Limerick win at Carriganore but Waterford are moving in the right direction

Limerick made it two wins from two games as they beat Waterford 2-11 to 0-8 at Carriganore on Sunday afternoon, the second game that Waterford lost by a nine point margin in this years league.

Played in front of the TV Camera’s for the Six-One news on the same evening and also for a posting on the Camogie Associations Facebook Page, the visitors always had the upper hand over Waterford and were 1-6 to 0-3 up at the break.

Niamh Mulcahy was influential throughout for the visiting side hitting 0-9 over the course of the hour, five of which came from play.

While Waterford were beaten by nine points, they had some fine performers on the day with Mairead Power at corner back, Fiona Morrissey at centre back, the centre field pairing of Trish Jackman and Lorraine Bray and Niamh Rockett at centre forward the stand out performers in a team where all players used on the day tried their hardest.

The Waterford management team of Sean Fleming, Chris Dempsey, Ita Murphy and David Murphy made four positional changes to the team that lost out to Kilkenny at Piltown two weeks ago bringing in Deirdre Brennan, Becky Kavanagh, Aisling Power and Sibeal Harney in from the start with Tracey Kiely, Claire Murphy, Zoe O’Donoghue and Kate McMahon the players to miss out, and also made a number of positional changes and in the main will be happy with what they saw in this game.

Limerick too made changes from their win in their only game in the league to date when they beat Cork, bringing Modeligo woman Marguerite McCarty in for Noreen Barry, Deborah Murphy for Sinead McNamara, Muireann Creamer for Cliona Lane all having come on against Cork and did enough in that game to stake a place in the team from the off for this game while Niamh Ryan also came in for Sarah Carey and just like the Waterford management team the Limerick mentors also made positional changes from the win over Cork for this game.

In time to come, quiz buffs might be asked to name the first Waterford player to score on home soil in a top flight camogie game and they would do worse than forget the name of Trish Jackman as it was the Gailltir Club player that opened the scoring in this game on three minutes when she put over a 21 metre free.

Limerick hit back with a brace of Niamh Mulcahy points, both helped over the crossbar by Deirdre Brennan with Caoimhe Costello adding a goal from close range for the visitors in between following some good work by Muireann Creamer and Niamh Ryan in the build up.

Two more Trish Jackman frees on twenty and twenty-three minutes left just two points between the sides in Limerick’s favour but the visiting side would end the half strong, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Niamh Mulcahy who shoot over four unanswered points, three from 21 metre frees in the last six minutes of the half.

There was a lively start to the start of the second half as Niamh Mulcahy and Trish Jackman swapped scores from placed balls inside the opening five minutes before Caoimhe Costello ran at the Waterford defence and shot over the head of Deirdre Brennan to give her side a 1-8 to 0-4 lead after thirty-seven minutes.

Waterford from the restart after Caoimhe Costello’s score attacked up field and quickly got the ball to Beth Carton who saw an effort for goal cleared off the line and when the sliotar found its way to the De La Salle player seconds later another effort for goal came crashing off the Limerick crossbar.

Caoimhe Costello and Beth Carton swapped scores before Trish Jackman put over a free on forty-three minutes.

Limerick added a second goal at the end of the third quarter when Niamh Ryan picked out Sinead McNamara who had replaced Siobhan Enright just before the break ran at the Waterford goal after getting inside the defence and when one on one with Deirdre Brennan she gave the Butlerstown club player no chance as she gave her side a 2-9 to 0-6 advantage.

The final quarter proved to be a even contest with both sides landing two further scores each.

Trish Jackman put over her second ’45 of the game on forty-seven minutes awarded when the umpires at the dressing room end of the ground brought to the attention of the referee that Claire Keating was advancing further than she should when restarting the game after the ball had gone dead.

Niamh Mulcahy put over her eight score of the game on fifty minutes and two minutes from the hour mark Jennie Simpson with her last action of the game got her name on the score sheet.

Limerick in added time hit the last score of the game with the last puck of the game as the impressive Niamh Mulcahy split the Waterford uprights for the ninth time with a free.

For Limerick in this game, Niamh Mulcahy was a constant thorn in the side of the Waterford defence, while for Waterford there was impressive performers throughout the side with Mairead Murphy, Fiona Morrissey, Lorraine Bray, Trish Jackman and Niamh Rockett the pick of the bunch.

Waterford: Deirdre Brennan; Mairead Power, Iona Heffernan, Becky Kavanagh; Claire Whyte, Fiona Morrissey, Charlotte Raher; Lorraine Bray, Trish Jackman; Sibeal Harney, Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton; Aisling Power, Jennie Simpson, Caithriona McGlone. Subs: Zoe O’Donoghue for Caithriona McGlone (40), Claire Murphy for Aisling Power (50), Kate McMahon for Sibeal Harney (52), Saoirse Bonner for Jennie Simpson (60).

