Waterford push All-Ireland Champions all the way

Waterford’s first game in the Munster Senior Ladies Football Championship since 2008 may have ended in a six point defeat against All-Ireland Champions Cork at Fermoy on Saturday afternoon last, but there was enough to be seen that some good days for the game at the highest level within the county are not far from returning.

When Waterford were a force to be reckoned with under Michael Ryan in the 1990’s the side was build on a nice mix of youth and experience, the experience coming from the players who were still playing at the top level that had helped Waterford beat Wexford in the 1986 All-Ireland Junior Final, the first Ladies Football All-Ireland Final to be played at Croke Park, while the youth was coming from successful under 14, under 16 and minor teams that were put together within the county at the time, players who in turn went on to become very experienced players, many of whom won many honours in the game including up to five All-Ireland Final medals as well as several Munster Final medals and All-Stars.

In the last few years some exciting young teams have been put together and many of these players who worked with Pat Sullivan on the underage scene are now part and parcel of his Waterford senior panel, a panel that is likely to include more exciting underage players in the next year or two.

The experience in this years panel comes from players who helped Waterford win seven Munster Intermediate Finals in a row between 2009 and 2015, and appearing at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final Day on three occasions in that time, one of which was last years win over Kildare.

What has also bared fruit for Waterford in recent times is the re-introducing of players like Katie Hannon, Maria Delahunty and Sinead Ryan to the set up having played on and off for the county in the years prior to the appointment of the Dungarvan man as manager of the side ahead of the 2015 league and championship campaign.

Much has been made by some that Cork looked a tired side on Saturday afternoon. It was pointed out that it was the side’s second big game in a week having beaten Mayo in the League Final 1-10 to 0-10 a week earlier and some had also played camogie for Cork in recent weeks.

But it should not be forgotten that for the Waterford panel it was their third big game in a forth-night. They had drawn a hard fought game with Tipperary in the Division Three League Final two weeks earlier and the Sunday before this game the replay with the Premier County went right to the buzzer with Waterford needing Maria Delahunty to kick a free after the buzzer had sounded to ensure that they won the title at the third time of asking having lost the 2014 and 2015 finals against Armagh and Sligo respectfully.

Waterford will know that this is a game that they could have won as they kicked 13 wides over the course of the hour. They also went almost half and hour either side of the break without scoring. But they also will know that Cork could have won by a much bigger margin as they too kicked a large amount of wides, something down in no small part to some terrific defending by Waterford made the Rebelettes often hurry their shooting because they were closed down in numbers by the Waterford defenders.  

At the break Cork were 1-6 to 0-5 in front kicking four scores in a row in the last eight minutes half.

Orla Finn opened the scoring for Cork from a free but it was cancelled out with an effort from Sinead Ryan with Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall and Grainne Kenneally playing a part in the score.

Waterford went in front when following some good work by Maria Delahunty Aileen Wall put the ball between the uprights and the Abbeyside player went from score provider to score getter soon afterwards to give Waterford a 0-3 to 0-1 lead following some good work by Linda and Aileen Wall.

Cork took the lead once more on sixteen minutes when Áine O’Sullivan lobbed Katie Hannon in the Waterford goal and the same player quickly added a point to give the All-Ireland champions a 1-2 to 0-3 lead.

Waterford however showed that they did not fear the All-Ireland champions and following some good work by the Murray sisters Maria Delahunty pulled a point back for Waterford before Michelle Ryan following some good work by Róisín Tobin pulled the sides level.

However this would prove to be Waterford last score for nearly half and hour and Cork would finish the half strong as Orla Finn put over a brace of frees and Orlagh Farmer converted two from play to give their side four point cushion at the break.

While Waterford did not score for nearly half an hour either side of the break Pat Sullivan’s charges did have many chances.

Maria Delahunty had two ‘45’s that failed to reach their intended target the same player had a chance for goal blocked by the experienced Briege Corkery and Aisling Mullaney also had a chance which went across the face of the Cork goal.

Orla Finn from a free gave Cork a double score (1-7 to 0-5) advantage on 41 minutes but they had their numbers cut five minutes later when Co. Tipperary referee Keith Delahunty sent Annie Walsh to the sideline for ten minutes after issuing her with a yellow card.  

Orla Finn made it a six point game before Ciara Hurley clipped the Cork post but Michelle from the rebound put the ball between the uprights it was followed with Maria Delahunty’s third of the afternoon after she was picked out by Grainne Kenneally.

But when Cork had their full compliment of players restored they finished strong as Áine O’Sullivan put over two more points to give her side a hard fought six point win.

For both sides its Kerry next. The Rebelettes have them first in Kerry and then the Waterford have them at home.

In the 1990’s it took Waterford a few years after winning the Junior All-Ireland to break the dominance of Kerry who were queens of the game for almost a decade. It’s going to take Waterford a little while to establish themselves in the top flight again this time. They may have to get out of Division Two in the league as quick as possible and to be playing the top teams in the country week in week out in the early months of the year. But give this a few years and maybe we will see a team that will end the dominance of Cork over the past decade and to maybe prove to be as good as the side that Waterford had in the 1990’s.  

WATERFORD: Katie Hannon; Megan Dunford, Michelle McGrath, Linda Wall; Aisling Mullaney, Mairead Wall, Hannah Power; Emma Murray, Grainne Kenneally; Roisin Tobin, Michelle Ryan, Katie Murray; Maria Delahunty, Sinead Ryan, Aileen Wall. Subs: Lauren McGregor for Roisin Tobin (36), Ciara Hurley for Sinead Ryan (49), Liz Devine for Michelle Ryan (52), Shauna Dunphy for Lauren McGregor (53).

Scorers: Maria Delahunty 0-3, Michelle Ryan 0-2, Aileen Wall, Sinead Ryan 0-1 each.

CORK: Martina O’Brien; Marie Ambrose, Brid Stack, Eimear Meaney; Vera Foley, Deirdre O’Reilly, Roisin Phelan; Annie Walsh, Briege Corkery; Rena Buckley, Áine O’Sullivan, Orlagh Farmer; Rhona Ní Bhuachalla, Hannah Looney, Orla Finn. Subs: Aisling Hutchings for Marie Ambrose (27), Niamh Cotter for Rena Buckley (h.t.), Emma Farmer for Rhona Ní Bhuachalla (47), Shauna Kelly for Orlagh Farmer (57), Áine Hayes for Roisin Phelan (60).

