took the ball off the goal line.

Roscommon hit a third goal through Niamh Shanagher to leave one between the sides making things very difficult for a Waterford side who in the first half looked as though they would win this game by as big as margin as they wanted to.

Waterford broke up Roscommon’s run of scores with a point from Kaiesha Tobin but it was followed by another Sinead Farrell point to again leave just one between the sides.

With Waterford leading 2-9 to 3-5, the final minutes of the game proved to be a very tense affair.

The side that wanted the game most was going to win. Experience by Waterford in winning the Under 14 All-Ireland two years earlier would also play a part.

Waterford began another attack started by Abbey Dalton and the ball as worked into the danger zone for Roscommon in front of their own goal and when Kaiesha Tobin was fouled, referee James Flood from Wexford had no option by to extend his arms outwards blow on his whistle and award Waterford a penalty.

The Dungarvan club player dusted herself down and took the penalty herself sending the Roscommon net minder the wrong way, but her shot came back off the base of the upright.

Both sides in added time at the end of the hour had chances. The Waterford defence closed down Roscommon’s forwards at every opportunity while Hanna Power saw an effort go just wide with the last attack of the game.

Waterford: Rosie Landers (Ballyduff Upper); Becky Hogan (Ballymacarbry), Emma Gildea (Dungarvan), Edwina Curran (Tramore); Abbie Dalton (Na Déise), Mary Kate Curran (Na Déise), Maeve Ryan (Ballymacarbry); Hannah Power (Saint Patrick’s), Shauna Fitzgerald (Gaultier); Chloe Fennell (Stradbally), Katie Duggan Sullivan (Dungarvan), Kate Lynch (Gaultier); Hannah Power (Old Parish), Kaiesha Tobin (Dungarvan), Abbey Dunphy (Tramore). Rest of panel: Shiona O’Regan (Ballysaggart), Meadhbh Curran (Stradbally), Lauren Galvin (Comeragh Rangers), Hallanah White (Comeragh Rangers), Annie Fitzgerald (Gaultier), Keeley Corbett Barry (Comeragh Rangers), Lauren Dunford (Abbeyside), Kate Cliffe (Clashmore), Clodagh Curran (Dungarvan), Jess Fitzgerald (Clashmore), Shauna Ryan (Clashmore), Maura Gallagher (Dungarvan), Leah Maher (Gaultier), Meadhbh  Curran (Old Parish), Clíona Murphy (Ballymacarbry) and Lia Nic Craith.

Roscommon: Rebecca Cox (Saint Barry’s); Rachel Gallagher (Saint Brigid’s), Shannon Dowd (Western Gaels), Amy Curley (Saint Faithleach’s); Caoimhe O'Dowd (Shannon Gaels), Roisin Wynne (Boyle), Eimear McNally (Saint Dominic’s); Mikaela McHugh (Kilglass Gaels), Heather Payne (Padraig Pearses); Aoife Gavin (Saint Dominic’s), Sinead Farrell (Clann na nGael), Ciara Corcoran (Saint Dominic’s); Sarah Scally (Saint Faithleach’s), Niamh Shanagher (Kilbride), Niamh Fleming (Michael Glavey’s). Rest of the Panel: Claire Keagan (Saint Croan’s), Shauna Fleming (Michael Glavey’s), Louise Murray (Saint Mary’s), Sarah Hoare (Saint Faithleach’s), Áine Mullins (Boyle), Elaine McDermott (Shannon Gaels), Amy Malone (Saint Croan’s), Jillian Banahan (Saint Faithleach’s), Aoibheann Reilly (Padraig Pearses), Shannon Caulfield (Saint Croan’s), Sinead Glennon (Boyle), Aoife McLaughlin (Saint Barry’s), Louise Brady (Saint Mary’s), Casey Keane (Kilbride), Clodagh Raferty (Castlerea Saint Kevin’s).

Referee: James Flood (Wexford).

Many thanks to Sophie Troy for the use of some of her photos.

Trish looks for All-Ireland Title number seven

The August Bank Holiday weekend has come to mean one thing in the G.A.A. calendar, the staging of the M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada competition in the picturesque Cooley Mountains in County Louth.