Scorers: Trish Jackman 0-6 (4f, 2 ’45), Beth Carton, Jennie Simpson 0-1 each.

Limerick: Claire Keating; Marguerite McCarthy, Lorraine McCarthy, Judith Mulcahy; Rebecca Delee, Fiona Hickey, Niamh Richardson; Mary O’Callaghan, Karen O’Leary; Siobhan Enright, Muireann Creamer, Niamh Mulcahy; Niamh Ryan, Caoimhe Costello, Deborah Murphy. Subs: Sinead McNamara for Siobhan Enright (29), Cliona Lane for Muireann Creamer (51), Leanne Browne for Niamh Richardson (58), Noreen Barry for Marguerite McCarthy (61).

Scorers: Niamh Mulcahy 0-9 (4f), Caoimhe Costello 1-2, Sinead McNamara 1-0.

Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork).

 

League Table Irish Daily Star National League Div 1 Group 2

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Kilkenny	3	2	0	1	60	29	31	6
Limerick	2	2	0	0	31	17	14	6
Cork	3	2	0	1	42	34	8	6
Waterford	2	0	0	2	24	42	-18	0
Derry	2	0	0	2	10	45	-35	0

 

 

Can Déise ladies secure first win of 2016 against Limerick, or can Déise lady keep Waterford pointless

This weekend is a big one for sport in Waterford.

While the Waterford Senior Hurlers will be looking to extend a league winning steak that now spans two seasons at Walsh Park against Dublin, the side that was the last to beat Waterford in the league in 2014, at the same venue in a game that relegated Waterford from top tier of league hurling for 2015, just down the road the county have another team in action.

History will be made at the WIT Sports Campus at Carriganore sometime between 1-30pm and 2pm on Sunday afternoon when a Waterford team take to the field for the very first time in a top flight Camogie game in the National League with Limerick providing the opposition.

Waterford in 2015 had a great year when it came to camogie first winning the Division Two National League Final against Laois in Carlow and then to beat Kildare in the Intermediate All-Ireland Final at Croke Park.

Waterford went through both campaigns unbeaten, and while that long winning streak has since come to an end with a defeat to Kilkenny in the first round of games at Piltown two weeks ago, all involved would have known that the game against ‘the cats’ was always going to be a tough ask to get something from as they attempt to settle in playing at a higher lever that they were used to in recent years, when the fixtures for 2016 were released now some time back, this was a game that the side would have targeted as won which is very winnable.

This is the first meeting of the two sides in a competitive game since they clashed in the All-Ireland Intermediate Semi Final back in 2014, a game Limerick won 0-9 to 0-8 and went on to win the All-Ireland Final a few weeks later.

That game was the third year in a row that Waterford had reached the penultimate round of games in the championship, having contested the All-Ireland Junior Final three years running before this, which shows the progress made in the promotion and development of Camogie within the county in recent years.

Both sides this Sunday even though that game was played less than two years ago are likely to have a much different look to them.

For Limerick that day Niamh Mulcahy finished as top scorer with seven points behind her name and she is likely to play a key roll again this weekend, while Caoimhe Costello and Aoife Shanahan got their name on the score sheet.

Two years ago, Karen Kelly was Waterford’s top scorer with three points. Karen has since retired from the inter county scene, but Caithriona McGlone and Lorraine Bray who chipped in with two points each and Trish Jackman with one are all expected to play a part in this weekends game.

Limerick in round one of the league had a 1-11 to 0-9 win over Cork and on the day seven players that started against Waterford two years ago started against the All-Ireland Champions.

Judith Mulcahy was the only player to start in the same position in both games at left corner back. Karen O’Leary moved from right half back to the middle of the field, Sarah Carey moved from centre back to centre field, Rebecca Delee swapped with Karen O’Leary, Mary O’Callaghan who was in the middle of the field two years ago played against Cork starting at corner forward, Niamh Mulcahy moved from centre forward to left half forward and Caoimhe Costello moved from left half forward to full forward.

Sile Moynihan who started in goal against Waterford was replaced between the posts for the Cork game by Claire Keating, while others to start against Waterford two years ago, Fiona Hickey, Michelle Casey, Claire Mulcahy, Deborah Murphy, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Aoife Sheehan and Mairead Fitzgerald did not start against Cork to be replaced by Noreen Barry, Lorraine McCarthy, Fiona Hickey, Niamh Richardson, Siobhan Enright, Cliona Lane, Niamh Mulcahy, Mary O’Callaghan and Sinead McNamara.