Scorers: Áine O’Sullivan 1-3, Orlagh Finn 0-5 (4f), Orla Farmer 0-2

Referee: Keith Delahunty (Tipperary)

Waterford Ladies make it third time lucky

Waterford made it third time lucky in National Ladies Football League Finals on Sunday afternoon when they beat near neighbours Tipperary in a replayed final at Semple Stadium.

Just over a week earlier the two sides had fought out an exciting drawn game at Clane in County Kildare where Waterford needed a late pointed free from Maria Delahunty to secure another go at the Premier Ladies and this time around they needed another late free from the same player to secure the laurels.

Originally this game had been pencilled in for twenty four hours earlier at Parnell Park in Dublin, a ground that saw Waterford suffering defeat at the same stage in the competition in 2014 against Armagh and in 2015 against Sligo.

To send both sides to the capital this past weekend having sent them to Kildare a week earlier would not have made much sense. It would have been hard to see numbers from both counties travel in numbers, but after Waterford and Clare drew in the National Hurling final at Thurles last Sunday and with the game fixed for the same venue yesterday the Thurles venue was always going to be the ideal venue for the game even if it meant that Waterford were going to give their opponents home advantage for the final. It also made sense in so far that TG4 were going to be showing the replayed ladies football final and the replayed hurling game and to have the two at the same venue made sense.

In the run up to the replayed hurling final last week there was a lot of talk about the cost of the tickets and how the G.A.A. had not taken anything off the cost of the ticket as happens in the championship.

Despite the fact that there was nothing taken off the tickets there was still a sizable Waterford support that travelled to Thurles for the game. however what a pity that a large amount of this support for what ever reason opted not to go inside the ground for the first game on the programme. Had they did they would have got full value for parting with their cash to gain entry for the afternoon’s games as both Waterford and Tipperary served up another very entertaining game.

Waterford in the early stages of this game proved to be the better of the two sides and it looked early on as if they were going to win the game with some ease.

Sinead Ryan opened the scoring with a pointed free and moments later Aileen Wall tore the Tipperary defence apart and played the ball across the goal to the onrushing Katie Murray who took the right option in trying to shoot by sticking her leg out but she saw her effort go to the right of the post.

Maria Delahunty followed up with a brace of points to give Waterford a three point lead before Mairead hit her sides first score of the game crashing home a goal to level matters on the score board.

Sinead Ryan and Aisling Moloney swapped scores to keep the sides deadlocked before Linda Wall burst forward to kick a delightful point after some good work by Róisín Tobin in the build up.

Aileen Wall and Katie Murray kicked points to give Waterford a 0-7 to 1-1 lead as Waterford were beginning to look as if they were going to pull away.

However this is a good team. They had contested the 2013 All-Ireland Intermediate Final loosing to Cavan after which they had two below standard years as some of the counties better players for what ever reason were not part of the Tipperary set up under the guidance of former Tipperary hurler John Leahy.

But they look this year as if they are back to where they were at in 2013 and with Waterford out of the way they will be serious contenders for this year’s Munster Intermediate Championship and for the follow up All-Ireland competition.

A week earlier Aisling Moloney was Tipperary’s standout player but for this game she was well marshalled by the Waterford defence. This in a way led to Mairead Morrissey being their most crucial player in Thurles and was involved in a lot of what her side were doing.

Team captain Edel Hanley made it a two point game when she put the ball between the uprights after which Mairead Morrissey and Aisling Moloney hit points to bring the sides level, something the Tipperary side were full value for such was the effort and pressure they were now putting on Waterford.

The Premier ladies went in front when Mairead Morrissey brought her tally for the afternoon to 1-3 but it was a short lived lead as Comeragh Rangers Katie Murray who has impressed immensely in this years league smashed the ball past Patricia Hickey for the second time in a week to give Waterford a 1-7 to 1-5 lead as the sides headed to the dressing rooms under the Old Stand.

Tipperary proved to be the slightly better of the two sides early in the second half as Gillian O’Brien made it a one point game and moments later Mairead Morrissey shot just wide of the uprights following some good work by Lorraine O’Shea.

Aileen Wall and Aisling Moloney swapped points before Waterford had another attempt to have a green flag waved. Aileen Wall who again impressed in the white and blue saw her effort well saved by Patricia Hickey in the Tipperary goal.

Katie Murray and Michelle Ryan hit points to give Waterford a 1-10 to 1-7 lead before points from Edith Carroll and Gillian O’Brien made it a one point game once more.

Sinead Ryan and Lorraine O’Shea swapped scores as time ticked down and with the ground starting to fill for the hurling replay that was to follow many were wondering if the game would require extra time to find a winner.

Maria Delahunty made it a two point game once more before Aileen Wall shot wide for Waterford to keep just two between the sides.

That lead however was soon wiped out Mairead Morrissey landed a brace of points for Tipperary to level matters 1-12 a piece on the scoreboard. Gillian O’Brien had a chance to sent Tipperary back in front but she shot just wide and with just seconds remaining on the clock Waterford won a free. Both Maria Delahunty and Sinead Ryan debated as to who should take it before deciding it should be the Abbeyside player to kick off the ground from metres out. She cleverly allowed time to tick down and to allow the hooter to sound before starting her run up and brilliantly kicking over the crossbar to give Waterford a one point win.  

Waterford: Katie Hannon; Linda Wall, Michelle McGrath, Megan Dunford; Aisling Mullaney, Louise Ryan, Mairead Wall; Emma Murphy, Grainne Kenneally; Roisin Tobin, Katie Murray, Caoimhe McGrath; Sinead Ryan, Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall. Subs: Liz Devine for Caoimhe McGrath (27), Michelle Ryan for Roisin Tobin (39), Ciara Hurley for Liz Devine (46), Nicola Fennell for Louise Ryan (50), Lauren McGregor for Aisling Mullaney (59).

