There is something
special about a meeting between sides from Waterford and Cork when it comes to
sport. Whether it is a big Munster Clash between Waterford FC and Cork City in
the League of Ireland at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre or at Turners
Cross or a big Munster Championship game between Waterford and Cork in a
Munster Championship Game at Walsh Park, Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Semple Stadium,
when sides from Waterford and Cork meet in a big fixture, regardless of the
sport, regardless of the venue the site of a Cork Jersey to a Waterford Player
and vice versa brings the best out of the players.
Last Sunday at Walsh
Park Waterford and Cork played in the opening round of games in this year’s
National Hurling League, where despite getting off to a dreadful start, conceding
two goals inside two minutes of the throw in, Liam Cahill got his reign in what
supporters would call a meaningful game off to the perfect start with a one
point win over the Counties greatest Rivals when it comes to hurling. That win
the way it was achieved has many believing that Waterford could have a much
more successful year than the county has have had in recent years and there is
some suggesting that Liam Cahill’s side will be challenging for silverware in
2020.
This coming weekend a
team from Waterford and team from Cork side again do battle. This time hurleys
and sliotar’s will once more be involved. This time two senior sides will be
involved. The only differences will be that instead of men playing as was the
case last weekend, this weekend it will be the turn of the women to show off
their skills and this time instead of the game taking place at Walsh Park the
game will go ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the redeveloped home of the G.A.A. in
Cork.
This is a game where
Waterford will be travelling up the N25 minus players from the Gailltir Club
who are busily preparing for their upcoming All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final
against Offaly’s Saint Rynagh’s at Croke Park, the second year in the row that
the Ladies from the Barony of Gaultier will make the journey to G.A.A.
Headquarters. This might suggest to some that this will mean that Waterford
will travel to Cork with a weakened side but this is far from the truth.
Camogie in Waterford
has grown in stature in the last number of years and at the moment the game is
quite strong. I for one believe that Waterford are not far off winning a major
title when it comes to Camogie and I have been told that there is counties who
no longer look forward to playing against Waterford as even the stronger counties
are no longer assured of a win when they play the side in white and blue.
Despite missing the
Gailltir players for this game and the next couple of games in the National
League, Waterford will have to travel to Cork for this game believing that they
can return home with the points on offer.
Yes Cork were
involved in last year’s All-Ireland semi final where they lost out to Galway
who beat Waterford in the previous round and who went on to beat Kilkenny in
the Final to take home the O’Duffy Cup but it is known that Cork will not be as
strong this year especially in the early stages of the league as they would
have been in recent years.
Paudie Murray will
have to plan without a number of players who were so prominent in recent years.
Aoife Murray has retired from the Inter County game. Gemma O’Connor is not
training with the panel, Orla Cotter has moved to the USA, three big losses for
the Rebellettes.
Katrina and Pamela
Mackey are studying for PhD and are expected to be out for a few weeks. Julia White
is reported to be on holidays while Niamh McCarthy is reported to have left the
panel. Briege Corkery is said to be involved but there is doubts in some
quarters as to whether she will be fit to feature in this game and if she will
it is suggested that she may not last the hour.
Waterford are under
new management this year. Donal O’Rourke who brought Waterford up a level or
two in his two years in charge has stepped back this year and is replaced as
manager by Fergal O’Brien who was part of the Waterford Senior Hurling set up
under Derek McGrath. He has brought Dan Shanahan into his set up as the coach.
I saw at firsthand what he achieved last year as coach to the Saint Mary’s
Junior Hurling Team and if he can get the same commitment from the Waterford
Camogie Team (which I know he will) that he can bring this group of players up
a level or two from what Donal O’Rourke did and who knows we could all be back
in Croke Park supporting them on All-Ireland Final day very soon.
The Waterford team to
play Cork was released this evening and even without the Gailltir players it
looks very strong. Right throughout the side there is plenty of experience and
even amongst the subs for Saturday evening’s game with the Rebellettes there is
players that would find a place on the starting team of many Inter County teams.
The Brilliant Brianna
O’Regan is named in goal. Two years ago she rotated the number one jersey with
another brilliant net minder Ciara Jackman. Last year the De La Salle Club
player was the number one choice and has the chance to cement her place once
more this year as Ciara will be with the Gailltir panel for now.
A full back line of
Iona Heffernan flanked by Kate McMahon and Claire Whyte will take beating,
while the half back line of the very experienced Shona Curran in the number six
shirt with All-Star Lorraine Bray and Sibheal Harney either side of her is also
a very experienced unit.
Caoimhe McGrath and
Jenny McCarthy are named in the middle of the field. Caoimhe is a duel player
who happens to be named as well in the Waterford Senior Football team to play
Donegal at Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon so it remains to see what will happen
there, while it is brilliant to see Jenny back in the white and blue shirt.
Another player back
for Waterford this year is Catriona McGlone. The Lismore player is another
vastly experienced player who for club and county down the years has often popped
up to rattle the net when a goal was needed. Fiona Morrissey is named at centre
forward and is another vastly experienced player. Niamh Rockett is named on the
other wing. What can be said of the Saint Anne’s Club Player that has not been
said already. How she has not won an All-Star in one or both of the last two
years is mind boggling. I have not seen a better player in the games that I
have seen in League and Championship, but hopefully 2020 will be the year when
she does win such an award.
Beth Carton a winner
of All-Star Awards in the last two years is named at full forward. What a talent
that the De La Salle Club player is and was the top scorer in the championship
last year. She could well be someone that will be tightly marked this year but
even if she is her markers will have to be the top of their game to stop her
scoring. Alongside her on Saturday evening will be Orla Hickey from Dungarvan,
a player that always gives it her all wherever she is asked to play on the team
while in the other corner Aisling Power is a player who is around a number of
years now and will not let anyone down either.
The experts will be
making the Paudie Murray’s side favourites to begin this year’s league with a
win, but something is telling me that those making such claims could be very
wrong on this occasion. The side that Waterford is putting out is very strong,
even as said already without the services of the Gailltir club players.
Having seen this
group of players play many times in the last few years I know exactly how talented
this team is. I firmly believe that Waterford are not far from winning silverware
at a National Level in the Senior Grade when it comes to Camogie. I hope sooner
rather than later that people will come up to me (after Waterford win
silverware) and say to me you told us so. For me it would not be a shock to see
Waterford open this year’s National League Campaign with a win. The National
Media if it happens will tell us it was a shock result, but it won’t. Will
Waterford beat Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening? I think they will.