Waterford too showed numerous changes from that loss against Limerick two years ago for their recent 3-16 to 3-7 loss against Kilkenny.

Tracey Kiely replaced Deirdre Brennan between the posts. Mairead Murphy, Pauline Cunningham, Shauna Prendergast, Sinead Cummins, Emma Hannon, Shona Curran, Karen Kelly and Ruth Geoghegan who also started against Limerick in the 2014 All-Ireland Intermediate Semi Final did not start against Kilkenny two weeks ago.

Waterford last year introduced some new faces to the in the likes of Kate McMahon, Beth Carton, Aisling Power, Saoirse Bonner, Sibeal Harney and Brianna O’Regan and when given their chances they have not disappointed.

This year some new players have been added to the panel in the likes of Mairead Power, Ciara Jackman, Aoife Shanahan, Caoimhe Drohan, Niamh Murphy and Niamh Ahearne and when it comes to them getting their chance it is envisaged that they will not disappoint just like those introduced last year.

And while new players have been introduced some that have been away from the intercounty scene with a little while have come back in 2016 and it will be interesting to see will the likes of Tracey Kiely, Fiona Morrissey and Zoe O’Donoghue win for themselves a regular place in the side for the year ahead and then to see who from last year who will miss out.

As already pointed out this is a game that Waterford will have target as one where the points on offer are very achievable.

Just one point separated the sides when they last played in a competitive game. Both sides as already stated are going to be very different sides this time around.

Limerick will have benefitted a great deal from playing in the senior grade last year from the last meeting between the sides, but so too will Waterford be a much more experienced side as not just will winning the League and Championship double stand to Waterford, so too will the successes recorded in the under 16 and minor grade in recent years, as will the experience picked up by players playing in the third level education competitions.

Limerick are going to be serious opposition to Waterford. They had a first round game in the league where they beat Cork and had a bye in the second series of games. Beating Cork is not mean achievement and the win will give the side plenty of confidence travelling to Waterford on Sunday.

Waterford playing their first game on home soil as a senior side are good enough to win here. The only pity is that the county senior hurlers are playing up the road at Walsh Park and this is likely to take from the attendance at Carriganore.

Isn’t it a pity that we could not have both games on the same programme of games. It happens in other counties but for what ever reason it seldom happens in Waterford and when it does the game that would be regarded the curtain raiser in other counties is pushed back to become the second game and the crowd does not stay inside the crowd to support a second inter county side.

Something that might be of interest to some in this game is that a Waterford lady will be lining out in the green and white shirt on the day hoping to deny her home county a hat-trick of points on the league table.

Modeligo woman Marguerite McCarthy is based in Limerick with the last few years and plays club camogie with the Ahane Club. Her performances on the club scene in recent years has caught the eye of the Limerick senior selectors and they have called her up to their panel and has caught the eye with a number of impressive performances.

Last time out against Cork, she came on as a sub for Noreen  Barry and will be hoping to have done enough to win a place in the team from the start against Waterford this weekend.

Marguerite is also a footballer of note and ply’s her trade with the Na Déise Club here in Waterford which picks from players in the Touraneena, Modeligo, Affane and Cappoquin areas.

Scoil Mhuire prove too strong for Coláiste Íosagáin in All-Ireland Colleges Final

A question to begin with, who is the last Kilkenny player to win a Senior All-Ireland Football Medal?

The answer to the above question is one that will have those into their historical facts and figures racking their brains, but don’t do too much thinking on that question.

In this All-Ireland Senior ‘A’ Colleges Victory for Scoil Mhuire from Carrick-on-Suir there was five players from the Piltown area, Emily McCarthy, Lisa Norris, Jennifer O’Dea, Aoife Doyle and Kelly Ann Doyle involved with the rest of the players coming from South Tipperary and the Comeragh Rangers Club in Co. Waterford.

Played at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, the Murray Triplets, Katie, Aoife and Emma all played a pivotal park as did the likes of Kelly Ann Doyle, Keeley Corbett-Barry and Geraldine Power in this win for Scoil Mhuire while for the loosing side, Tarah Ní Shuilleabháin, Grace Ní Shé, Hannah Ní Dheá and Michelle Ní Chiardha all performed well.

The Carrick-on-Suir side never trailed in this game.

They settled quickest kicking an early point through Aoife Murray from a free, but it was soon cancelled out with an effort from Michelle Ni Chiardha. Katie Murray and Hannah Ni Dheá followed up with points for  their respective sides after which Aoife Murray and Michelle Ni Chiardha from a free swapped scores to level matters for the third time.

For the rest of the first half Scoil Mhuire were well on top kicking 1-4 without response.

Aoife Murray from a free got the ball rolling after which Keely Corbett-Barry struck for the games first goal following some good work by Angela McGuigan in the build up.