Scorers: Katie Murray (1-2), Maria Delahunty (0-4, 0-3f), Sinead Ryan (0-3, 0-2f), Aileen Wall (0-2), Linda Wall and Michelle Ryan (0-1 each).

Tipperary: Patricia Hickey; Brid Condon, Samantha Lambert, Sinead Delahunty; Anne O’Dwyer, Jennifer Grant, Claire Mullins; Lorraine O’Shea, Sheelagh Carew; Eimear Myles, Gillian O’Brien, Caithriona Walsh; Aisling Moloney, Mairead Morrissey, Edel Hanley. Subs: Edith Carroll for Caithriona Walsh (30), Aisling McCarthy for Edel Hanley (41), Cliona O’Dwyer for Claire Mullins (59), Aoibhe O’Shea for Edith Carroll (62).

Scorers: Mairead Morrissey (1-4), Aisling Moloney (0-3, 0-1f), Gillian O’Brien (0-2), Edel Hanley, Edith Carroll and Lorraine O’Shea (0-1 each).

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)

Déise loose out in controversial finish

Normally I am not one to give out about referees. Over the years I have attended thousands of games at different levels in both hurling and football, in both the men’s and women’s games. I have often seen referees make mistakes but more often than not, I have abstained from shouting from the side of the pitch like many other peoples. Instead I would mutter something like ‘you got that wrong there ref’ under my breath but might have put it a little more colourful.

After yesterday’s National Hurling League Final replay between Waterford and Clare I did go public on my Twitter and Facebook pages and say I felt that Cork referee Diarmuid Kirwan got it horribly wrong towards the end of the game when he awarded what looked like a free to Waterford in the opposite direction and from which Clare pulled level with Waterford on the score board.  

Sitting in the press box at matches as I have done in the last number of games, unlike those that sit beside me I tend not to count the amount of wides or frees won by either side over the course of the game. Towards the end of a game or straight after a game someone might mention that x amount of frees or wides were recorded and I might make a mental note of it and might use it in my report of the game.

Throughout the game yesterday I was aware that many people were not happy with the refereeing of Diarmuid Kirwan. It was only this morning that I learned one alarming stat, that Clare were awarded twice as many frees over the seventy plus frees than what Waterford got.

Were Waterford a more dirty or rougher team than Clare yesterday. I did not think so watching the game. Usually you would expect the free tally to be fairly even but learning that the Cork man awarded twice as many frees to Clare as opposed to Waterford would suggest that the Banner County got many of the calls to go in their favour, including one at the end of the game which had a major bearing on the result of the game.

I have also heard in the last 24 hours that a referee should not come from a county where a member standing on the line comes from. No doubt that many that were saying this was referring to Donal Óg Cusack’s involvement with Clare. Maybe if we go down that road are we opening a major can of worms for the association. If that road was gone down to you have to check them what county every referee’s wife or partner is if, and the same for the linesmen and umpires as well as those that are on the line for the two respective sides.

Waterford had an electric start to this game as Patrick Curran rattled the Clare net inside seventeen seconds of the game starting after he turned Patrick O’Connor racing in from the new stand side of the field.

The Dungarvan man followed up with a long range free on three minutes and already it was looking as if this game would be a much better affair than the drab drawn game at the same venue a week earlier.

Tony Kelly throughout was dangerous for Clare and he opened his sides account on four minutes. Less than a minute later Podge Collins pulled another back for Clare but it was quickly cancelled out with an effort from Kevin Moran.

Aaron Cunningham and Tony Kelly pulled points back for Clare and Davy Fitzgerald’s side went in front for the first time just past the fifteen minutes mark when Conor McGrath split the posts from a brace of frees.  

Patrick Curran levelled matters once more from a free and Waterford went three in front on nineteen minutes when De La Salle’s Jake Dillon cracked Waterford’s second goal of the game.

A Conor McGrath point quickly followed before Waterford hit four in a row from Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran, Shane Bennett and Jamie Barron to leave Patrick Curran’s and Jake Dillon’s goals separating the sides with twenty three minutes showing on the clock.

Conor McGrath put over a brace of points before Darragh Fives and Patrick Curran followed with another brace from Conor McGrath had Waterford leading by four with three minutes of the half remaining.

Just one more score followed in the time that remained in the opening half, Conor McGrath again proving his worth to the Banner men with his seventh score of the afternoon.

The second half proved to be as equally as exciting as the first. Austin Gleeson and Davy Fitzgerald swapped early scores before Patrick Curran and Tony Kelly did likewise and when Patrick Curran put over six minutes into the half there was just three points between the sides.

The Dungarvan man put over another placed ball before Jamie Barron and Austin Gleeson gave Waterford a 2-15 to 0-15 lead with forty seven minutes played.

Two minutes later the game was anyone’s to win as Tony Kelly blasted to the Déise net to leave just three between the sides after he left a number of Waterford defenders in his wake.

Darach Honan then made it a two point game when he drilled between the posts from close range. Patrick Curran and Shane Bennett put day light between the sides with fourteen minutes to go.

Clare hit three in a row from Colin Ryan, Tony Kelly and David Reidy to reduce the difference on the scoreboard to just one point with nine minutes left on the clock.

Points from Patrick Curran and Brian O’Halloran followed with time ticking down but these were to prove to be Waterford’s last scores of the game.

Clare hit a purple patch in the closing minutes as Colin Ryan and Darach Honan hit points to leave just one between the sides with a minute of added time played.

But there was still time left. Tony Kelly made no mistake from a controversial free in the second minute of added time to level matters once more after it appeared that Jamie Barron had won a free for Waterford seconds earlier and had the game ended like this nobody would have complained and let what ever will be will be in the added two extra ten minute periods. But from the restart Clare won the sliotar and Kelly split the posts to put the Banner men in front for only the second time in the game to the annoyance of the Waterford support.

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Cian Dillon, Patrick O’Connor, David Fitzgerald; Jack Browne, Conor Cleary, Brendan Bugler; David Reidy, Colm Galvin; Tony Kelly, Conor McGrath, Podge Collins; Darach Honan, Aaron Cunningham, Shane O’Donnell. Subs: Colin Ryan for Colm Galvin (43), Cathal O’Connell for Podge Collins (54), Aaron Shanagher for Shane O’Donnell (64).