The competition first started in 1961 when Limerick’s Vincent Godfrey won the Competition with 52 pucks. The following year the winner was Kilkenny legend Ollie Walsh who completed the course in 67 pucks.

Since then some of the biggest names in the game have won the competition, including  Limerick’s Pat Hartigan a two time winner of the competition, former Cork goalkeeper and current Dublin manager Ger Cunningham won the competition seven times, former Clare goalkeeper and former Waterford manager and Current Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald has won the competition twice, while there is also wins for competitors from not so strong hurling holds like Colin Byrne from Wicklow who won the competition in 1997 and 2000, Paul Dunne from Louth who won in 2003, Gerry Fallon from Roscommon who won in 2009 and Down’s Graham Clarke who won the following year.

There has been two Waterford winners of the hurling competition, Tom Geary who shared the win with Kilkenny’s Ollie Walsh and Dinny Donnelly from Meath in 1963, while Knockanore man Billy Tobin won the competition in 1969.

The Knockanore man is in the record books as holding the title of Poc Fada Champion for the longest period.

The next winner after him was Limerick’s Pat Hartigan in 1981, but it should be pointed out that there was no competition from 1970 to 1980 inclusive.

The King of the Poc Fada is former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins. The Ballybacon/Grange Club Man has won the competition eight times and will be searching for a ninth title this weekend.

His first success was in 2004. He would add three titles in a row in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and has won the competition again each year from 2011.

If a Tipperary man is the King of the Poc Fada, a Waterford woman is the Queen of the Puc Fada.

The Gailltir sharp shooter this weekend will face her toughest test to date and will have to be at her very best to beat Clare’s Aisling Corbett, Elaine Gallery for Dublin, Catriona Daly from Galway who has pushed the Gailltir lady hard in the recent past and Catherine McGourty from Down.

The Down lady made national headlines recently accusing the organisers of the Ulster Competition as “sexist”.

The captain of the Ulster Camogie team spoke out after the winner of the Ulster Hurling Poc Fada was presented with a trophy for winning the competition as well as a skiing holiday while she was presented with a medal.

While the Ulster representative in this years competition will receive her share of media coverage in the coming days and over the course of the competition itself, its fair to say that much of the attention will be on Waterford’s Trish Jackman.

The Gailltir player will be travelling to the County Louth for the tenth time to compete at the competition.

She first took part in 2006 finishing as runner up to Westmeath’s Mary Henry and in the two following years she again finished as runner up to Carlow’s Lyndsey Condell.

She made her big break through in 2009 finishing the course in 26 Poc’s. Lyndsey Connell would finish third in 2009, one place behind her sister.

She retained the title twelve months later, going round the course in 28 Poc’s and 27 metres, a Poc ahead of Down’s Finnuala Carr who finished second.

It was three in a row for Trish in 2011 again going round the course in 28 Poc’s putting the sliotar 40 metres past the line with her last stroke. Galway’s Rachel Monaghan finished second, completing the course three shots behind the winner.

The runner up in 2011 was relegated to third place in 2012, going round in 32 Poc’s but the winner was a familiar face as Trish Jackman completed the course in 29 Poc’s. Limerick’s Martina McMahon finished second, one Poc behind the four time winner.

History repeated itself in 2013 as the runner up from the previous year just like in 2011 finished third as Martina McMahon went around the course in 30 Poc’s.

Catriona Daly who could well prove to be the biggest challenger to the Gailltir lady this weekend finished second, finishing in 28 Poc’s, but Trish Jackman would again win this time going around the mountains in a record 27 Poc’s for the ladies competition.

The 2014 competition was delayed because of inclement weather on the day it was planned, but when it did go ahead, there was a familiar face being presented with the winner’s trophy at the end of the competition as Trish Jackman won her sixth title in a row.

Last years competition proved to be the most competitive in the competition’s history as the top two Trish Jackman and the runner up from the previous year Catriona Daly went around 29 Poc’s but the Gailltir lady won for the sixth title striking her final shot 62 metres past the finish line as opposed to 15 metres for the Galway lady.

