Six Ashbourne titles in seven years for Waterford Institute of Technology

Waterford Institute of Technology with three Waterford players involved (Trish Jackman {Gailltir}, Vikki Falconer {Butlerstown} and Valerie O’Brien {Roanmore}) are Ashbourne Cup winners for the sixth time in seven years after they overcame the challenge of 2014 winners University of Limerick at the Dublin City University over the past weekend.

This year’s final that the two sides had met in the final for the fourth year in a row.

Managed by Kilkenny legend Ann Downey and assisted by Wexford star and former Ashbourne Cup winner Ursula Jacob, Paddy Mullally and Waterford’s Conor Phelan, WIT reached the final after a 3-17 to 0-9 win over NUIG, the goals coming from Ciara Quirke in the first half and then Marie Morrissey and Miriam Walsh in the second half, while the 2014 champions had a much tougher battle to get through their semi final, beating UCC 0-14 to 0-8.

The Centenary Ashbourne Cup Final had to be delayed after the Purcell Cup game which preceded it ended in a draw. At the end of normal time the score stood at DIT 2-12 Mary I 1-15 and after two extra ten minutes the sides could still not be separated. (DIT 2-14 Mary I 1-17).

Another two periods of five minutes were played in a bid to find a winners, but at the sound of the final whistle, the sides could still not be separated (DIT 3-14 Mary I 1-20) which will mean that two will have to do it all over again to see which of the two college’s have their name engraved on the second tier trophy when it comes to third level camogie.

Two players featured on the DIT panel, Deirdre Brennan from Butlerstown and Becky Kavanagh, one of a number of Saint Anne’s players who have caught the eye in the last year or two, while on the Mary I panel were An Rinn’s Fiona Morrissey who won a Purcell Cup All-Star and Cappoquin’s Jenny McCarthy.

Elsewhere over the weekend Lismore’s Sarah Fenton was part of the NUIG panel that lost out to WIT in the Ashbourne semi finals, while Saint Anne’s Niamh Rockett was part of the UCC panel that lost to UL in the semi finals as was Lismore’s Johnanna Houlihan.

To win games, people say you need to do to things, have a good start and to score goals. In this game the Waterford students did both.

When the final did get underway, it was the Waterford side that had a perfect start, hitting the Limerick net inside the first minute of the game, after a high ball sent in by Sarah Crowley to Marie Morrissey who saw her shot carried over the goal line by Claire Keating in the UL goal while taking a step back.

The 2014 champions hit back to a point from a placed ball by top scorer Cait Devane but shortly afterwards, WIT extended their lead when Emma Comerford saw an effort for a point drop short and as Claire Keating attempted to bat the ball back out the field, it fell to Ciara Quirke who was in the right place to whip on the ball along the ground and into the Limerick net to give WIT a five point lead.

Emma Comerford and Cait Devane swapped scores in the minutes that followed, before player of the match Trish Jackman hit the first of her four scores in the final to give the Waterford side a six point advantage.

The 2014 champions pulled two points back through Julia White and Grainne Egan, but a brace from Trish Jackman and a single effort from Emma Comerford soon had WIT 2-5 to 0-4 in front.

The remainder of the half proved to be an evenly balanced affair as both sides traded scores.

Cait Devane pointed for UL only for Emma Comerford to cancel out the effort.  Cait Devane who finished the afternoon with nine points landed a brace of scores only for Trish Jackman to pull one back for the Waterford side.

Before the break Ciara Quirke and the impressive Cait Devane swapped scores to leave the Waterford College side in charge (2-8 to 0-8) at the break.

The Limerick College side opened the scoring through Aoife McGrath but for the 2014 champions, they were relying on scores from placed balls to keep them in the game.

Emma Comerford landed two points for the eventual winners to stretch their lead to seven (2-10 to 0-9).

Cait Devane landed another point for the Limerick College but it was followed with points from Emma Comerford and Miriam Walsh to stretch the Waterford sides lead.

The Limerick students did hit the last two scores of the game both off the stick of Cait Devane, but they proved to be mere consolation scores. It was goals that they needed to get back into the game, but against a water tight Waterford Institute of Technology defence, they were going to be hard to get.