Scorers: Tony Kelly 1-6 (0-1f), Conor McGrath 0-8 (0-5f), Darach Honan, Colin Ryan (0-1f) 0-2 each, Patrick O’Connor, David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Aaron Cunningham, Podge Collins 0-1 each.

Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors, Shane Fives; Darragh Fives, Kevin Moran, Philip Mahony; Tadhg De Búrca, Jamie Barron; Michael Walsh, Austin Gleeson, Shane Bennett; Jake Dillon, Patrick Curran, Tom Devine. Subs: Colin Dunford for Tom Devine (45), Brian O’Halloran for Jake Dillon (56), Maurice Shanahan for Shane Bennett (67), Thomas Ryan for Michael Walsh (70)

Scorers: Patrick Curran 1-9 (0-6f, 0-1 ’65), Austin Gleeson 0-3, Jake Dillon 1-0, Jamie Barron, Shane Bennett 0-2 each, Kevin Moran, Darragh Fives, Brian O’Halloran 0-1 each.

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)

Late Delahunty score gives Waterford Second chance in League Final

A late point from Maria Delahunty means that Waterford and Tipperary will have to do it all over again to see who will take this years National Ladies Football League Division 3 crown and with it promotion to Division two for next years league.

This was a game that both sides will have felt they could have won but at the end of the hour the fairest result all round was served up.

The two sides will now meet at Parnell Park in Dublin at 2pm on Saturday afternoon next to see who will come out on top.

What a pity however that the Ladies Football Association passed up a possible chance to have this game on the replayed National Hurling League Final replay 24 hours later at Thurles.

It awaits to be seen how many people will make the journey to Dublin from the two counties on Saturday morning from the game from the South East. A rough guess at this stage would suggest that a few hundred from both counties will be inside the ground that is likely to see a figure in the low thousands pass through the turn styles for three games at the North Dublin venue.

How many will be in Thurles on Sunday next also waits to be seen, but a rough guess would suggest that between fifteen and twenty thousand will descend on Thurles.

Had the Waterford and Tipperary game been pencilled in before the hurling game, not all of this number would be in to see the whole of the ladies football game, but if the majority were inside the ground for much of the second half then it would have given the game a fantastic atmosphere as it reached its conclusion and maybe get people to see how skilful the game is and as a result get new players involved in the game as players, coach’s referee’s and Administrators.

Waterford for much of this game were in control of proceedings and at one stage held an eight point advantage on the score board as the first half drew to a conclusion.

Four times in total Waterford were five points or more up in the opening half and at one stage in the second half went six in front.

The G.A.A. down the years have followed the road of other sports in introducing new rules into hurling and football and those involved in drawing up new rules should begin to look at how the Ladies Football Association do things.

Those that know me or who follow what I say here will no that I am no fan of the black cards which have come into play in the G.A.A. in recent years.

I am a fan however of the way the Ladies Football Association does things. When a player in Ladies Football is issued a yellow card they have to sit out the next ten minutes of the game and it is in this time that games are often won and lost.

Eleven minutes into the second half of this game on Saturday afternoon Waterford were five up when Michelle McGrath was flashed a yellow card for what looked an accidental clash. When she returned to the field just over ten minutes later that lead was wiped out. How different would many men’s games finish if the same rules applied.

Both sides had contrasting starts to this game. Tipperary lost Niamh Lonergan before the game and it was only seconds old Claire Carroll had to leave with an injury.

Waterford on the other hand started with a Katie Murray goal on three minutes. The build up to the goal began with a long ball out of defence from Mairead Wall to Sinead Ryan who brought Liz Devine and Aileen Wall into the action before the latter found Katie Murray with a delightful cross field pass and she blasted to the net to give Waterford an early lead.

A magnificent point from a Maria Delahunty ’45 followed before Aisling Moloney hit the Premier Counties first score on six minutes. Another good score from Katie Murray this time resulting in a white flag followed for Waterford on nine minutes but it was soon cancelled out with an effort from Gillian O’Brien.

Points from Maria Delahunty and a beautiful score from Sinead Ryan and one from Liz Devine followed to give Waterford a six point advantage with thirteen minutes played and it was looking as if it was going to be Waterford’s afternoon.

Aisling Moloney pulled a point back for Tipperary on fourteen minutes and from the restart after the score Waterford attacked up field and were unlucky not to kick a second goal as an effort from Michelle Ryan was cleared from the Tipperary goal mouth. The ball was quickly played down field and Gillian O’Brien lobed the Waterford full back line and found Aisling Moloney who got inside them and she found Edel Hanley who finished to the net despite the best efforts of Katie Hannon and Linda Wall to keep the ball out.

Now leading by two Waterford hit the next three scores through Katie Murray, Sinead Ryan from a free and Caoimhe McGrath to go five up once more. Eimer Hayes and Sinead Ryan swapped scores before Aileen Wall crashed the size four off the Tipperary crossbar.

Waterford did manage to kick a second goal two minutes from the break. Katie Murray was fouled on the 45 metre line and when the advantage did not work out for her, the play was called back and a free awarded. Maria Delahunty was brought out to kick off the ground and she found plenty of elevation in her attempt which looked to be sailing over the heads of the Tipperary defence but dipped at the last second and with the help of Patricia Hickeys finger tips dropped into the Tipperary net to give Waterford a 2-9 to 1-4 lead.

But that score was soon wiped out as almost straight away Tipperary had the ball in the Waterford net as Mairead Morrissey and Catriona Walsh linked up with Aisling Moloney who when she got one on one with Katie Murray gave her little chance of keeping the ball out the net.

Maria Delahunty and Aisling Moloney swapped early second hand scores before the latter looked to have a legitimate score ruled out following some uncertainty between the umpires.

Waterford lost Michelle McGrath on 41 minutes following a challenge on Catriona Walsh and while Waterford were a player down, the Premier County kicked 1-4 as opposed to two points for Waterford to wipe out the five point advantage that Waterford held at the time.

Three minutes after the sin binning a shot from Ann O’Dwyer was parried by Katie Hannon but before she could get a firm grasp on the ball Aisling Moloney was in to rob her and to kick from close range for her second goal of the game.