 

Those taking part in this years Poc Fada final’s are

Senior Hurling

Aaron Murphy (Limerick)
Andrew Fahey (Clare)
Brendan Cummins (Tipperary)
Cillian Kiely (Offaly)
Eoin Reilly (Laois)
Gerard Smith (Louth)
Karol Keating (Down)
Keith Raymond (Sligo)
Noel Fallon (Roscommon)
Paddy McKillion (Tyrone)
Patrick Kelly (Clare)

U16 Hurling

Cormac Phillips (Mayo)
Barry O’Mahony (Kerry)
Padraig Delaney (Laois)
Reece McSorley (Derry)
Shaun Murray (Waterford)

Senior Camogie

Aisling Corbett (Clare)
Catherine McGourty (Down)
Catriona Daly (Galway)
Elaine Gallery (Dublin)
Patricia Jackman (Waterford)

U16 Camogie

Ann-Marie Smyth (Ulster)
Sarah Healy (Connacht)
Ciara O’Looney (Leinster)
Áine O’Loughlin (Munster)

 

Dan Fraher Puc Fada

The tenth Dan Fraher Puc Fada competition will take place on Monday evening next in Touraneena.

Teams of three cost €20 per team member for adults and €10 each for teams of three in the under 16 competition.

Those taking part should be registered at Kirwan Park, the home ground of the Sliabh gCua/Saint Mary’s G.A.A. Club (Just off the Dungarvan to Clonmel road) by 5pm from where they will be brought to the home of Dan Fraher (in Skeheens in the Comeragh Mountains) after whom Fraher Field in Dungarvan is named after and they will fight it out to see who can get back to Kirwan Park in the least amount of shots possible.

The competition is opened to all. One member of the winning team last year was local man and Waterford hurler Colin Dunford.

Waterford are sixty minutes from Croke Final appearance

Sean Fleming’s Waterford Intermediate Camogie Team have made it to the semi final stages of the All-Ireland Championship for the fourth year in a row after they made it two wins from two games in this years championship, overcoming the challenge of last years beaten finalists Kilkenny at Walsh Park.

In fact this is the seventh year in a row that Waterford have reached an All-Ireland semi final as for three years in a row prior to moving up to the Intermediate grade Waterford won three Junior All-Ireland semi finals in a row.

In his first year in charge at this level, Fleming is continuing the good work of Mark Cooney and Niall O’Donnell in recent years, and has already guided his charged to a league title earlier this year, which will mean that his side will play against some of the big guns in next years league.

With both sides needing to win, Waterford to ensure their semi final spot and Kilkenny to remain in the championship, both managers kept changes to their side to the minimum.

From the side that beat Antrim 2-15 to 1-10 a week earlier Kilkenny brought in Michaela Kennedy at full back for Brigid Grennan while Edel Coonan came into the half forward line in place of Sarah Crowley.

Waterford too beat Antrim in their last game 6-9 to 1-3 at Walsh Park brought Claire Whyte back into the Full back position for Jennie Simpson while Sibeal Harney came in at wing forward with team captain Catriona McGlone moving to full forward in place of Shona Curran.

Each time Waterford play this year the side has a different player that stands out from above the rest and in this game it was the turn of Dungarvan’s Dawn Power that impressed most.

The teenager is one of a number of new players brought into the panel by Sean Fleming finished this game with 2-1 behind her name on the score sheet and is clearly a player that has a bright future ahead of her in the game.

Waterford maybe have been outscored in actual scores in this game twelve to eight, but three of the eight scores went under the Kilkenny crossbar resulting in Waterford winning by two points.

Waterford were slow to settle in this game falling behind to two early points for the visitors coming from Sarah Kent and Kelly Ann Doyle.

Waterford’s first score did not arrive until the twentieth minute. Lorraine Bray was the player to split the posts having been set up by team captain Catriona McGlone.

Kilkenny in this game relied on frees struck by Emma Commerford to keep them in this game and the Young Irelanders player hit the first of her six scores seven minutes from the end of the first half.

Three minutes later the visitors attempted to strike for goal but an alert Deirdre Brennan in the Waterford goal did well to keep Jenny Clifford’s effort from reaching its intended target.

Waterford’s first goal of the game came three minutes from the break. Long Puc champions Trish Jackman from the middle of the field saw a free drop short but Cappoquin’s Lorraine Bray was in the right place to push the ball past Kirsty Maher to give Waterford the lead for the first time.

