Déise Ladies To Win

After recording a win last time out when they beat Meath at the WIT Arena in Carriganore, Waterford’s Senior Camogie Team will be looking to make it two wins from two this coming Saturday afternoon when they take on Clare at the same venue, with the game having a 4-30pm throw in.

This game was to have been played last Sunday at Clonlara in Clare but was called off late on when the field was unplayable.

While Waterford would not have minded last week having to travel to play the game, the side could well argue that playing on more familiar surroundings for the re-fixture is going to be a plus for them.

Heading into their first game of the campaign against Kilkenny, there was those within the banner county who the county could have a successful year in 2018 having introduced some exciting young prospects from last year’s minor set up to their senior panel this year.

However they did not have the best of starts to the campaign losing 1-13 to 1-3 against Kilkenny at Clonlara, with the Cat’s turning on the style in the second half of that game hitting 1-9 without response.

Chloe Morey was Clare’s best player against the Cats and will be looking for another big performance from her again this weekend, but they do not rely entirely on her as they have players like Máire McGrath, Róisín McMahon, Orlaith Duggan and Aoife Keane who are all players of some ability.

Waterford will for the second game running be fielding without players from the Lismore Club who are in All-Ireland Club Semi Final duty this weekend.

Even without them Waterford manager Donal “Duck” O’Rourke fielded a very strong side against Meath who they beat 1-12 to 0-6.

Beth Carton was top scorer in that game pointing 0-6 while there was also impressive performances in front of goal from young Kaiesha Tobin who landed three points from play while Lorraine Bray hit the game’s only goal, while Aisling Power on her return to the side for the first time since the 2015 All-Ireland Intermediate Final win over Kildare scored 0-2.

If Waterford are to field along the lines that played against Meath it will mean that Brianna O’Regan will once again be in goal, Iona Heffernan will be full back with Áine Lyng at centre back. Mairead Power, Aoife Landers and Sibeal Harney could also feature in defence for Waterford.

Lorraine Bray would be expected to start in the middle of the field. Last time out she had Clara Griffin beside her who impressed and would be expected to hold her place, while in attack, in addition to Beth Carton, Fiona Morrissey, Niamh Rockett, Aisling Power and Kaiesha Tobin would all be expected to start.

Claire Murphy, Annie Fitzgerald, Becky Kavanagh, Claire Whyte and Jenny McCarthy all came on against Meath and will be hoping that they done enough in that game to impress the new look management team to get a run from the start this time or failing that to get more game time this week.

Confidence will be high going into this game with Waterford having beaten Meath last time out and the side will know that if they were to pull off another win this weekend, it would strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition no harm.