After the final, nine of the Waterford College side was named in the Ashbourne Cup team of the weekend, including the Waterford pair of Vikki Falconer who captained the side to victory and Trish Jackman. Others on the Waterford panel to be named on the team of the weekend were Sarah Crowley, Meighan Farrell, Emma Comerford and Miriam Walsh from Kilkenny, while Louise Sinnott from Wexford, Laura Treacy form Cork and goalkeeper Orla McEniry from Tipperary also were included on the team of the weekend. Fiona Morrissey was the only Waterford player to be named on the Purcell Cup team of the weekend.

WIT: Orla McEniry; Jenny Logue, Vikki Falconer, Ruth Jones;  Meighan Farrell, Laura Treacy, Sarah Crowley; Sheila Ryan, Louise Sinnott;  Patricia Jackman, Julie McLoughlin, Emma Comerford; Marie Morrissey, Miriam Walsh,  Ciara Quirke. Sub Valerie O’Brien for Sheila Ryan.

Scorers: Emma Commerford 0-6 (4 frees), Trish Jackman 0-4 (3 frees, 1 ’45), Ciara Quirke 1-1, Marie Morrissey 1-0, Marian Walsh 0-1.

UL: Claire Keating; Niamh Ryan, Laura McMahon, Ciannait Walsh; Patrice Diggins, Niamh O’Dea, Debbie Flynn; Ereena Fryday, Caoimhe Maher; Sarah Fryday, Cait Devane, Julie White; Aoife McGrath, Eimear Kelly, Grainne Egan. Sub: Ellen Horgan for Sarah Fryday.

Scorers: Cait Devane 0-9 (8 frees, 1 ’45), Aoife McGrath, Julia White, Grainne Egan 0-1 each.

Referee: Jenny Byrne (Dublin).

Ashbourne Cup – Weekend Final Results:

Ashbourne Cup Final -        WIT 2-12 Mary I 0-12

Ashbourne Shield Final – UCD 4-7 DCU 3-3

Purcell Cup Final – DIT 3-14 Mary I 1-20 (after extra time after extra time)

Purcell Cup Shield Final – Maynooth 2-10 Queens University 2-7

Fr. Meachair Cup Final – IT Carlow 2-10 St. Mary’s University 1-10

Fr Meachair Shield Final - Trinity College 2-14 DIT2 0-8

Waterford and Limerick share the spoils

While many will take a draw against a fancied Limerick side playing on their own sod as a fair result for Waterford in their National Hurling League opener over the past weekend, there may well be some that will be disappointed with the final result.

At four different stages in the game Waterford lead by four points and you would expect when this happens that a team would press on and win the game, but for Waterford it did not happen.

On seventy minutes, Waterford trailed by one, and needed a stoppage time equaliser from Padraig Prendergast to get something from the game.

What happened or did not happen however now has to be forgotten. Waterford are off the mark, and have points on the board. What is important now is what happens over the next four games. Both Waterford and Limerick will in the eyes of many be expected to get eight points from eight in the next four games, and with just one side getting promoted every white flag raised and more important every green flag waved is going to be very important.

Waterford won the toss in this game, and elected to play towards the Ennis end of the ground.

The home side had a tonic start to this game winning a penalty inside a minute of the game starting, as Patrick Begley was pulled to the ground and from just outside the 20 metre line facing three men on the Waterford line, David Reidy even with a poorly hit shot finished to the net, which surely will have people asking if the one on one rule is introduced, what chance has the person on the line of stopping the penalty.

OK, some will say penalties are given for a reason and should be scored, but sometimes penalties are given wrongly. And what is the difference between a foul which happens just inside the fourteen metre line and one given for a foul outside it. Both will be taken from the same area (roughly), but for one you could have just one of the line, for the other you could have maybe five and at times even more guarding the net.

Following Reidy’s goal Waterford captain Kevin Moran put over a delightful point, after which Paul Browne again put three between the sides with an effort from distance.

Waterford however enjoyed a greater period of dominance after this.

Pauric Mahony, Michael Walsh and Brian O’Halloran landed points to level matters on the score board.