Edel Frisby levelled matters soon afterwards with a good score having been set up by Laura Norris.

Waterford’s second goal came two minutes from the break when Dawn Power hit her first goal of the game shooting from about thirty metres her shot dipped and went high into Kirsty Maher’s net leaving the Dicksboro player stranded.

Beth Carton gave Waterford a double score (2-2 to 0-4) lead in the closing minutes of the half, but Kilkenny would finish slightly stronger of the two sides as Emma Commerford and Sarah Walsh landed scores to leave just two between the sides at the break.

The second half began with Kelly Ann Doyle and Lorraine Bray trade scores before Kilkenny enjoyed a period of dominance where they hit three points in six minutes all from frees off the stick of Emma Commerford and Kelly Ann Doyle hit a single score at the start of the final quarter to give the visitors a 0-11 to 2-3 lead.

However, Waterford finished the stronger of the two sides.

Waterford hit a third goal on fifty minutes, Dawn Power again the scorer having been set up by Aisling Power the captain of the under 16 team which won last years All-Ireland final.

Now in front (3-3 to 0-11), Waterford did not relinquish that lead in the ten minutes of normal time still to play plus the seven added minutes mostly added as a result of an injury picked up by Jenny McCarthy.

Trish Jackman having been set up by Dawn Power extended Waterford’s lead and then the Dungarvan player went from score provider to score getter six minutes from the hour mark to edge Waterford three in front.

Emma Commerford pulled a point back for Kilkenny on the hour mark, and while they tried hard in the seven added minutes to get something from the game, Waterford held out for a win to advance to the semi finals for the fourth year in a row and at the same time knocking Kilkenny out of the competition, meaning that the competition this year will have neither side that competed in last years final will be in Croke Park this September.

Waterford: Deirdre Brennan; Kate McMahon, Claire Whyte, Vikki Falconer; Charlotte Raher, Trish Jackman, Jenny McCarthy; Iona Heffernan, Lorraine Bray; Sibeal Harney, Nicola Morrissey, Beth Carton; Aisling Power, Catriona McGlone, Dawn Power. Subs: Niamh Rockett for Sibeal Harney, Molly Curran for Jenny McCarthy, Claire Murphy for Aisling Power.

Scorers: Dawn Power 2-1; Lorraine Bray 1-2; Trish Jackman, Beth Carton 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Kirsty Maher; Katie Nolan, Michaela Kenneally, Therese Muldowney; Sarah Kent, Rebecca Cleere, Aisling Nolan; Edel Frisby, Kelly Ann Doyle; Sarah Walsh, Laura Norris, Edel Coonan; Emma Comerford, Sarah Ann Quinlan, Jenny Clifford. Subs: Niamh Leahy for Edel Frisby, Marguerite Hoynes, for Sarah Ann Quinlan, Catherine Connolly for Jenny Clifford.

Scorers: Emma Comerford 0-6 (6fs); Kelly Ann Doyle 0-3; Sarah Kent (f), Sarah Walsh and Laura Norris 0-1 each.

Referee: Aidan O’Brien (Wexford)

Deise Ladies ready for Roscommon Challenge in Under 16 All-Ireland Final

If you are a regular reader of what appears here, you will be only too well aware that great work has taken place in developing Ladies Football in Waterford over the past few years.

In the last few years, the county has won its share of honours, and what has been achieved to date could well be added to this week and again in the coming weeks and months.

The great Waterford team of the 90’s had the majority of its players come off very successful underage teams and many of the names on these teams are still fondly remembered by supporters of the game within the county at the time.

The present Waterford Intermediate Manager Pat Sullivan is at present doing as Michael Ryan did back in the 90’s putting together a team of experienced players as well as some of the most exciting young players in the county.

Players like Caoimhe McGrath, the Murray Sisters, Lauren McGregor, Megan Dunford, Shauna Dunphy, Mary Kate Morrissey, Ciara Hurley and Kate McGrath are all young players that have got game time with Waterford this year having come off good underage teams in the last few years and who no doubt look to add to what they have already got in their medal collection.

