Two Tribes Go To War

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.