Geraldine Power gave Scoil Mhuire a 1-5 to 0-3 lead before Katie Murray landed a brace of scores to give her side a 1-7 to 0-3 lead at the interval.

The second half began with Aoife Murray extending her sides lead before Coláiste Íosagáin hit a purple patch as Billy-Kate Huggard, Grace Ó Shé and Michelle Ni Chairdha landed successive scores to cut the Scoil Mhuire lead to 1-8 to 0-6.

Points from Aoife Murray and Áine Power before another Aoife Murray score from a free was registered to give Scoil Mhuire a 1-11 to 0-6 lead with forty-two minutes played.

Geraldine Power landed the first of her two goals to extend her sides lead to eleven points and it was starting to look as if the South Tipperary College side would pull away but Coláiste Íosagáin hit back with a brace of Sinead De Bhuilde goals and a Michelle Ni Chiardha point from to leave just four between the sides with eleven minutes on the clock.

Grace Ni Shé and Geraldine Power swapped scores before a second goal from Geraldine Power for Scoil Mhuire put some further day light between the sides with time ticking down and when Katie Murray followed up with a brace of scores it was looking good for the South Tipperary side.

Keeley Corbett-Barry and Katie Murray laded further points for Scoil Mhuire and Beth Norris goal shortly before the end proved to the last score of the game and one which helped the Carrick-on-Suir College side to a double score victory.

This was a fantastic win for Scoil Mhuire and one that will do a great deal to promote the game in the three counties from which the panel was picked.

The win was all the more special when you consider that just a few short years ago, Scoil Mhuire were competing in the Munster ‘D’ Colleges Championship and are now All-Ireland ‘A’ Champions, proving that when the work is put in the fruits of it will be reaped.

Scoil Mhuire: Cailín Power; Emily McCarthy, Kate Hahessy, Hallanah White; Áine Power, Jodie Nugent, Aoife Doyle; Kelly Ann Doyle, Emma Murray; Geraldine Power, Katie Murray, Beth Norris; Keeley Corbett-Barry, Aoife Murray, Angela McGuigan. Subs: Heather Phelan for Angela McGuigan (61); Cora Murray for Beth Norris (61). Unused Subs: Jenni O’Dea, Ciara Hahessy, Emma Curry, Cora Murray, Lisa Norris

Scorers: Geraldine Power 2-2, Aoife Murray (4 frees) Katie Murray 0-6 each, Keely Corbett Barry 1-1, Beth Norris 1-0, Áine Power 0-1.

Coláiste Íosagáin: Clodagh Ní Shíocháin; Ruth Ní Nualláin, Laoise Nic An Tuille, Eavan Nic Gearailt; Muireann Ní Ghormáin, Tarah Ní Shuilleabháin, Kim Ní Fhearáin; Hannah Ní Dheá, Michelle Ní Chiardha; Laura Ní Chatháin, Billy-Kate Huggard, Lasairíona Huggard; Niamh Ní Chairdha, Niamh Ní Shíocháin, Grace Ní Shé. Subs: Sinead De Bhuilde for Laura Ní Chatháin (HT); Louise Ní Shé for Eavan Nic Gearailt (47); Grainne Ní Dhrisceoill for Niamh Ní Shíocháin (52). Unused Substitutes: Orla Dhúill, Niamh Ní Chiardha, Naoise Ní Mhaonaigh, Orlaith Seoighe, Aifric Ní Fhaoláin, Caoimhe Blennerhasset, Aoibheann Nic Giolla Ríogh, Sinéad Ní Dhonnchú, Sadhbh Nic Uilegóid, Meadbh Ní Ghallachóir, Síobhra Nic Aindriú

Scorers: Sinead De Bhuilde 2-0.Michelle Ní Chiardha 0-4 (3 frees), Grace Ní Shé 0-2, Hannah Ní Dheá, Billy Kate Huggard 0-1 each,

Referee: Mel Kenny (Mayo)

No joy for Saint Augustine’s College in All-Ireland Camogie Final

Despite other attractions happening on the day and a bitter wind, a big crowd showed up at the WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore on Sunday afternoon for this years All-Ireland Senior ‘D’ Colleges Camogie Final between Saint Augustine’s College from Abbeyside and Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School from Rosbercon outside New Ross.

Both stands at the Carriganore venue were almost full with a small number standing in the area between the stands and against the fence around the field ahead of this game and they did not have to wait very long before the first score of the game.

There can be no disputing that on the day the better team over the hour took the winners trophy away with them, but it must be said that the West Waterford college side did have their chances on the day to take the spoils.

St Augustine’s did have chances on the day but many of them were to fall just short of their intended target or went just wide of the posts.

Despite playing second best in the final quarter of the game the Saint Augustine’s girls never gave up and were unlucky not to have hit a second goal late in the game as Elizabeth Phelan did well to keep an effort from Kaiesha Tobin out with three minutes remaining in normal time, but had the Dungarvan club players effort had hit the net, you cant but feel that it would have proven to be a mere consolation score.

The game was just thirty five seconds old when the umpires at the Butlerstown end of the ground were reaching for a green flag.

Referee Gerry McGough award the Leinster champions a free in the middle of the field which Darcy Bolger hit but it was blocked from going between the posts by Shauna McGrath but she was powerless to keep the rebound from the impressive Oonagh Doyle from hitting the net from close range.

An interesting statistic from this game was that Saint Augustine’s hit 1-2, all of which came from placed balls of the stick of Molly Curran who was part of Waterford’s All-Ireland Intermediate Championship winning panel last year and all three scores came from within centimetres of the ’45 metre line.

The first of her scores came on eight minutes when a free on the ’45 metre line which looked to be sailing over the crossbar at the dressing rooms end of the ground dipped and caught Elizabeth Phelan off guard and fell into her net to level matters for the first of four times.

Two minutes later the same player from just behind the ’45 metre line split the posts with a free, but the sides were level by the end of the first quarter as Oonagh Doyle hit her second score of the afternoon.

Molly Curran again edged Waterford back in front on eighteen minutes when she put over a ’45 but the sides would go to the dressing rooms locked at 1-2 each after Oonagh Doyle put over a free on twenty two minutes.

The Friary as they are often referred to came out for the second half all guns blazing. Molly Curran saw an attempt from a free blocked by Elizabeth Phelan between the posts and from the rebound Aoife O’Neill shot just wide.

Kaiesha Tobin had Waterford in front four minutes into the second half when she registered her sides only score from play, a score that was also to prove to be their last of the game.

On thirty five minutes it looked as if the eventual winners were going to rattle the net for the second time through Alison Foskin but a quite brilliant hook by Megan Dunford kept them at bay.

Waterford won a free on thirty seven minutes but Kaiesha Tobin’s effort fell just short and two minutes later the sides were level for the fourth time when Oonagh Doyle again split the posts from play.

At the end of the third quarter Oonagh Doyle taking a ’45 from the stand side of the field saw her effort to give her side the lead deflected for a ’45 on the other side of the field and at the second time of asking she made no mistake.

The same player followed up with efforts on fifty and fifty one minutes before the Rosbercon side ensure the title would be theirs with six minutes remaining as Annie Kirwan tapped in from close range to give her side a double score 2-6 to 1-3 advantage.

Elizabeth Phelan did well to keep an effort out from Kaiesha Tobin on fifty seven minutes as she attempted to make it a three point game.

Oonagh Doyle made life a little more comfortable for the winners on the hour mark with her eight score of the game, the last of the game but Saint Augustine’s did have another chance in added time as a Molly Curran effort from a free was put out for a ’45 which failed to result in a score.

For Saint Augustine’s College on the day they were best served by Megan Dunford at centre back while Molly Curran and Kaiesha Tobin at Centre and Full Forward also impressed while for the winners apart from the excellent Oonagh Doyle, Aimee Hanrahan in the middle of the field impressed.

St. Augustine’s College: Shauna McGrath; Sibeal Duggan, Sarah Morrissey, Kirsten O’Connor; Rachel Donnelly, Megan Dunford, Megan Phelan; Dáiríni Ní Sheanlaoich, Caroline Dwyer; Catherine Hahessy, Molly Curran, Aisling O’Connor; Siobhan Morrissey, Kaiesha Tobin, Aoife O’Neill. Sub: Roise Ni Mhuirí for Aoife O’Neill (43 Mins). Rest of panel: Meadhbh Ni Chuirín, Sinead Morrissey, Saidbh Walsh, Eithine Nic Mhirchú, Áine O’Neill, Kailyn O’Donnell, Clara Curran, Tara Fraher, Caoimhe Kiely, Aoibhin Connaughton, Luice Denzinger, Mary Kiely.

Scorers: Molly Curran 1-2 (1-1f, 0-1 ’45), Kaeisha Tobin 0-1.

Our Lady of Lourdes: Elizabeth Phelan; Niamh Higgins, Rachel Buckley, Laura Hackett; Aisling Cullen, Mairead O’Shea, Darcy Bolger; Sarah O’Sullivan, Aimee Hanrahan; Oonagh Doyle, Alison Foskin, Hannah Moran; Sinead Lanigan, Annie Kirwan, Eimear O’Shea. Subs: Chloe Mullally for Niamh Higgins (47 mins), Rhys Hogan for Eimear O’Shea (49 mins). Rest of Panel: Lauren Dollard, Michelle Kinsella, Jennifer Dollard, Amy Hogan, Oonagh Murphy, Eimear Lyons, Siobhan Cummins, Clodagh Knox, Fiona O’Shea, Ciara Corish.