But these players as well as the more established players on the Waterford intermediate panel cannot rest on their laurels thinking that there place on the Waterford panel might be secure for a number of years to come, because coming behind them is another exciting young group of players.

Johnny Troy’s under 16 team on Wednesday evening of this weekend make the trip to North Tipperary for the All-Ireland ‘B’ Final where thy will play Roscommon and many of the players involved having seen what does that have played under 14, 16 and minor have done in the last few years will be pushing hard for a place on the Waterford panel going into the future.

Two years ago at under 14 level, Waterford won the All-Ireland ‘B’ Championship beating Westmeath in the final at Crettyard winning 4-10 to 0-11, the same day that Waterford beat Offaly in the All-Ireland Hurling Qualifiers in Tullamore.

However, while many that were involved in that win are likely to be again involved this time around which could give the side confidence heading to Nenagh as they have experience of big occasions, but they cannot and should not under estimate the challenge of their opponents.

Make no mistake; this Roscommon side that Waterford are playing are a good side.

The Connacht championship was played on a round robin basis.

The top two teams after five rounds of games would contest the Connacht ‘A’ Championship, with the third and fourth placed teams contesting the ‘B’ Championship with the looser of that game representing Connacht in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Championship.

Roscommon began their quest to reach Wednesday evening’s final by beating Sligo 1-14 to 1-5. This was followed by a massive loss (17-10 to 3-8) against Mayo, but from here on in it wins all the way for the Rossies, beating Leitrim in Round three (3-10 to 0-3) and then Galway 2-11 to 1-6. In the final round of games Roscommon had a bye.

After five rounds of games, Mayo, Galway and Roscommon had six points from a possible eight in their four games meaning that score difference was needed to decide who finished where in the table.

Mayo and Galway both had a better score difference to Roscommon so qualified for the ‘A’ final while Roscommon were pitted with Leitrim in the ‘B’ decider.

Roscommon won that game 3-10 to 1-4 and just to show how strong Roscommon are, Galway who Roscommon beat earlier in the competition went on to beat Mayo the only side to beat Roscommon so far this year on a 2-11 to 2-8 score line.

Right throughout the team Roscommon have some excellent players in the likes of Rebecca Cox, Sharon O’Dowd, Amy Curley, Róisín Wynne, Emer McNally, Mikaela McHugh, Heather Payne, Aoife Gavin, Niamh Shanagher, Niamh Brady and Sinead Farrell.

Waterford’s journey to this Wednesday evening’s All-Ireland final began back in March when they travelled to Martinstown to play Limerick.

Waterford won this game 6-5 to 1-8. The winning of the game was either side of the break as Hannah Power from Old Parish and Kate Cliffe hit goals and early in the second half Kaiesha Tobin and Abbie Dunphy hit another brace of goals.

Limerick came back into the game after this but in Rosie Landers they met a goalkeeper who was in fine form. The Ballyduff Upper player on more than one occasion in this game made brilliant saves to keep the home sides attack at bay.

Waterford made absolute sure of the victory late on in the game as Kaiesha Tobin and Abbie Dunphy hit their second goals of the game.

Next up for Waterford was a game against Clare at Emly in Tipperary.

This proved to be a very tight game which again resulted in a win for Waterford, this time on a 1-7 to 1-5 score line.

Katie Duggan Sullivan opened the scoring for Waterford but Clare would hit back with 1-1 to give them a three point lead.

Waterford however were soon back on level terms as Kaeisha Tobin landed two points and Abbie Dunphy hit one before Katie Duggan Sullivan hit a crucial goal for Waterford just before the break.

Abbie Dunphy and Kaiesha Tobin kept the score board ticking over in the second half as Clare tried hard to get back in front, but once Chloe Fennell pointed for Waterford victory was going to be Waterford’s.

Before Waterford got to play Tipperary in the Munster ‘B’ Final, they played Kerry in the ‘A’ semi final, where the stronger side from the Kingdom ran out 5-9 to 2-9 winners.

Kerry hit the first of their goals with only two minutes on the clock which made it very difficult for Waterford, but credit the side in White and Blue they never gave up.

Kerry added a second goal on 18 minutes. Scores from Abbie Dalton, Aisling Mullaney and Kaiesha Tobin saw Waterford turn around after played against the wind trailing 2-7 to 1-3.