Aisling McCarthy and Gillian O’Brien followed up with points to level matters on the score board before Moloney put Tipperary in front for the first time on 47 minutes.

Sinead Ryan and Roisin Tobin kicked points for Waterford to give the Déise side the lead once more but an Edith Carroll effort on 52 minutes soon had the sides level again and with it the numbers on the field as Michelle McGrath returned for the closing minutes.

Three minutes from time Sheelagh Carew sent Tipperary back in front and it looked as if it was going to be heartbreak for Waterford in a league final for the third year in a row, but 41 seconds from the end, after Maria Delahunty was fouled, she and Sinead Ryan debated as to who would kick from about 30 metres out and it was agreed that it should be the Abbeyside player who made no mistake to send the game to a replay this coming weekend.

WATERFORD: Katie Hannon; Linda Wall, Michelle McGrath, Emma Murray; Mairead Wall, Megan Dunford, Louise Ryan; Grainne Kenneally, Katie Murray; Caoimhe McGrath, Michelle Ryan, Maria Delahunty; Sinead Ryan, Liz Devine, Aileen Wall. Subs: Ciara Hurley for Grainne Kenneally (23), Grainne Kenneally for Liz Devine (37), Roisin Tobin for Michelle Ryan (42), Aisling Mullaney for Grainne Kenneally (51).

Scorers: Maria Delahunty 1-4 (1-2f, 0-1 45f), Katie Murray 1-2, Sinead Ryan 0-4 (1f), Caoimhe McGrath, Liz Devine, Roisin Tobin 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: Patricia Hickey; Brid Condon, Samantha Lambert, Sinead Delahunty; Anne O’Dwyer, Jennifer Grant, Claire Carroll; Lorraine O’Shea, Sheelagh Carew; Catriona Walsh, Mairead Morrissey, Eimear Myles; Aisling Moloney, Gillian O’Brien, Edel Hanley. Subs: Bernie Ryan for Claire Carroll (1), Aisling McCarthy for Bernie Ryan (h.t), Edith Carroll for Catriona Walsh (44), Kelly Hackett for Edel Hanely (54).

Scorers: Aisling Moloney 2-4, Edel Hanley 1-0, Gillian O’Brien 0-2, Sheelagh Carew, Eimear Myles, Edith Carroll, Aisling McCarthy 0-1 each.

Referee: Gavin Corrigan (Down).

Shanahan rescues draw for Waterford.

Waterford and Clare will have to do it all over again at Semple Stadium on Sunday next after the two sides drew after extra time in Thurles yesterday in this year’s National Hurling League Final.

In what was billed as a pre-championship meeting clash of the two sides which is to take place in early June both sides will be happy to get a second bite of the apple as neither side deserved to loose this game.

It had been predicted ahead of the game in some circles that this game might not be the prettiest game in the world and so it proved to be.

Neither side looked as if they were ever going to raise a green flag but did have chances but when they did come about the attacking players came up against goalkeepers in Stephen O’Keeffe and Patrick Kelly who both were hard to beat.

Over the course of the ninety plus minutes played in this game, the two sides shared thirty nine wides and for long periods of time with the lack of goals on the day it looked as if these wides could have cost one side dearly.

Conor McGrath opened the scoring with a free inside two minutes of the game starting but it was cancelled out with a similar effort from Patrick Curran.

Former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly had Clare back in front on six minutes, and they extended that lead a minute late when Conor McGrath put over another free for the Banner Men. 

Waterford had a chance of hitting a goal on twelve minutes but Patrick Curran saw his effort deflected for a ’65 and from the resulting stroke the young Dungarvan man saw his effort go just wide. Seconds later however Waterford did cut the Clare lead to one when Colin Dunford split the posts. 

With the game entering the closing stages of the first quarter Waterford went back on level terms when Austin Gleeson sent over a free, but Clare were soon back in front as Conor McGrath put over a brace of points with Peter Duggan putting one over in between McGrath’s efforts.

Patrick Curran put over a free on 22 minutes to leave just two between the sides, but Waterford had to wait another eight minutes before they scored again from a Shane Bennett free and the Ballysaggart man put over another four minutes later to level matters, but Clare would head to the dressing rooms under the old Stand one to the good as Conor McGrath put over another free for his side, the ninth place ball to go between the posts in the opening half.   

Clare began the second half as they ended the first as Conor McGrath out over a free giving his side a two point advantage. Patrick Curran pulled one back for Waterford only for McGrath to give Clare a two point advantage once more. 

Patrick Curran made it a one point game when he put over from play, but Conor McGrath soon doubled Clare’s lead once more and the same player made it a three point game when he put over a free.

Shane Bennett followed up with point for Waterford and the Ballysaggart man followed up with another to leave just one between the sides and he made it three in a row for him to level matters as it began to look as if it was going to be anyone’s game for the taking.

Austin Gleeson put over a massive free for Waterford as the clocked ticked near the hour mark to give Waterford a one point advantage. The side that were the hungrier, the side least thinking of the clash between the two in June was now going to become champions for 2016.

McGrath levelled matters once more from another free, after which Podge Collins playing in a second league final in a week edged his side back in front.

McGrath put over another free for Clare and it was looking as if it was going to be their day but you can never write off any Waterford side.

Jamie Barron made it a one point game with a good score after which the impressive Shane Bennett levelled matters not for the first time in this game.

The impressive Bennett put the holders a point up with time fast running out, but we have seen Clare sides come back from such positions before and they would do it again here as deep in stoppage time Shane McGrath put over a pressure free to send the game to extra time.

Waterford began extra time in fine form as Brian O’Halloran and Thomas Ryan knocked over points and when Shane Bennett put over a free won by Tom Devine it was looking as if it was now going to be Waterford’s day.

But Clare would come back fighting once more as David Reidy, Tony Kelly and Conor McGrath from a placed ball knocked over points before the break in extra time to have the sides turn around locked at eighteen points each.

Clare began the second added ten minute period the better of the two sides as Colm Gavin edged his side one in front before Shane Bennett pointed once more only for Tony Kelly to send Clare back in front once more with six minutes of the game remaining.

Stephen O’Keeffe did well to keep Clare out in the final five minutes of the tie after which Thomas Ryan pointed to level matters at twenty points each.