Gavin O’Mahony put Limerick back in front once more, but the lead was a short lived one as Jamie Barron, Pauric Mahony from a free, Austin Gleeson from distance and Brian O’Halloran with a sweetly struck effort and Jamie Barron with his second score of the game landed points to give Waterford a 0-9 to 1-2 lead, one which Waterford were full value for.

Gavin O’Mahony and Pauric Mahony traded scores to keep four between the sides. Cian Lynch one of the rising stars of the game on the national scene hit a point on his league debut for Limerick only for it to be cancelled out by an effort from Pauric Mahony struck inside his own sixty-five metre line.

Gavin O’Mahony pulled two points back for Limerick before Pauric Mahony again put four between the sides when he put over a brace of frees.

However with half time looming, neither side were finished yet with the scoring. David Reidy put over a free for Limerick only for it to be cancelled out with a good effort from Paudie Prendergast, a first half sub for Philip Mahony which game Waterford a 0-14 to 1-7 lead at the break.

The second half began even enough.

Paul Browne and Pauric Mahony traded scores to keep four between the sides. Limerick however soon ate into the Waterford lead as efforts from Adrian Breen and Tom Condon left just two between the sides.

Pauric Mahony with his eight score of the game soon had Waterford three up after putting over a free, but the sides were not separated on the score board for much longer as Tom Morrissey, one of Limerick’s minor stars for the two previous won a penalty for his side.

Again David Reidy stood up to take it, and while he converted a poorly struck effort in the first half, he connected much better this time, and the result was much the same, a goal for Limerick which locked the sides together, 2-10 to 0-16 on the score board.

There is always interest how a side responds after leaving in a goal, and for Waterford they responded as they did in the first half, a Pauric Mahony put over a brace of frees and Shane Bennett put over one to give Waterford a 0-19 to 2-10 lead.

Waterford however despite being in a good position were not able to press on and win the full brace of points on offer.

Paul Browne and David Reidy shared the next five scores to give the home side a two point advantage.

Points from Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony followed for Waterford to level matters and to set up a nail biting final few minutes to the game.

Played out in front of just over 3500 and in front of a TV audience, on seventy minutes it looked as though Limerick had done enough to start the campaign with a win, when full back Richie McCarthy put over a long range effort.

However, no game is over till that final whistle is blown and full marks to Waterford, no one gave up and with just seconds left on the clock, Paudie Prendergast put over his second score of the game, one that will possibly rank as one of the most important he has ever hit in his playing career.

Over all both sides will settle in public anyway for a share of the spoils, but deep down, both will also be disappointed as they will know that a win was there for the taking.

Next up for Waterford is a home game in Fraher Field this Saturday evening against Laois who lost 1-24 to 0-23 against Offaly last weekend, while Limerick make the trip north to play Antrim at Ballycastle. The Glens’ men last weekend lost 1-24 to 2-20 away to Wexford.  

LIMERICK: Nickie Quaid; Stephen Walsh, Richie McCarthy, Seamus Hickey; Donal O’Grady, Wayne McNamara, Tom Condon; Paul Browne, Cathal King; Niall Moran, Gavin O’Mahony, Cian Lynch; David Reidy, Patrick Begley, Adrian Breen. Subs: Tom Morrissey for Niall Moran (27mins), James Ryan for Cathal King (h-t), Dan Morrissey for Patrick Begley (50mins), John Fitzgibbon for Donal O’Grady (64mins), Seanie O’Brien for Tom Condon (65mins).

SCORERS: David Reidy 2-3 (2-0pen, 0-3 frees), Gavin O’Mahony 0-5, Paul Browne 0-4, Cian Lynch, Adrian Breen, Tom Condon, Richie McCarthy 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Austin Gleeson, Tadhg Bourke, Philip Mahony; Jamie Barron, Kevin Moran; Jake Dillon, Pauric Mahony, Michael Walsh; Brian O’Halloran, Tom Devine, Michael Kearney. Subs; Paudie Prendergast for Philip Mahony, (22mins), Shane Bennett for Michael Kearney (41mins), Stephen Bennett for Jake Dillon (48mins), Martin O’Neill for Tom Devine (56mins), Gavin O’Brien for Kevin Moran (68mins).

