Seventh All-Ireland Title For Waterford Under 16’s

Waterford are under 16 ‘B’ Ladies Football Champions for 2017 after they beat Kildare at Callan on Wednesday last.

At one point things were not looking good for Waterford as the Lilly White’s lead by five points, but as they did in their semi final win over Roscommon the Leinster Champions lost what appeared to be a good lead but this time did not regain it in the closing minutes.

This win is Waterford’s seventh title in total at a National Level, having won the ‘A’ title in the 1990’s and just under a decade ago they won the All-Ireland ‘B’ Shield and two years ago they won this very same title.

In the past after Waterford won the under 16 title a number of the players involved in the wins went on to win a place in the Waterford Senior team, or the Intermediate team as it was for a few years, and the expectations are that a number of players in this team will also go on and become part of the Waterford Senior set up in the coming years.

Kildare had first use of the stiff breeze at their backs and knew that going into the second half with a sizeable lead on the scoreboard and it looked as if this was going to happen with just three minutes of the first half remaining as they lead 0-6 to 0-1, but Waterford would finish very strong and went in at the break tailing by just one point thanks to scoring 1-2 in those closing minutes.

Kildare opened the scoring when the impressive Orlaith Sullivan put over a free and she had another white flag waved less than sixty seconds later. Hazel McLoughlin further stretched the Kildare lead on six minutes when she was picked out by Aoife Rattigan.

It was important that Waterford did not allow their opponents open up too much of a lead and the side wearing the Blue jerseys opened their account through the outstanding Aoife Fitzgerald who was picked out by the equally impressive Kelly Ann Hogan.

Kildare however were soon back on top once more and hit scores from the boots of Orlaith Sullivan and Hazel McLoughlin with the game nearing its break.

Waterford piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the half and they were duly rewarded.

Aoife Fitzgerald kicked Waterford’s second score of the game which was followed with the most crucial score of the game.

Aoife Brazil attempted to raise the first green flag of the game but her shot was blocked by Ciara Farrell in the Kildare goal but she could not get a hold of the ball and when it fell to Sheena McGuckian she made no mistake in shaking the Kildare net.

Kelly Ann Hogan kicked the nest point for Waterford to level matters 0-6 to 1-3, but Kildare would kick the last score of the game through their most impressive player on the evening Orlaith Sullivan which was good enough to send her side in leading by the minimum at the break.

Waterford came out for the second half with the wind now at their backs and they made full use of it early on as Kelly Ann Hogan levelled matters which was followed with a brace of scores by Aoife Fitzgerald.

Waterford were now in front for the first time and we would see if Kildare like they did against Roscommon two weeks earlier after losing the lead, we waited to see if they could once more fight back.

Kildare did level matters with points from Sally Murphy and Aoife Rattigan but that was as close as they got to Waterford.

When it comes to winning big games its often the forwards that get all the praise and those that play in their own half of the field often get over looked for their contribution.

Waterford goalkeeper Rosie Landers showed why a good goalkeeper and defence is as important as a good attack when she made a brilliant save to keep out an effort from Ruth Birchall after which Aoife Fitzgerald with a brace of scores and one from Sarah Lacey followed thing were looking very good for the Déise County.

Could Kildare and in particular Orlaith Sullivan come back as they did against Roscommon and ruin the night for Waterford.

The Lilly White’s did attack the Waterford goal late on and while Orlaith Sullivan did register the last score of the game, it was but a mere consolation score as Waterford held on for what was a fully deserved victory.

Waterford: Rosie Landers; Cora Murray, Róisín Dunphy, Leah Sheridan; Tao Behan, Mary Kate Curran, Clodagh Carroll; Kelly Ann Hogan, Keely Corbett-Barry; Annie Fitzgerald, Briannagh Nic Craith, Aoife Brazil; Sheena McGuckian, Aoife Fitzgerald, Sarah Lacey. Sub: Claragh McCann for Briannagh Nic Craith (52). 

Scorers: Aoife Fitzgerald 0-6 (3f), Sheena McGuckian 1-0, Kelly Ann Hogan 0-2, Sarah Lacey 0-1.

Kildare: Ciara Farrell; Ciara Downey, Claire Nugent, Eve Kehoe; Mia Doherty, Laoise Lenehan, Ruth Millett; Hazel McLoughlin, Katie O’Loughlin; Ciara Price, Aoife Rattigan, Ruth Birchall; Sally Murphy, Orlaith Sullivan, Haley McCormack. Subs: Ali Cullen for Katie O’Loughlin (28), Deirdre Doyle for Ruth Millett (49), Aislinn Dooley for Ciara Price (56), Gillian Wheeler for Ali Cullen (60)

Scorers: Orlaith Sullivan 0-6 (3f), Hazel McLoughlin 0-2, Aoife Rattigan (f), Sally Murphy 0-1 each.

Referee: Eamon Moran (Kerry)