Colm Galvin and Philip Mahony knocked over points for their respective side to keep the sides inseparable with two minutes remaining. Clare went back in front with a minute to play when Colin Ryan split the posts to the cheers of the Banner supports who were now dreaming of a first league title since 1978 but no game is over till the final whistle and in stoppage time at the end of the game, Waterford won a free inside their own half the field. Who better to bring back to take it that Lismore’s Maurice Shanahan and he made no mistake as he split the posts to send the game to a replay next Sunday at the same venue.

Waterford; Stephen O’Keeffe; Noel Connors, Barry Coughlan, Darragh Fives; Tadhg de Búrca, Shane Fives, Philip Mahony; Austin Gleeson, Jamie Barron; Michael Walsh, Shane Bennett, Kevin Moran; Patrick Curran, Colin Dunford, Jake Dillon. Subs: Tom Devine for Colin Dunford (45), Maurice Shanahan for Jake Dillon (57), Brian O’Halloran for Austin Gleeson (63), Conor Gleeson for Shane Fives (66),  Thomas Ryan for Patrick Curran (67), Colin Dunford for Shane Bennett (87), Pauric Mahony for Michael Walsh (88).

Scorers: Shane Bennett 0-9 (6f), Patrick Curran 0-4 (2f), Austin Gleeson (2f) & Tommy Ryan 0-2 each, Philip Mahony, Jamie Barron, Colin Dunford, Brian O’Halloran & Maurice Shanahan (f) 0-1 each.

Clare: Patrick Kelly; Oisín O’Brien, Pat O’Connor, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; David Reidy, Colm Galvin; Aaron Cunningham, Darach Honan, Peter Duggan; Podge Collins, Tony Kelly, Conor McGrath. Subs: Shane O’Donnell for Peter Duggan (45), Cathal O’Connell for Darach Honan (49, Colin Ryan for Aaron Cunningham (54), Aaron Shanagher for Colm Galvin (62), Jack Browne for Conor Cleary (77), Colm Galvin for Podge Collins (80+2), Seadna Morey for Brendan Bugler (84)

Scorers: Conor McGrath 0-13 (10f), Tony Kelly 0-3, Colm Galvin 0-2, Peter Duggan, Podge Collins, David Reidy & Colin Ryan 0-1 each.

REFEREE: Brian Gavin (Offaly)

Waterford ladies to make it third time lucky

Waterford and Tipperary clash at the unusual venue of Clane in Co Kildare on Saturday afternoon in the final of this years Lidl National Ladies Football League Division three final, a game that could well prove to be one of the best games played in 2016.

The two sides in the group section of the competition proved to be the best two sides in the Division and in their respective semi finals against Leitrim and Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary once more proved to be the best two sides in the competition with both recording good wins.

This will be the second meeting of the two neighbouring counties this year. They played in the opening round of games back in the last weekend of January at Piltown in Co. Kilkenny.

It was Tipperary that lead for much of the game and were in control at the break having played with the wind at their backs. But Waterford in the second half were able to call on some of their big guns as for the second year in a row, Waterford manager Pat Sullivan having worked with some exciting young prospects on the under age scene in the last few years gave some of them the chance to show what they could do on the bigger stage, but withdrew some of them from the action as the game went on in favour of the more experienced players and this experience stood to the team as they began to eat into the Tipperary lead built up at the interval.

Going into the closing minutes of the game the Premier ladies lead by a point buy a point from the experienced Linda Wall levelled matters and just as it was looking that both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils, younger sister Aileen kicked the winner in a 0-18 to 2-11 win for Waterford.

This is Tipperary’s biggest game since they lost to Cavan in the All-Ireland Intermediate Final at Croke Park in 2013. After that game they appointed former inter county hurler John Leahy as their manager a controversial appointment in some quarters.

This year they are under the guidance Donegal man Gerry McGill who lead the Dublin Senior Ladies Footballers to the All-Ireland finals in 2009 and 2010 winning the latter against Tyrone.

Since then he was ad advisor to the Tipperary ladies football team in 2013 and has also held position in different male football teams in his adopted county where he teaches.

He has seen a remarkable turn around in the fortunes of Tipperary and has got experienced players back into the set up as well bringing in some of the hugely exciting players within the county that have played on successful colleges teams in Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Cahir in recent years.

Under his guidance with Waterford now out of the way having won the last seven Intermediate ladies football finals, he and his side will be very confident that they can win this years final later in the year and to even go on to greater things later in the year.

Ladies Football in Waterford is on a bit of a crest of a wave right now. The county has won a number of underage titles at provincial and national levels and some of players involved in these successes have been brought into the senior set up since Pat Sullivan took over the team at the start of last year and the players many of whom he worked with on the underage front have not left him down for the faith he has shown in them.

Like Tipperary, many of the Waterford players that are coming through at the moment have come through from successful college sides in Carrick-on-Suir, Dungarvan and Ring.

Waterford go into this weekend’s final with a perfect record beating Tipperary, Offaly, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Wexford, Down and Roscommon in the league section of the competition and last time out they had an excellent win over Leitrim at Portarlington.  Tipperary’s only defeat so far coming against Waterford.

Both sides have named strong teams for Saturday’s game. Tipperary look to be set to start with the stronger side. They have named Patricia Hickey (Brian Borus) in goal ahead of Ballymacarbry’s Lauren Fitzpatrick, but apart from that the team printed on the programme for Saturday is along expected lines.

Brid Condon (Aherlow), Samantha Lambert (Ardfinnan) and Sinead Delahunty (Foxrock-Cabinteely) make up the full back line with Ann O’Dwyer (Cappawhite), Jennifer Grant (Brian Borus) and Claire Carroll (Galtee Rovers) playing in front of them.

In the middle of the field the Premier management team have a solid look to it with Lorraine O’Shea (Mullinahone) and Sheelagh Carew (Cappawhite) set to contest the throw in.

In attack Tipperary could case Waterford’s defenders a lot of heartache. Catriona Walsh (Na Fianna), Mairead Morrissey (Brian Borus) and Niamh Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) are named in the half forward line with Aisling Moloney (Cahir) Gillian O’Brien (Moyle Rovers) and Edel Hanley (Aherlow) playing closest to the Waterford goal.