Scorers: Pauric Mahony 0-11 (9 frees), Jamie Barron and Brian O’Halloran, Austin Gleeson, Paudie Prendergast 0-2 each, Kevin Moran, Michael Walsh, Shane Bennett 0-1 each.

REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork).

Brave effort by Waterford, but Cork prove too strong

Two years ago, Waterford and Cork clashed in the Under 16 ‘B’ All-Ireland Final at Mallow. Along the way the two sides proved too strong for all they met and it was no surprise to see both promoted to play in the Minor ‘A’ Championship this year.

Both of the sides get their All-Ireland campaign under way in the coming weeks.

Waterford plays their first game on February 22 when they are away to Offaly. A week later Cork plays their first game when they have home advantage against Wexford. The same weekend Waterford will be on the road again, this time crossing the Shannon to play Galway.

On the weekend of March 21 both teams have home games. Waterford play Limerick while Cork play Tipperary and a week later, Waterford have a bye while Cork are away to Clare and in the last round of games on April 4, Waterford are at home to Dublin and Cork are away to Kilkenny. After this round of games, the top two teams in both groups advance to the semi finals where the top team in both group play the second placed team in the opposite group.

To help both sides prepare for the All-Ireland Championship, the Munster Council played the first round of their Minor Championship last weekend.

Cork made the journey to Fraher Field for the game and while they won the game 2-15 to 2-6, the Waterford players and management team will see the game against the Rebels as a very worth while exercise.

Cork got off to a flying start in the game racing into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead after just eighteen minutes.

Top scorer for Cork on the day Kate O’Keeffe hit 1-3 in those opening 18 minutes. She and Keeva McCarthy shared the first four scores equally in the game before Beth Carton landed Waterford’s first score of the game from a free. However, almost straight away Kate O’Keeffe from a Hollie Herlihy pass beat Brianna O’Regan for the first goal of the game, giving the visitors a six point lead, a lead that was extended on eighteen minutes when Kate O’Keeffe hit her four score of the game.

Despite Cork’s start, Waterford refused to give up and on twenty minutes they were extremely unlucky not to have beaten Chloe Casey in the Cork goal as a long ball out of defence by Iona Heffernan was latched onto by Molly Curran and the Brickey Rangers player was unlucky to see her effort cleared off the line by the Cork defence.

A brace of points from De La Salle’s Beth Carton followed for Waterford to leave five between the sides, but Sinead Mills but six between the sides when she hit her first of the game.

Beth Carton landed another free for Waterford, but the home side were not finished yet as from the puck out, the brilliant De La Salle player won the ball and laid it off across the Cork goal and when Chloe Casey was not able to deal with the cross properly, Kate McMahon was in the right place to stroke to the net, leaving her side trailing 1-6 to 1-4 at the break.

The second half began with Brianna O’Regan one of a number of brilliant camogie goalkeepers in Waterford right now, making a brilliant save from Kate O’Keeffe who attempted her luck for a second goal for the visitors. The De La Salle player showed her worth in the follow up as the sliotar spilled loose and in a bid to keep the ball out of the net O’Regan but her body in the line of the Sliotar to again keep it out.

The first score of the second half went in the way of Cork, Sinead Mills putting over to give her side a three point lead, but it was a short lived advantage on the scoreboard as Aisling Power and Dawn Power linked up finding Beth Carton who dispatched to the net to level matters on the score board – 1-7 to 2-4.

However the goal failed to ignite Waterford as such a score often would. It was Cork that finished the game the stronger of the two sides.

Cork cancelled out the De La Salle’s players goal soon afterwards when the impressive Sinead Mills beat Brianna O’Regan to give her side a 2-7 to 2-4 lead.

Cork after this enjoyed a period of dominance as Keeva McCarthy, Lisa Lynch with three frees, Hayley Ryan,  Lisa Lynch again, Anne Marie Ryan and Keeva McCarthy all hit points with Waterford’s solitary response’s coming from Beth Carton with a brace of scores. 

Waterford: B O’Reagan; O Flynn, R Cahillane, L Murray; C Healy, I Heffernan, S Bonner; M Dunford, C McGrath; D Power, K McMahon, M Curran; N Ahearne, B Carton, A Power. Subs used: S Harney, E McGrath, A Shanahan, R Uniacke, C Hahessy.

Scorers: B Carton 1-6 (4fs); K McMahon 1-0.

Cork: C Casey; K Falvey, N O’Farrell, E Casey; E Twomey, R Walsh, R Sheehan; H Herlihy, L McEvoy; K McCarthy, L Lynch, H Looney; S Mills, K O’Keefe, H Ryan. Subs used: L Kelly, AR Ryan, A O’Callaghan.

Scorers: K O’Keefe 1-3; S Mills 1-2; L Lynch (4fs); K McCarthy 0-4 each; H Ryan, AR Ryan 0-1 each.

Referee: Ger Browne (Tipperary).

First defeat of 2015 for 14 man Waterford

If you are a regular reader of what I upload on this blog, thank you.

Regular readers will also know that when it comes to writing about Gaelic Football I am not a happy camper in recent years.

When it comes to Red and Yellow cards, unlike many I have no issue with them. To me they are a God send. Before they came into use it was very hard to work out if a player was booked, and when a player was sent off we were often wondering was the player sent off having received two bookings or was the player sent off without having received a booking previously.

Before the introduction of the cards, things happened just as they do right now. A player often got a warning for a minor incident. When found guilty of a second offence, the referee booked a player and if the same player was found guilty of another minor enough incident the player was again asked for their name by the referee and were sent off. Of course some players did not get a second or third chance. If an incident was deemed to be serious enough a player was sent off straight away.

The introduction of the red and yellow cards ended a lot of that confusion. Those watching games can since the introduction of the red and yellow cards can not easily (most of the time anyway), identify players that have to be careful for the rest of the game.

The introduction of the black card however is something that I have concerns about.

From the moment it was announced that the black card was going to be introduced into Gaelic Football, I have said that those responsible for tweaking the rules of the game every few years were getting it completely wrong.

Yes something had to be done to curb the cynical play that has come into the game. To me issuing players with a black card, sending them off the field of play, only for them to be replaced by another player from the subs list was all wrong. I have tried to argue that teams would use the rule to their advantage and they are. I have also questioned as to whether those that those that voted in the changes were aware what they were doing. Were they merely doing what they were told what they had to do from higher up the GAA ladder.

I have said however that the GAA should have gone down the Ladies Football road. When Ladies Football was formally played from 1974 onwards, certain fouls were not allowed, but in the 90’s as the game was starting to grow, fouls that were not allowed began to come more and more into the game. Something had to be done before someone was seriously hurt, so a few years back a list of fouls that were not allowed was drawn up and any player found guilty of using them or constantly committed slightly lesser fouls were to be given a yellow card by the referee and after receiving a yellow card would be sin binned for ten minutes and no player would be allowed on to replace them. In that time the opposition were given a chance to punish their opponents more than they would if they were merely given a free kick. The end result – Ladies Football is now a more enjoyable game than it was for a few years before the rule was brought in, as players always have to think before they do anything as their actions could have a consequence for the rest of the panel of which they are a part of.

Had the GAA operated the same rules as the Ladies Football, you have to wonder would we have had a different outcome to the National Football League game between Offaly and Waterford in Tullamore last Sunday.

Let’s get this straight, on the day the better side won, and Offaly have to be congratulated on their win, ending Waterford’s unbeaten competitive run in 2015, so please don’t let anyone think that this is any form of sour grapes.

On Sunday afternoon Offaly had three black cards issued to their players. Had Offaly had their numbers cut each time they had a black card waved at their players by Kerry referee Sean Joy would the game have a different outcome.

Corner back Joseph O’Connor received the firs black card on 35 minutes his side would have ended the first half with 14 players and began the second also with 14.

Corner forward William Mulhall was next to see black on 41 minutes which would have meant that Offaly’s 14 would be cut to 13 for a short while and on 59 minutes they had substitute Anton Sullivan sin binned meaning that the home side would be back down to 14 till normal time was almost up.

