Déise Ladies Beat Previously Unbeaten Clare to Secure First Win of 2020

Goals midway through the opening half from Beth Carton and Sarah Lacey and a brilliant save from Ciara Jackman helped Waterford secure a first win in this year’s National Camogie League on Saturday last when they proved too god for a previously unbeaten Clare at Cratloe. 

The home side went into this game in great form sitting top of the league table after two games with maximum points after wins over Offaly and Kilkenny both away from home and with home advantage for the first time in this year’s campaign they expected to keep their unbeaten record intact against a Waterford side that had secured just one point from a possible six going into this game however their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages took a setback as a result of this loss factoring in that they must still play Cork in their last game in the group stages.

Waterford opened this game brightly with two early points the first from Lorraine Bray who put in another outstanding hours work in the white and blue shirt and it was followed with a score from top scorer Beth Carton from a placed ball.

The home side settled after this and by the eleventh minute looked as if they could record a third win in a row as points from Eimear Kelly and Laura McMahon was followed up with another from Eimear Kelly and then Orlaith Duggan to give the home side a 0-4 to 0-2 lead.

However the home side could not follow up on this lead and when Beth Carton cut in from the right hand side and unleashed a shot past Sarah Loughnane to give Waterford the lead once more, one that they would never give up.

The De La Salle sharp shooter doubled Waterford’s advantage when she followed up converting a free into the wind and when Sarah Lacey recovered from injury that kept her out earlier in the league when played in by Beth Carton again finished past Sarah Loughnane to give Waterford a 2-3 to 0-4 lead with fifteen minutes played.

Eimear Kelly pulled a point back for the home side but with wind advantage she put two more wide before Beth Carton made no mistake at the other end. The same two players would again swap scores to keep Waterford’s advantage at five points. Eimear Kelly put over a good score for the home side to marginally cut Waterford’s lead but Waterford would turn around in a good position as Niamh Rockett put over a brace of scores with Beth Carton from a placed ball in between the Saint’s Anne’s player scores to give Fergal O’Brien’s side a 2-8 to 0-7 advantage at the interval.

Not happy with what they saw in those opening 30 minutes the Clare management kept their charges on the field for much of the time allotted for the break. When they did return to their dressing room what was said clearly had an effect on the players. They were quickly back out but were made to wait for the restart by the Waterford players.

Aoife Power scored an opportunist early second half goal for the home side after a Eimear Kelly ball into the Waterford goal was broken down by Áine O’Loughlin to make it a four point game. Eimear Kelly put over a free to make it a three point game and on 39 minutes the home side once more had a chance to eat into Waterford’s lead but All-Ireland winner with Gailltir a week earlier Ciara Jackman starting her first game for Waterford this year made a fantastic save from Áine O’Loughlin to keep Waterford in front.

Beth Carton hit Waterford’s first score of the second half to steady the ship somewhat and quickly followed up with another to put her side back in front by five. Aoife Power pointed for the home side which was followed up with Waterford’s final score of this game courtesy of another Beth Carton score.

The home side pressed hard to get something from this game in the closing minutes. When a close in free was awarded to the home side instead of Eimear Kelly who was on free taking duty on the day, Áine O’Loughlin was called upon to strike. She opted to go for goal but her shot rose over the crossbar and the same player would follow up with the final score of the game to leave three between the sides at the sound of referee Just Heffernan’s full time whistle.

Next up for Fergal O’Brien’s side is a home game at a venue to be confirmed against Kilkenny on Sunday next.

Waterford: Ciara Jackman; Sibheal Harney, Iona Heffernan, Clare Whyte; Aoife Landers, Shona Curran, Lorraine Bray; Caoimhe McGrath, Orla Hickey; Beth Carton, Fiona Morrissey, Jenny McCarthy; Sarah Lacey,  Niamh Rockett, Aisling Power.

Subs: Kate Lynch for Aoife Landers (28), Annie Fitzgerald for Aisling Power (44), Claire Murphy for Fiona Morrissey (57), Kate McMahon for Sarah Lacey (63)

Scorers: Beth Carton 1-8, (0-7f); Sarah Lacey 1-0; Niamh Rockett 0-2; Lorraine Bray 0-1

Clare: Sarah Loughnane; Ciara Grogan, Clare Hehir, Roisin Minogue; Sinead Conlon, Ciara Doyle, Alannah Ryan; Michelle Caulfield, Orlaith Duggan; Gretta Hickey, Laura McMahon, Máire McGrath; Eimear Kelly, Áine O’Loughlin, Aoife Power.

Subs: Robyn Conway for Michelle Caulfield (HT), Bridín Dinan for Máire McGrath (51).

Scorers: Eimear Kelly 0-6 (5f); Aoife Power 1-1; Aine O’Loughlin 0-2 (1f), Laura McMahon, Orlaith Duggan 0-1 each.

Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford)