Murray Triplets Share Four Goals as Waterford Win National League Opener

Waterford gained some revenge for last year’s All-Ireland Quarter Final loss to Galway at Pearse Park back in August last year by beating the Tribes County side at Corofin today in the opening round of fixtures in this year’s National Ladies Football League.

The home side last year contested the National League Final as well as the All-Ireland Final losing out in both to Cork and Dublin respectfully and while they featured a number of players who did not feature in them games in this game it still should be pointed out that many of those involved on Sunday with the Tribes County were part of the County Panel last year and it is only good players that make up the panel of successful sides, even if the only winners medal they ended up with last year was a Connacht winners medal after beating Mayo in a replayed final in Limerick.

The Waterford side put out by Ciaran Curran and his selectors on Sunday afternoon was one that featured a number of relatively newcomers to this level of football, but still contained a number of players that have featured in recent years with a number of players in the set up with medals won in two grades beneath the top flight of National League football helping the Déise County to capture the Division Three final back in 2016 beating Tipperary in Thurles in a replay. Prior to this Waterford had lost the two previous finals to Armagh and Sligo. Two years ago Waterford in their second year in Division two reached the semi finals, losing out to Cavan and last year beat a fancied Kerry side in the final at Parnell Park in Dublin.

The Waterford side put out on Sunday afternoon never feared their opponents and by the sixth minute they found themselves five points to the good after just six minutes.

The Déise Ladies first of five goals in this game came in the very first minute of the game when Róisín Tobin who is one of the most experienced players in this year’s panel won a Dearbhla Gower kick out and as she burst down the right hand side of the field she picked out Emma Murray with a perfect pass and the Comeragh Rangers player made no mistake in finishing to the net.

Fabienne Cooney pulled a point back for Galway almost straight away, but Waterford would soon hit back with a second goal, this time Róisín Tobin went from goal provider to goal getter after she was picked out by Liz Devine.

Galway showed why they were in both of last year’s big finals as they hit back with a Ailish Morrissey goal after she was picked out by Róisín Leonard and when Tracey Leonard followed up with a minor score there was just one between the sides.

Chloe Fennell followed up with a point for Waterford but it was followed with scores from Róisín and Tracey Leonard to tie up the scoring 2-1 to 1-4. Katie Murray and Andrea Trill swapped scores before Katie Murray and Ailish Morrissey did the same to lock the scores 2-3 to 1-6 on the board.

But Waterford would finish the half as they started it with two quick goals. The first came on 26 minutes when Aileen Wall picked out Katie Murray and the Comeragh Rangers player finished to the net. And before the break not to be left out Aileen Wall picked out the third of the Murray triplets and Aoife like Emma and Katie before her finished to the net to give Waterford a 4-3 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Waterford would begin the second half again in fine fashion as they netted a fifth goal this time Aoife Murray was again the finisher following up on a rebounded effort by her sister Katie.

Tracey Leonard hit a brace of scores for the home side who now trailed 5-3 to 1-8. Chloe Fennell hit Waterford’s last score of the game before Galway enjoyed a period of dominance in front of the posts.

The brilliant Tracey Leonard who was named in the Number 13 shirt in last year’s All-Star team put four in a row over to leave her side trailing 5-4 to 1-12. Olivia Divilly reduced the deficit by one as the home side began to lay siege on the Waterford goal, but the Waterford defence remained strong not allowing the home side any sniff at the goals and when chances came their way they had to settle for white flags over a green.

Two more points came from the Tracey Leonard to leave just one between the sides, but for Waterford, the sound of Garryowen McMahon’s full time whistle came before Ciaran Curran’s side would have possibly to settle for a share of the points.

WATERFORD: Rosie Landers; Megan Dunford, Róisín Dunphy, Rebecca Casey; Mairead Wall, Caoimhe McGrath, Maeve Ryan; Emma Murray, Chloe Fennell; Róisín Tobin, Aisling Baumann, Aileen Wall; Katie Murray, Liz Devine, Aoife Murray.

Subs: Caragh McCarthy for Maeve Ryan (50), Abbie Dalton for Róisín Tobin (53).

Scorers: Aoife Murray 2-0, Katie Murray 1-2, Róisín Tobin, Emma Murray 1-0, Chloe Farrell 0-2 (1f).

GALWAY: Dearbhla Gower; Sarah Lynch, Noelle Connolly, Shauna Molloy; Chloe Crowe, Charlotte Cooney, Fabienne Cooney; Ailbhe Davoren, Olivia Divilly; Riona Ní Fhlatharta, Tracey Leonard, Andrea Trill; Lucy Hannon, Róisín Leonard, Ailish Morrissey.

Subs: Leanne Coen for Riona Ní Fhlatharta (29), Lynsey Noone for Ailbhe Davoren (39), Sarah Conneally for Ailish Morrissey (39), Aoife Molloy for Noelle Connolly (41), Chloe Miskell for Lucy Hannon (46), Chelsie Crowe for Chloe Crowe (54).

Scorers: Tracey Leonard 0-10 (7f), A Morrissey 1-1, Olivia Divilly, Fabienne Cooney, Róisín Leonard (f), Andrea Trill 0-1 each.

Referee:  Garryowen McMahon (Mayo).