Four points from Kaisha Tobin in the second half helped cut Kerry’s lead to three points, but disaster struck for Waterford as the side were getting back into contention with the concession of a third goal which was quickly followed by a fourth.

The impressive Kaiesha Tobin hit another 1-1 and Bronagh Condon hit a point for Waterford after this but a fifth goal shortly before the end killed off any chance Waterford had of advancing to the ‘A’ final and a meeting with Cork.

The Munster Final at Kilmacthomas was a thriller, with the sides sharing eight goals evenly.

Waterford turned around with a 3-5 to 1-2 advantage.

Playing with the wind in the opening thirty minutes Waterford hit a brace of goals though Abbie Dunphy and one from Chloe Fennell while Kaiesha Tobin put three points on the score board.

Tipperary came out for the second half a much different side and put 2-4 past Waterford with Waterford hitting a point in that time from Abbie Dunphy.

The visiting side took the lead for the first time on forty two minutes, but Abbie Dunphy hit another goal and Abbie Dalton, Chloe Fennell and Kaiesha hit points to put Waterford five in front.

Tipperary received a boost when Waterford were reduced to fourteen players and also hit a goal, but Waterford dug very deep in those closing minutes as Katie Duggan Sullivan, Kaiesha Tobin and Abbie Dalton all hit points to win for Waterford a place in the All-Ireland semi finals.

The semi final against Kildare was played just two weeks ago at Freshford in Kilkenny.

That game was a suburb game of football.

Kildare were first to score in Freshford but Waterford were soon into their stride as Katie Duggan Sullivan equalised after which Kaeisha Tobin rattled the Kildare net and Katie Duggan Sullivan followed up with three further points to give Waterford a 1-4 to 0-1 lead with just sixteen minutes played.

Not wanting to let Waterford go too far ahead Kildare hit back with four points to leave two between the sides but a point from Kaiesha Tobin before the break meant Waterford turned around leading 1-5 to 0-5.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first but the rolls were reversed.

Abbie Dunphy opened the second half scoring to go four up but Kildare hit back with 1-1 to draw level five minutes into the second half.

Three minutes later Kildare were back in front, and with nine minutes to go it was still one between the sides as Kaiesha Tobin and Keeley Corbett-Barry landed scores which were cancelled out by efforts from the impressive Nanci Murphy.

Eight minutes from time Kaiesha Tobin levelled matters with a point from a free and with four minutes to go, the Dungarvan player Waterford in front with another point from another free.

It was the hungrier side that would now advance to the final. Kildare through everything at the Waterford defence but they could not get through. The Lilly-whites playing in a green shirt even hit the crossbar. At the other end Waterford with their chances made no mistakes and the forwards when the chances did come their way kept a cool nerve and it paid off as Kaiesha Tobin, Keely Corbett-Barry and Annie Fitzgerald hit unanswered points to seal a four point win and a place in this Wednesday’s final for Waterford.

Wednesday evening’s game in Nenagh which has a 7pm throw in could well prove to be an enthralling battle.

Both sides all year are in terrific form. Both sides go into the game having lost just one game, for Roscommon they have five wins from six games, for Waterford their record is four wins from five.

Heading into the game Waterford have every so slightly the better scoring average but when it comes to scores conceded Waterford have by far the better average.

This is a game that neither will win easily going from what we have seen all year. One mistake could well prove to be the difference between the two. Waterford’s big match day experience could well stand to them here, but you can never tell. One thing we can be assured of is that those that do make the journey to North Tipperary on Wednesday evening are assured of a great battle.

Croke Park next stop for Déise Hurlers

If anybody told you on New Years Day of this year that Waterford would still be involved in the Championship in August you would probably have laughed.

A number of changes were going to be made to the panel for the year ahead and the feeling was that the new faces coming into the panel, none of whose ability was questioned would need a little time to settle into playing hurling at the highest level before Waterford would be serious contenders for All-Ireland Glory again.

Well, we are now just days away from August and Waterford are one of just four sides in with a chance of winning this year’s All-Ireland Championship.

And of the three other sides that are remaining in the championship, there is not much for Waterford’s young side to fear.