No side is complete without backup and the Tipperary management team for this game will be able to call on Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry), Grainne Condon (Aherlow), Bernie and Aoife Ryan (Cappawhite), Eimear Myles (Brian Borus), Edith Carroll (Galtee Rovers), Maria Curley (Templemore), Kelly Hackett (Moycarkey Borris), Roisin Crowe (Thurles Gaels), Claire Mullins (Aherlow), Erin Slattery (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Siobhan Condon (Aherlow), Aoibhe O’Shea (Mullinahone) and Aisling McCarthy (Cahir).

The Waterford management team have named a team with a mix of youth and experience.

Katie Hannon (Ballyduff Upper) will start between the posts. In front of her Mairead Wall, Michelle McGrath and Linda Wall (all Ballymacarbry) remain in tact from last year All-Ireland Intermediate Final win against Kildare. In front of them Emma Murray (Comeragh Rangers) is joined with Louise Ryan (Ballymacarbry) and Aisling Mullaney (Stradbally) in the half back line.

In the middle of the field there is a youthful but experienced look to it with Megan Dunford (Abbeyside) and Katie Murray (Comeragh Rangers) are set to start.

In attack just like with Tipperary Waterford has a dangerous look to it for opposing defenders.

Maria Delahunty (Abbeyside), Michelle Ryan (Ballymacarbry) and Caoimhe McGrath (Abbeyside) will fill the shirt numbers from ten to twelve while inside them in Aileen Wall (Ballymacarbry), Liz Devine (Kilrossanty/Brickeys) and Sinead Ryan (Ballymacarbry) who captains the team this year are players that know where the posts are.

In the past, Waterford’s bench has won many a game and this time around things are expected to be no different.

Roisin Tobin (Abbeyside), Hannah Power (St. Pats), Grainne Kenneally (Ballyduff Upper), Ciara Hurley (Dungarvan), Nicola Fennell (Stradbally), Caragh McCarthy (Abbeyside), Aoife Landers (St. Pats), Chloe Fennell (Stradbally), Lauren McGregor (Dungarvan), Laura Mulcahy (Ballymacarbry), Bronagh Condon (Na Déise), Shauna Dunphy (Comeragh Rangers), Niamh Power (Stradbally), Hannah Power (Old Parish) and Becky Hogan (Ballymacarbry) are all players that have played a roll to get to Waterford to this weekend’s game with Tipperary and if they were to get a run in this game or maybe even from the start it would hardly come as a surprise.

Don’t be surprised either if others that have played for the side throughout the league but who are not named on the programme were to be added to the team sheet before the game and also to get a run out.

Some statistics suggest that this could well be a very high scoring game as both sets of forwards have been literally on fire in the seven games played to date, but at the other end of the field both defences have proven to be hard to break down and if the defenders on both sides were once more to be on top of their game on Saturday afternoon it could well prove to be a low scoring game.

In their eight games to date Waterford have hit 23 goals and kept four clean sheets at the back. Tipperary in their eight games has raised 30 green flags and has four clean sheets at the back.

Waterford have averaged just over 22.5 points per game and conceded just under 10.5 points a game while Tipperary’s average in their eight games sees them hit just over 23.5 points per game and concede just over 11.5 points per game.

This is Waterford’s third league final in a row. This year’s side will travel to the Kildare venue intent on making up for the disappointments of 2014 when they lost to Armagh and last year to Sligo.

The experience of winning last years All-Ireland Intermediate title will stand to the team in this game and will know that the best way to go into the upcoming Munster Championship and All-Ireland series is on a high and how high can you go into a game other that safe in the knowledge that you won your last competitive game, a game that would mean that another medal is to be added to an already collection of honours for many.

Waterford have it in them to make up for the disappointments of 2014 and 2015. If as expected the game will go to the wire and is not won till the final minutes or even seconds of the game just like back in January when the two sides clashed, experience will be important and so will the bench and Waterford look to be the stronger in both cases but the side wont need telling that they wont have thing easy in this game.

Déise Hurlers Seek Fourth League Title.

Waterford senior hurlers on Sunday afternoon next set out to win what would only be a fourth ever National Hurling League Final when they take on a fancied Clare side at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

The meeting of the two is the first since the sides met at Cusack Park in Ennis in March 2014 when the home side ran out 5-18 to 0-20 winners, a for Davy Fitzgerald’s side that went a long way towards relegating the county they he had managed previously.

As we all know now, Waterford played in Division 1B last year, a division they won with some ease and went on to win the league proper beating Cork in the final. By strange coincidence Waterford as they do this year played the side they were due to face in the Munster Championship last year a few weeks later where again Derek McGrath’s side recorded a win over the rebels and will be hoping that history repeats itself this year.

Clare will head to Thurles looking for a first win in a league final since 1978 and are appearing in their first final in eleven years.

Twelve months ago Davy Fitzgerald’s side were relegated from Division 1A when they lost a relegation play off to Kilkenny, and like Waterford last year came through the Division 1B league this year with some ease and will be looking to do on Sunday what Waterford did twelve months ago winning the league outright from the second level of the competition.

While the two sides at Thurles on Sunday have a big clash five weeks later at the same venue, neither side will go in the game looking ahead of this clash. Waterford certainly won’t. All talk of the Munster Championship and what might come after it will have to be put to the back of the minds of the players and the supporters.

This Sunday’s game is a National Final and when it comes to such events and hurling in Waterford they are like hens teeth. Win or loose the Munster Championship game between the two sides both sets of players will have another chance to win an All-Ireland Medal something every player craves for, but loose on Sunday and whether you or the youngest or oldest man involved you might never get the chance again to play in a league final again let alone win one.

On the respective semi final results Clare will have to go into Sunday’s game with the favourite’s tag around their necks.

Waterford were full value for their win over Limerick but it must be said that the side laboured in the first half, while Clare had a good win over Kilkenny and any day you beat Brian Cody’s side you do well and it will give you plenty of confidence for the next day and will believe now that they can beat the holders this weekend.

Most will expect Sunday’s final to be a cagey affair with defences on top but in the two semi finals we saw the forward units of both sides hit some impressive tallies and if they were to be at the top of their game again this time around then both sets of defences could well be in for a tough afternoon.