Scorers: Oonagh Doyle 1-7 (1f, 1 ’45), Annie Kirwan 1-0.  

Referee: Gerry McGough (Dublin)

No Joy for Waterford in first Camogie League game of 2016

History was made in the South Kilkenny village of Piltown on Sunday afternoon last as Waterford’ s senior Camogie team played their first ever Division One league game against Kilkenny.

Waterford made the step up this year to play at the highest level after the side managed by Sean Fleming in 2015 completed a Division Two League and All-Ireland Intermediate Championship double beating Laois and Kildare respectfully in the respective finals played at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow and at GAA headquarters at Croke Park.

While Waterford will deep down be disappointed with a 3-16 to 3-7 defeat, the panel can and should hold their heads high as it will take the side a little time to adjust to playing at a higher level than they were with the last few years.

Make no mistake this is a good Waterford panel.

The match day panel showed that ten players not involved last year in the sides double success were included, some of whom are returning to the inter county set up while others were included for the first time.

Within the county some great work is being done to promote Camogie and the fruits of that work are beginning to be reaped and with some exciting young prospects coming through from the under 14, under 16 and minor teams from recent years, it surly is only a matter of time before Waterford are challenging for honours at a higher level than they did in 2015 and in years previous to this.

Kilkenny had a dream start to this game hitting the Waterford net inside one minute of the game starting as a shot from distance struck by Ann Dalton deceived the Waterford defence and went past Tracey Kiely in the Waterford goal.

Waterford pulled a point back through Zoe O’Donoghue another player returning to the inter county set up this year almost straight away.

On four minutes the home side won a penalty after top scorer Sarah Ann Quinlan was dragged to the ground. Denise Gaule took responsibility for trying to beat the Waterford three lady wall on the goal like but she could find no way past Tracey Kiely who became the second Waterford Camogie goalkeeper to save a penalty in a week following on from Brianna O’Regan in the Minor championship game with Galway at Carriganore a week earlier.

Aoife Neary put three between the sides when she split the Waterford posts on five minutes and three remained the difference between the sides after Beth Carton and Sarah Ann Quinlan swapped scores with eleven minutes played.

Trish Jackman made it a two point game when she converted a free from fifty metres on thirteen minutes but the home side would hit the next three scores in a row to go five up with seventeen minutes played.

Denise Gaule got the first of the three scores from a free. Michelle Quilty followed up with a point from play before Denise Gaule again struck from a placed ball, this time from a ’45.

The next three points also came from Kilkenny players, Sarah Ann Quinlan from a free and points from play from Denise Gaule and Ann Dalton gave Kilkenny a 1-8 to 0-3 lead with time in the first half ticking down.

However Waterford were given a major boost before the break as the brilliant Beth Carton got onto a Jennie Simpson past and blasted past Emma Kavanagh in the Kilkenny goal from close range.

In added tie at the end of the first half the home side ensured that they turned around with a healthy six point advantage as Sarah Ann Quinlan put over another free.

Kilkenny at the start of the second half showed their greater experienced at this level as they put a lot of pressure on the Waterford defence.

For the second half Waterford lost Trish Jackman as she had to leave the venue to head to the airport to catch a flight back to the UK where she is currently studying.

Sometimes you have to wonder if those inside the corridors of Croke Park charged with running games be it in the men or ladies codes are really committed to what they tasked to do.

Both of these sides had agreed to play the game an hour earlier that the 2-30pm start which happened to allow Trish play the full game, but officials at the top refused for some reason not to sanction the earlier throw in.

You have to wonder if they were fully committed to the task given to them, then they surly would be doing all they could to ensure that those that turn up to see games, specially the younger players get to see exceptional talents like Trish Jackman start and finish games as she is a roll model for so many up and coming players.

Kilkenny had a great start to the second half, hitting 1-2 inside the opening ten minutes as opposed to a single point for Waterford.

Sarah Ann Quinlan got the ball rolling thirty seconds into the half from a free and followed it up with another free on thirty-three minutes.

Áine Gannon hit a second Kilkenny goal hitting the net from close range but Beth Carton responded with a free for Waterford to leave the visiting side 2-11 to 1-4 behind.

Kilkenny continued to mount pressure on the Waterford goal and with ten minutes remaining on the clock they stretched their lead to 3-15 to 1-4.

Denise Gaule put over a point before Kate McDonald hit her sides third goal hitting home from close range after getting onto an Ann Dalton pass.