Had Offaly not been allowed to replace players that were issued a black card for ten minutes when they could send back on the same player or to replace him with one of their subs, and Waterford were to kick two or three points while with a numerical advantage would the game have a different outcome? We will never know, but wouldn’t it be interesting to find out sometime.

As stated already, on the day the home side were the better of the two sides and deserved their win on the day.

They opened the scoring on five minutes through Joseph O’Connor. Before this however, Waterford were in a spot of trouble as Shane Ahearne in the first minute was booked by the Kerry official. Eighteen minutes later the towering Stradbally man was given a second yellow following some play acting that you would associate more with other sports than GAA in recent years.

The Stradbally man however before his controversial dismissal levelled matters when he put over a free on eleven minutes, but the next two scores went the way of the home side through William Mulhall and Ruairi Allen to give them a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. Soon afterwards the referee was the centre of attention when he sent off the Stradbally man.

Michael O’Halloran and Nigel Dunne traded scores in a four minute spell to keep Offaly two in front, but it was not to remain that way for long, as Waterford took the lead on twenty eight minutes when Michael O’Halloran effort dropped short and Michael Curry was in the right place at the right time to fist past Alan Mulhall in the Offaly goal.

Declan Hogan levelled matters for the second time in the game four minutes from the break, but Waterford would go in at the break leading by one after Paul Whyte put over a free shortly before the break.

Offaly leveled (1-3 to 0-6) five minutes in to the second half when William Mulhall put over his second of the afternoon. Niall McNamee who replaced Mulhall after he collected his black card put Offaly back in front soon after coming on. Patrick Hurney levelled matters on forty-seven minutes, but this was to prove to be the visitors last score of the afternoon.

Nigel Dunne from a free sent Offaly back in front on fifty minutes. Niall McNamee followed up with his second of the game before Derek Hogan and Bernard Allen landed points for the home side.

The scoring was complete when Nigel Dunne put over his third of the game eight minutes from time and midfield player Graham Guilfoyle completed the scoring two minutes later.

This was Waterford’s sixth competitive game (four in McGrath Cup and two in the League) in six weeks. The side have a little time off before their next game which is against Carlow under the lights in Fraher Field at the end of the month, a game that Waterford will feel that the points are there for the taking.

OFFALY: Alan Mulhall; Daithi Brady, Paul McConway, Joseph O’Connor; Cian Donohue, Johnny Maloney, Declan Hogan; Graham Guilfoyle, Ruairi Allen; Keith Mullally, Pauric Sullivan, Nigel Bracken; Bernard Allen, Nigel Dunne, William Mulhall. Subs: Eoin Rigney for Joseph O’Connor (black card 36 mins), Niall McNamee for Willie Mulhall (black card 41 mins), Anton Sullivan for Nigel Bracken (44 mins), Niall Geraghty for Keith Mullally (59 mins), Conor McNamee for Anton Sullivan (black card 59 mins), John Ledwith for Daithi Brady (65 mins). 

Scorers: Nigel Dunne 0-3 (1f), William Mulhall (1f), Declan Hogan, Niall McNamee 0-2 each, Joseph O’Connor, Ruairi Allen, Bernard Allen, Graham Guilfoyle 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: Stephen Enright; Dean Crowley, Ray O’Ceallaigh, Thomas O’Gorman; Tadhg O hUallachain, Maurice O’Gorman, Conor Phelan; Shane Aherne, Tommy Prendergast; Michael Curry, Michael O’Halloran, Patrick Hurney; Mark Fercombe, Joey Veale, Gavin Nugent. Subs: Paul Whyte for Joey Veale (22 mins), Oran Keevers for Michael Curry (46 mins), Niall Walsh for Paul Whyte (64 mins), JJ Hutchinson for Mark Ferncombe (62 mins), Jason Curry for Gavin Nugent (66 mins).

Scorers: Michael Curry 1-0, Shane Ahearne (f), Michael O’Halloran, Paul Whyte (F), Patrick Hurney 0-1 each.

Referee: Sean Joy (Kerry).

