Waterford and Kildare Do Battle For All-Ireland Crown

This Wednesday evening is a big one for the Waterford Ladies Football County Board as its under 16 team will take on Kildare in the All-Ireland ‘B’ Final at the Callan CBS Grounds in County Kilkenny.

Both counties have qualified for this week’s final on the back of good wins in the semi finals where Waterford got the upper hand of Ulster Champions Monaghan while Kildare beat Roscommon on the same night in their semi final.

Kildare in their semi final produced a stunning comeback to overturn a five point deficit with less than as many minutes to go in normal time o the game to beat Roscommon 3-8 to 1-12.

On the night Kildare had Orlaith Sullivan in fine form as she netted all three of her side’s goals, including two in the closing minutes of the game in which time the Carbury player netted 2-2 of the 3-4 which she scored on the night.

          While Kildare came from five points down with only minutes of the game to play, its worth noting that they had a fantastic start to the game outscoring the Connacht Champions 1-6 to 0-4 in the opening half of the game.

Ciara Price opened the scoring for Kildare early in the game and quickly followed up with Orlaith Sullivan’s first goal of the game. And while Roscommon hit back with a brace of points, Kildare however knocked over the next five points in a row through Orlaith Sullivan and Aoife Rattigan which helped them their side to a five point lead at the break.

But Roscommon upped their game considerably in the second half and they rattled up 1-7 without response to go 1-11 to 1-6 in front with three minutes left on the clocks of those watching on.

But it’s what the referees watch is what matters and if the Connacht time took their foot off the pedal in the time that remained, they were made pay for doing so.

Orlaith Sullivan hit her second goal of the game on fifty eight minutes to move within two of Roscommon. And while the Connacht champions extended their advantage to three moments later, there was still time to be played.

Kildare through Orlaith Sullivan went up field and put over a free to go within two of Roscommon once more and with momentum on their side, the Lilly Whites attacked the Rossies goal once more and won a penalty which Orlaith Sullivan took and missed but from the rebound she made no mistake in completing her hat-trick. And it was the same player that brought the scoring to a close right at the end when she drove over a free to give her side a 3-8 to 1-12 victory.

Going on the semi final win Waterford in addition to Orlaith Sullivan will have to keep a close eye on the likes of Sally Murphy, Katie O’Loughlin and Mia Doherty in this game.

Waterford were equally as impressive in their semi final win over Monaghan two weeks ago.

Monaghan on the night controlled the game early in the game. Playing with the breeze at their backs, the Ulster side rocked Waterford with a brace of Hannah Sherlock goals to help them into an eight point lead with just ten minutes played.

Waterford hit their first score on twelve minutes through Aoife Fitzgerald and followed up with Sheena McGuckian and Kelly Ann Hogan which eased the side into the game and despite the unwanted start, Waterford found themselves just three points (2-3 to 0-6) at the break.

Monaghan through Gráinne Tibby hit a third goal early in the second half, but Waterford refused to panic.

Waterford through Aoife Brazil hit a goal seven minutes from time to leave them trailing 3-8 to 1-11. The goal spurred Waterford on and in the time that remained plus the added time for stoppages, Waterford knocked over four unanswered point to run out 1-15 to 3-8 winners.

Just as Kildare had their heroines and players for Waterford to look out for in this game, so too had Waterford.

Rosie Landers was very good in goal. In defence Tao Behan and Mary Kate Curran were strong throughout, while in the middle of the field the contribution of Kelly Ann Hogan and Keely Corbett Barry cannot be undermined, while in attack Waterford had very solid performances from Aoife Brazil, Aoife and Annie Fitzgerald, Sarah Lacey and Sheenagh McGuckian.

Waterford will travel to the County Kilkenny venue hoping to win a second title in three years at this age level.

A win for Waterford would be the seventh All-Ireland title that would be recorded at this age level, as in the past the County have won four ‘A’ titles in the 90s and in 2009 the All-Ireland Shield was won, a competition which is no longer played for.

Kildare are appearing in only their second final at this age level, their previous coming six years ago when they won the ‘B’ Shield Final.

The Waterford management team headed up by Johnny Troy and which includes Kevin Barry, Fionnuala Flynn and Grainne Costello will be drumming it into their side that they cannot afford to give Kildare the lead which they gave to Monaghan and which Kildare had against Roscommon, as it could mean the winning and losing of the game.

Waterford will be able to include players that helped win the under 16 final two years ago, and you can’t but think that their experience will stand to Waterford in this game.

Waterford Panel

Annie Fitzgerald

Aoife Brazil

Aoife Fitzgerald

Aoife Kennedy

Briannagh Nic Craith

Caoimhe Ahearn

Caoimhe Hassett

Carly Dunford

Claragh McCann

Clodagh Carroll

Cora Murray

Ellen Kirwan

Emma Flynn

Emma Power

Emma Stubbs

Hannah Flynn

Jodie Tuohy

Keeley Corbett Barry

Kelly Ann Hogan

Kirsty Green

Leah Sheridan

Mary Kate Curran

Meadhbh Kiernan

Megan Foran

Róisín Dunphy

Rosie Landers

Saoirse Hennebry

Sarah Lacey

Sheenagh McGuckian

Shiona Dunphy

Tao Behan