Denise Gaule, Sarah Ann Quinlan and Aoife Neary followed up with having white flags waved.

However credit the Waterford side, they never gave up.

In the last ten minutes they outscored the home side. Iona Heffernan hit a second Waterford goal as she latched onto a dropping free in front of the Kilkenny goal. Beth Carton followed up with a point and Aoife Shanahan on her league debut hit a third Waterford goal and Beth Carton landed another point to leave Waterford 3-15 to 3-6 behind.

There was still time for both sides to add one further score each. Sarah Ann Quinlan was first to score for the home side and the scoring for the afternoon was brought to an end just before the end when Fiona Morrissey another of the players who have returned to the panel this year put over a point.

Kilkenny: Emma Kavanagh; Sarah Kent, Jacqui Frisby, Stacey Quirke; Kelly Ann Doyle, Edwina Keane, Sarah Crowley; Miriam Frisby, Aoife Neary; Denise Gaule, Sarah Ann Quinlan, Ann Dalton; Michelle Quilty, Kate McDonald, Anna Farrell. Subs: Ann Marie Lennon, Colette Dormer, Aine Gannon, Julieann Malone, Laura Murphy, Davina Tobin, Grace Walsh, Miriam Walsh, Katie Power, Meg Farrell, Shelly Farrell.

Scorers: Sarah Ann Quinlan 0-7 (4f), Denise Gaule 0-5(1f), Ann Dalton 1-1, Aine Gannon, Kate McDonald 1-0 each, Aoife Neary 0-2, Michelle Quilty 0-1. 

Waterford:  Tracey Kiely; Mairead Power, Fiona Morrissey, Claire Whyte; Charlotte Raher, Patricia Jackman, Clare Murphy; Lorraine Bray, Iona Heffernan; Kate McMahon, Jennie Simpson, Niamh Rockett; Zoe O’Donoghue, Beth Carton, Caithriona McGlone. Subs; Brianna O’Regan, Becky Kavanagh, Saoirse Bonner, Aisling Power, Sibeal Harney, Caoimhe Drohan, Sinead Cunningham, Ciara Jackman, Aoife Shanahan, Niamh Murphy, Deirdre Brennan, Niamh Ahearne, Jenny McCarthy.

Scorers: Beth Carton 1-4 (3f), Iona Heffernan, Aoife Shanahan 1-0 each, Zoe O’Donoghue, Patricia Jackman, Fiona Morrissey 0-1 each.

Referee: John Dolan (Clare).

A win is a must for Waterford in National Football League

Waterford senior footballers will look for a second win in this year’s National Football League on Saturday evening when they take on Wexford at Fraher Field.

The Shandon Road venue, one of the most used in the country had to be closed at the end of last year for repairs after a huge volume of games played at the venue in 2015 showed as the year went on as the pitch which is usually in good condition began to look like a ploughed field rather than a playing field with many who are regular visitors to the historic ground left to wonder why more games played within the county are not played at venues like Cappoquin, Lismore, Tallow, Ballyduff, Colligan, Ardmore and Lemybrien which are amongst the best venues in the county, something that would happen in other counties when it comes to the staging of games.

Because of the large volumes of rain that have fallen since before Christmas, there is even suggestions that the game will not go ahead at the Dungarvan venue as there is a chance that the field could cut up very quickly and could well be moved to the WIT Campus at Carriganore.

A win for both sides in this game is a must.

Waterford looked to be out of the competition after two rounds of games but are now well back in contention after a three goal win over Carlow last weekend.

Wexford were relegated from Division three last year and would be one of the sides most fancied to go straight back up but have made it a little hard on themselves loosing to Antrim in the second round of games and another defeat this weekend would almost certainly end that dream.

While Waterford have lost two of their three games played to date by a kick of the ball, confidence will be high going into this game.

They had an excellent win away to Carlow last weekend and prior to that game had good wins over Clare and Limerick in challenge games.

A win for Waterford is vital this weekend and if achieved, with the early pace setters in division three (Antrim and Louth) still to play each other meaning that one or both sides will loose points, Waterford as have Wexford still have a great chance of winning back a place in the Croke Park final in the late spring and in doing so winning promotion from this division which is the main goal this year.

Hurney helps Waterford to first League win in 2016

Waterford’s bid to get out of Division Four for the 2017 National Football League received a boost on Sunday afternoon as they recorded a clear cut three goal win over Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park.

Having lost their opening games to Wicklow at Aughrim and Louth at Carriganore, Tom McGlinchey and his charges knew that nothing other than a win at Carlow would mean that their hopes for promotion were as good as over for another year.