 

2 from 2 for Waterford Ladies

Waterford Intermediate Ladies Footballers made it two wins from two games in this year’s Tesco Homegrown National Football League when they recorded a facile victory over a fancied Fermanagh side at Fraher Field on Sunday afternoon last.

Waterford in the first round of games were made to work very hard to earn a first round victory a week earlier when 2014 Junior All-Ireland Champions Wexford visited the same venue and the side were set for another massive battle this past weekend.

Fermanagh had not played a competitive game since their 6-16 to 1-10 loss to Down in last year’s Intermediate All-Ireland Final, as their opening round game against Tipperary who were beaten in the All-Ireland Intermediate Final twelve months earlier was called off because of the weather.

Waterford manager Pat Sullivan and his selectors in picking the team to face the Ulster side opted to make two changes to the team which beat Wexford, bringing in Grainne Kenneally who missed the game with Wexford as she was assisting Lismore in their All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie semi Final on the same day and Mairead Wall who came on for Mary Kate Morrissey late in the game with Wexford, Margaret Revins and Shauna Dunphy the players to move out.

There were also some positional changes as Hannah Landers moved from centre field in the game with Wexford to wing forward in the absence of Shauna Dunphy and Mairead Wall slotted into the middle of the field position.

It was the Ulster side that got off to the best start in this game as Sharon Little opened the scoring inside five minutes, but from this point on there was only one side ever going to win this game.

Waterford however wasted no time in hitting back as a brace of Maria Delahunty points followed to give Waterford a lead that would never be lost. Team captain Linda Wall followed up with a point on the quarter of an hour mark after some good work by Megan Dunford and Hannah Landers.

Over the years Waterford has produced some great players. In more recent years one of these players is Elaine Power. The Tramore Club player has moved from centre field to the half back line this year and has settled into her new position like a duck to water. She broke up a good Fermanagh movement and then went on an excellent run before blasting the ball to the roof of Róisín Gleeson’s net to give Waterford a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

Grainne Kenneally extended Waterford’s lead with a point but it was cancelled out shortly afterwards with an effort from Joanne Doonan.

Fermanagh however will feel that they should have been closer to Waterford at this stage as between Grainne Kenneally’s and Joanne Doonan’s effort for the second week running Waterford gave away a penalty. Against Wexford ? beat Katie Hannon for a late consolation goal for the Model County, but this time the ball did not get past her as Caroline Little saw her effort come back off the post.

Waterford before the break sealed the victory as they kicked some late important scores.

A effort from Sinead Ryan hit the post but Mary Kate Morrissey was in the right place to capitalise to finish to the net and a minute later Michelle Ryan hit Waterford’s third goal of the game.

Before the break however there was still time to keep the score board operator busy as Hannah Landers another of the Waterford players that has impressed immensely in the last few years kicked a brace of scores to give Waterford a 3-6 to 0-2 lead at the mid point stage of the game.

Waterford at the start of the second half started where they had left off.

Grainne Kenneally hit a point a minute into the second half. Two former Waterford captains then linked up, for another Waterford score as Michelle McGrath set up Michelle Ryan to give Waterford a 3-8 to 0-2 lead.

Sinead Ryan in last year’s County Final made a huge impact after coming on as a sub and it was no real surprise to see her recalled to the inter county set up this year following that performance. She hit Waterford’s fourth goal having been set up by Aoife Murray who had just come on for Michelle Ryan.

Sinead Ryan followed up with a free and Aoife Murray and Aileen Wall also landed points to extend Waterford’s lead.

Noelle Connolly pulled a point back for Fermanagh, their third and final of the game, but Waterford as they had all throughout the game finished strong as Aileen Wall kicked a point and the scoring was rounded off in the last minute of the game as Margaret Revins after coming on finished to the net. The Old Parish Club player was unlucky before she hit the net late on not to have done so earlier as she drew a good save from Róisín Gleeson in the Fermanagh goal.

Waterford have no game this coming week, but play Sligo in Fraher Field on February 22 where they will be looking to gain revenge for the defeat they experienced in Sligo last year.