Galway are a side that will always blow hot and cold. When they played Waterford in the league quarter finals earlier this year they were awful. Today against Cork they looked very good, but we have to ask ourselves how good are this present Cork side?

Tipperary is a side that Waterford know that they can beat.

Waterford won the League semi final clash between the two and the Premier County side might have won the Munster Final Clash between the two recently, but Waterford that day did not play up to the standards they can play. Should the sides get the chance to meet again this year, I for one would be very confident that the Munster Final result could be reversed.

And what of Kilkenny. This may prove to be a commentators curse, but I don’t believe that are as good as they used to. They have lost a lot of experienced players over the past year or two. And while history will favour the Cats going into the All-Ireland semi final clash against Waterford, I believe Waterford are better off getting Brian Cody’s side in the semi finals rather than in the All-Ireland Final.

All last week I felt that Waterford had the upper hand on Dublin, especially if they could exploit possible weaknesses that can from time to time in their full back line.

When I woke this morning for some reason I was not as confident as I was all along, but I need not have any such fears.

There were some worries going into the game. The return from play from the forwards in the Munster Final was the one, but today things were much different as the forwards were in fine form from play hitting a very impressive tally with five of the six forwards getting their name on the score sheet from play.

Another was how would the side react to the defeat to Tipperary in the Munster Final and the subsequent defeat to Clare in the Under 21 Championship where a number of the panel was also involved. However there would be no fears as the mentality of the players going into the game was excellent.  

The first half of this game proved to be a very tight affair with Dublin turning around with the smallest of advantage on the score board at the end of thirty five minutes hurling, in which the sides were tied together eight times.

In the second half however, it was much different, as Waterford put in an excellent thirty five minutes hurling, hitting two goals, one at either end of the half.

Maurice Shanahan again lead the charge for Waterford in this game hitting 1-12 of Waterford’s tally on the score board and also played a major roll in helping to set up Shane Bennett for the crucial first goal of the game very early in the game.

The towering Lismore man is one of a number of Waterford players who would be in with a serious shout of an All-Star if the team was announced now, Tadhg Bourke, Kevin Moran and Noel Connors the others in with the biggest shout.

The latter went off injured in this game with what appeared to be a leg injury, but he is expected to be back for the clash with Kilkenny on August 9 in Croke Park. The loss of the Passage man on another day would have been a big blow to Waterford but Derek McGrath was able to call on fellow De La Salle Club man Stephen Daniels who is returning to the scene after picking up a serious injury in 2013 and the he did not put a foot wrong in this game. His return to hurling at this level has to be seen as a major plus for Waterford for the remainder of the year and going into the future.

Waterford went into this game as favourites, a tag that does not always sit well on the shoulders of Waterford sides. They needed a good start in this game and they got it, even if the Leinster side were first to score.

An early Chris Crummy point was cancelled out with a brace from Maurice Shanahan, the first from a free and the latter, the first of his two points from play.

Waterford went two up on three minutes when Colin Dunford split the posts for his first of the game but Dublin would hit back with a point from Mark Schutte.

The sides level for the second time on seven minutes when Paul Ryan put over the first of his five points.

Maurice Shanahan edged Waterford back in from on eight minutes when he put over a ’65 but it was followed with a brace of Dublin points, the first from Niall McMorrow and then Ryan O’Dwyer to give the Sky Blues the lead for the second time.

Maurice Shanahan from a free and Dotsy O’Callaghan exchanged scores before Austin Gleeson landed his first of the afternoon to level matters at six points each after thirteen minutes.

Another Colin Dunford score put Waterford back in front after which Maurice Shanahan landed a free to put Waterford two up at the end of the first quarter.

The impressive Danny Sutcliffe pulled a point back for Dublin, but it was followed by another Maurice Shanahan free that split the posts on twenty minutes.

Points from Paul Ryan and Dotsy O’Callaghan followed to tie the scoring for the sixth time with thirteen minutes of the first half still to play.

Waterford Captain Kevin Moran get his name on the score sheet on twenty six minutes following good work by Shane Bennett and Colin Dunford. Ryan O’Dwyer levelled matters once more eight minutes from the break but Maurice Shanahan put Waterford back in front just before the half hour mark when he put over his second ’65 of the game.