This was a game that Waterford never trailed in. Tom McGlinchey’s men took the lead inside sixty seconds of the throw in when Joey Veale split the home side posts.

Carlow responded with a point on three minutes through Darragh Foley to draw level for the first of three times in this game.

Waterford however were soon on top of the home side with Man of the Match Patrick Hurney playing a pivotal roll.

He hit the first of his scores, a pointed free on six minutes and when Waterford won the resulting kick out the same player again had the umpire reaching for a white flag.

Waterford went five points up on seven minutes. Tommy Prendergast and Conor Prunty have built up a good centre of the field partnership for Waterford this year and when they won the ball on seven minutes, the ball was quickly sent into the Waterford attack where Patrick Hurney was again lurking and he shot low past Robbie Molloy for the first goal of the game.

Carlow pulled points back through Gary Kelly and JJ Smith to leave Patrick Hurney’s goal between the sides on the score board, a lead that was stretched by one when Donie Breathnach hit his first score of the afternoon on eleven minutes.

This however proved to be Waterford’s last score till just before the interval as the home side hit four scores in a row through JJ Smith, Brian Murphy, Chris Blake and Alan Kelly to draw the sides level for the second time in the game.

Waterford however would head to the dressing rooms at the short whistle with the smallest of margins between the sides (1-5 to 0-7) after Donie Breathnach split the Carlow posts for the second time on thirty five minutes.

Waterford came out for the second half intent on adding to their advantage on the score board but Conor Prunty and Paul Whyte had chances for goals kept out by Robbie Molloy.

The eventual winners must have wondered would they be made to pay for these misses three minutes into the half when Brian Murphy put over another point to draw the sides level for a third time.

Waterford however quickly got into their stride and were soon on top once more after Patrick Hurney and Shaun Corcoran landed points from frees.

Waterford went five points in front ten minutes after the restart when Patrick Hurney hit his second goal of the game after he was picked out by Gavin Crotty who has impressed in the white and blue shirt since he joined the panel for 2016.

A minute later, Waterford’s lead went to six as Paul Whyte put over a point, but the home side would soon have a purple patch. Alan Kelly and Conor Prunty swapped points before Darragh Foley and Brian Murphy kicked points which was followed with an effort from Tommy Prendergast and then two more points for the home side through Darragh Foley and Derek Hayden which had Waterford leading 2-10 to 0-13 with a quarter of an hour remaining on the clock.

Paul Whyte and Paul Broderick swapped scores for their respective sides before Ed Finnegan and Paul Whyte did likewise to keep Waterford 2-12 to 0-15 in front with six minutes remaining.

Disaster was then to strike for the home side as full back Daniel St. Ledger was sent to the line by Monaghan referee Niall McKenna after he was issued with a second yellow card.

With a numerical advantage Waterford in the closing minutes pushed the home side hard and were able to add points through Patrick Hurney and Michael O’Halloran before Donie Breathnach beat Robbie Molloy for a third Waterford goal on the day.

With the win secured deep in stoppage time, Waterford helped improve their score difference with a point from Patrick Hurney to bring his tally for the afternoon to 2-5.

Waterford: Stephen Enright; Tadhg Ó hUallacháin, Maurice O’Gorman, James McGrath; Brian Looby, Stephen Prendergast, Ray Ó Ceallaigh; Tommy Prendergast, Conor Prunty: Gavin Crotty, Donie Breathnach, Patrick Hurney; Shaun Corcoran, Joey Veale, Paul Whyte. Subs: Michael O’Halloran for Shaun Corcoran, JJ Hutchinson for Joey Veale, Michael Curry for Ray Ó Ceallaigh, Craig Guiry for Gavin Crotty, Liam Lawlor for Paul Whyte.

Scorers: Patrick Hurney 2-5 (0-2f), Donie Breathnach 1-2, Paul Whyte 0-3 (1f), Joey Veale, Shaun Corcoran (f), Tommy Prendergast, Conor Prunty, Michael O’Halloran 0-1 each.

Carlow: Robbie Molloy; Barry John Molloy, Daniel St. Ledger, Kieran Nolan; Gary Kelly, John Murphy, Benny Cavanagh; Sean Gannon, Darragh Foley; Ed Finnegan, Hugh Gahan, Alan Kelly; Brian Murphy, Chris Blake, JJ Smith. Subs: Derek Hayden for John Murphy, Darragh O’Brien for JJ Smith, Paul Broderick for Brian Murphy.

Scorers: Brian Murphy (1f), Darragh Foley (3f) 0-3 each, Alan Kelly, JJ Smith 0-2 each, Gary Kelly, Chris Blake, Derek Hayden, Ed Finnegan, Paul Broderick 0-1 each.

Referee: Niall McKenna (Monaghan)