It will be interesting to see how both Davy Fitzgerald and Derek McGrath will line out their teams on Sunday, but both would be expected to be along familiar lines.

Patrick Kelly will be between the posts for Clare while the likes of Oisin O’Brien, Cian Dillon, Patrick O’Connor, Brendan Bulger, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan, David McInerney, Seadna Morey and Conor Ryan will fight it out for places in defence.

David Reidy and Colm Galvin could well start in the middle of the field while in attack John Conlon and Shane O’Donnell are reported doubts but is this a case of paper never refusing ink. If they are out however Davy Fitzgerald will still have plenty of options open to him with the likes of Conor McGrath, Podge Collins, Aaron Cunningham, Bobby Duggan, Darach Honan, Colin Ryan and Tony Kelly to call on.

Waterford too should be along familiar lines. Maurice Shanahan missed the win over Limerick and is reported to be a doubt as well again this weekend. If the Lismore club man does not start it will be a blow to Waterford but as we know there is plenty of other options open to Derek McGrath.

Stephen O’Keeffe will start with the number one on his back while Barry Coughlan, Shane Fives, Noel Connors, Austin Gleeson, Tadhg de Búrca and Philip Mahony forming the full back line while Darragh Fives will drop back as well from centre field where he will be partnered by Jamie Barron.

In attack should Maurice Shanahan miss out expect Kevin Moran, Shane Bennett, Michael Walsh, Patrick Curran, Jake Dillon and Colin Dunford all to start in the Clare half of the field at the start but there would be no surprises either if the likes of Brian O’Halloran, Shane McNulty, Tom Devine, Pauric Mahony or Shane O’Sullivan got get the nod to start and if not to play a major part in the game as it goes on.

Expect this year’s league final to be a much closer affair than the one twelve months ago when Waterford beat Cork much easier than anyone expected. Clare after beating Kilkenny in the semi final will have to be considered favourites. Confidence is going to be high in their camp.

But come tea time on Sunday there can only be one winner and I am expecting that it will be the supporters from the Déise County that will leave Thurles the happier of the two.

Wins for Stradbally and Rathgormack in first round of Senior Football Championship

Just two of the six games scheduled to take place in the first round of this year’s JJ Kavanagh and Sons County Senior Football Championship took place this weekend.

Because of the heavy overnight rain which continued right throughout Sunday, the double headers at Kill and Fraher Field were called off in the hours leading up to the games.

Reigning champions Stradbally opened their bid to win back to back titles with a five point win over last years Intermediate Champions Ballinameela at Fraher Field in the first game of this year’s championship at Fraher Field on Saturday evening.

It was last years intermediate champions that opened the brighter of the two teams kicking the first three scores of the game, the first two a brace of frees from Jim Curran followed by a fisted effort from Brendan Phelan after a Michael Shine ’45 fell short.

The side in Blue and White were at this stage unlucky not to have been even further in front as they had an effort from Tom Curran taken off the line by Cathal Cusack.

Stradbally hit their first score of the game on twenty minutes when Michael Sweeney put over a free and followed it up with another effort again from a free moment’s later.

Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh levelled matters on twenty three minutes and a minute later the Cove Men hit the first goal of the game when Shane Ahearne finished from close range.

That score gave Stradbally a 1-3 to 0-3 lead at the break but Ballinameela were unlucky not to have gone in all square as two minutes from the break, Jim Curran and Rob Shine linked up with Brendan Phelan but his goal effort was deflected for an un-converted ’45 by Eoin Cunningham who made an excellent save with his legs.

Ballinameela began the second half by drawing level as Michael Culloo found Rob Shine who beat Eoin Cunningham in the Stradbally goal.

Stradbally however for the remainder of the game would prove to be the better of the two sides as Shane Ahearne landed a hat-trick of points, Michael Sweeney hit a brace and Tony Grey and Stephen Cunningham both hit one each to give Stradbally a 1-10 to 1-4 lead with the hour played.

In the middle of this sequence of scores the Cove Men lost Robert Ahearne after he was flashed a black card by referee Tommy O’Sullivan.

In added time Brendan Phelan pulled a consolation score back for Ballinameela which could well prove valuable at the end of the league section of the competition if Ballinameela were to finish level on points with other sides.

The second game at Fraher Field on Saturday evening saw Rathgormack record a 1-7 to 0-8 win over Brickeys.

Brickeys were first out of the traps in this game with a point from a Cormac O’Grady free.

However for the remainder of the half it was Rathgormack that proved to be the better of the two sides as Conor Murray landed three points, Jason Curry landed a brace and Michael Curry hit one to give their side a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after twenty minutes.

Brickeys did manage to come more into the game in the last ten minutes of the half as Cormac O’Grady put over a brace of frees and Mark Scanlon hit one from play to leave two between the sides, but on the stroke of half time Jason Gleeson hit the games only goal to give his side a 1-6 to 0-4 advantage on the score board as the sides headed to the dressing rooms at the break.

Brickeys in the second half proved to be the better of the two sides but some poor shooting when presented with chances would cost them.

Cormac O’Grady put over three more frees by the fifty-third minute and a minute later Shane McGrath pointed to leave the minimum between the sides.

Rathgormack registered their only score of the second half on fifty six minutes when Jason Curry from a free split the Rathgormack posts but it was good enough to seal a deserved win for his side.

Details have also been announced for games in round two of the championship.

Because of Waterford’s involvement in the National League semi final against Limerick on Sunday next in Thurles, three games involving players involved in Derek McGrath’s Waterford set up, will not take place until Tuesday week.

Ballinacourty and An Rinn get next weekend’s round of games underway on Friday evening when they play at Fraher Field, the game having a 8pm throw in.

On Saturday evening there is a double header at the same weekend. Saint Saviours and Ardmore clash at 6-30pm and will be followed ninety minutes later with the clash of Brickeys and Kilrossanty.

The three games on Tuesday week all have 7-30pm throw ins.

The Nire and Gaultier clash at the Saint Molleran’s grounds at Carrickbeg. Clashmore and Ballinameela meet at Fraher Field while Stradbally and Rathgormack meet at Lemybrien.