Another Maurice Shanahan point from a free three minutes from the end of normal time in the first half gave Waterford a 0-12 to 0-10 advantage on the score board but it would be Dublin that would finish the half the stronger as Paul Ryan and Danny Sutcliffe put over points before the latter gave Dublin an advantage heading to the dressing rooms with a point from last attack of the half.

Whatever was said in the Waterford dressing room at the break worked as the side came out going from one point down to six in front in the first twelve minutes of the half.

Kevin Moran got the ball rolling with an early point before eighteen year old Shane Bennett in his first Championship start gave Gary Maguire no chance with a magnificent goal striking off the ground high into the Dublin net having got a very favourable bounce of the ball.

Austin Gleeson and Mark Schutte swapped scores to keep Waterford three in front which was followed by a brace of Maurice Shanahan scores, the first from a free and then play to put Waterford 1-16 to 0-14 in front and the lead was extended on forty seven minutes when Jake Dillon split the posts.

Paul Ryan pulled a point back for Dublin but it was followed with efforts from Maurice Shanahan and Austin Gleeson which gave Waterford a 1-19 to 0-15 lead.

Dublin pulled a goal back on 53 minutes, as Mark Schutte’s effort beat Stephen O’Keeffe but the Ballygunner man was unlucky not to have kept the ball out, as he got a touch on the ball but it dipped just under the crossbar.

The goal however failed to ignite Dublin. Austin Gleeson put over a trademark sideline cup but it was cancelled out with a Dotsy O’Callaghan effort just before the hour mark.

Maurice Shanahan hit his twelfth point of the game nine minutes from time and a minute later Waterford were unlucky not to have added a second goal when Shane Bennett miskicked an effort along the ground.

Paul Ryan brought Dublin to within four of Waterford’s tally on sixty four minutes but for his rewards he was replaced by David Treacy straight away.

Waterford wrapped up the win three minutes from the end of normal time when Maurice Shanahan rounded off an excellent afternoons work when he smashed the ball to the net after a good build up.

Dublin finished with a brace of points from David Tracey, the first from a free and the second from a ’65 resulting from a close in free he struck but which Austin Gleeson superbly turned out over his own end line.

Dublin ended the game with fourteen men as Liam Rushe was ordered off by Tipperary referee Johnny Ryan following an ugly blow to the head of Maurice Shanahan.

Waterford will be happy to get over this test and are back in winning ways.

Its Kilkenny next for Waterford where the Déise side will be once again be the underdog, something that Waterford will not argue about.

Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Darragh Fives, Tadhg de Búrca, Philip Mahony; Kevin Moran, Jamie Barron; Shane Bennett, Austin Gleeson, Jake Dillon; Maurice Shanahan, Michael Walsh, Colin Dunford. Subs: Stephen Daniels for Noel Connors (30), Patrick Curran for Colin Dunford (55), Tom Devine for Jake Dillon (68), Stephen Bennett for Shane Bennett (71), Eddie Barrett for Austin Gleeson (71).

Scorers: Maurice Shanahan 1-12 (0-10f, 0-1 ’65), Austin Gleeson 0-4 (0-1 sideline), Shane Bennett 1-0, Kevin Moran, Colin Dunford 0-2 each, Jake Dillon 0-1.

Dublin: Gary Maguire; Shane Barrett, Cian O’Callaghan, Paul Schutte; Chris Crummy, Liam Rushe, Joey Boland; Johnny McCaffrey, Niall McMorrow, Paul Ryan, Danny Sutcliffe, Ryan O’Dwyer; David O’Callaghan, Conal Keaney, Mark Schutte. Subs: Peter Kelly for Shane Barrett (47), Cian Boland for Niall McMorrow (54), David Treacy for Paul Ryan (63), Eamon Dillon for Conal Keaney (66), Oisin O’Rourke for Danny Sutcliffe (71).

Scorers: Paul Ryan 0-5 (0-5f), Mark Schutte 1-2, Danny Sutcliffe, David O’Callaghan 0-3 each, Ryan O’Dwyer, David Treacy (0-1f, 0-1 ’65) 0-2 each, Chris Crummy, Niall McMorrow 0-1 each.

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)