Waterford Panel: 1. Katie Hannon, 2. Megan Dunford, 3. Karen McGrath, 4. Emma Murray, 5. Michelle McGrath, 6. Elaine Power, 7. Caoimhe McGrath, 8. Mary Kate Morrissey, 9. Mairead Wall, 10. Linda Wall, 11. Grainne Kenneally, 12. Hannah Landers, 13. Maria Delahunty, 14. Sinead Ryan, 15. Michelle Ryan, 16. Clodagh Walsh, 17. Mary Foley, 18. Nora Dunphy, 19. Aoife Murray, 20. Shauna Dunphy, 21. Nicola Fennell, 22. Liz Devine, 23. Aileen Wall, 24. Emer Scanlon, 25. Kate McGrath, 26. Ciara Hurley, 27. Lauren McGregor, 28. Margaret Revins, 29. Aoife Dunne, 30. Mairead Power, 31. Louise Ryan, 32. Aoife Landers, 33. Dede Fahy, 34. Eimear Fennell.

Scorers: Maria Delahunty 1-2, Sinead Ryan, Michelle Ryan 1-1 each, Elaine Power, Margaret Revins 1-0 each, Grainne Kenneally, Hannah Landers, Aileen Wall 0-2 each, Linda Wall, Aoife Murray 0-1 each.

Fermanagh Panel: 1. Róisín Gleeson, 2. Shannon McQuade, 3. Lynne McFreddrick, 4. Danielle Maguire, 5. Shauna Hamilton, 6. Tara Little, 7. Marcella Monaghan, 8. Áine McHugh, 9. Naoimhin Daly, 10. Noelle Connolly, 11. Caroline Little, 12. Joanne Donnan, 13. Sarah McCausland, 14. Aisling Moane, 15. Sharon Little, 16. Shauna Murphy, 17. Rion Gallagher, 18. Edel Campbell, 19. Róisín O’Reilly, 20. Maura McDonald, 21. Maria Connolly, 22. Martina McDonald, 23. Aileen Moane, 24. Ciara Durnien, 25. Brenda Bannon, 26. Michelle Trotter, 27. Collette Cassidy, 28. Laura McFarland.

Scorers: Sharon Little, Joanne Doonan, Noelle Connolly 0-1 each.

Referee: Kevin Phelan

 

Results from Round Two - Homegrown National Ladies Football League – Division three.

Leitrim 3-13 Tipperary 3-3

Roscommon 3-14 Longford 0-6

Waterford 5-12 Fermanagh 0-3

Sligo 4-8 Wexford 0-5

 

Round Two Fixture Homegrown National Ladies Football League – Division three. 22 February.

Leitrim V Fermanagh

Longford V Wexford

Roscommon V Tipperary

Waterford V Sligo

 

League Table - Homegrown National Ladies Football League

Sligo                    2       2       0       0       +27   6

Waterford           2       2       0       0       +25   6

Leitrim                2       2       0       0       +16   6

Roscommon         2       1       0       1       +11   3

Tipperary            1       0       0       1       -10    0

Wexford               2       0       0       2       -16    0

Fermanagh         1       0       0       1       -24    0

Longford              2       0       0       2       -29    0

Waterford Minor Camogie Team first into Munster Championship Action in 2015

It may be only the first full weekend of February, but Munster Championship action is with us.

He’s finally cracked it, I hear you say, but no, I haven’t, not yet anyway.

This weekend Waterford’s Minor Camogie Team are in action in the Munster Championship where they play Cork in Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon.

Two years ago, Waterford played and lost to Cork in the All-Ireland ‘B’ under 16 Championship. Earlier in the year the side beat Cork in the Munster Championship at the Gold Coast.

Normally, a team has to win an underage competition to move up a grade in the next championship two years one, but such is the progress Waterford are making on the underage Camogie scene, it was decided that Waterford should play in this year ‘A’ Munster Championship.

To be honest, its hard to argue against Waterford moving up. At under 16 level Waterford won all around them. Cork were the only side to beat Waterford, beating them in play off to decide who tops the group after the two sides finished level on points and again in the All-Ireland Final which was played as a home game for Cork as they agreed to switch the game to accommodate duel Waterford players involved in an important Ladies Football game.

Coupled with this, last year Waterford won the Under 16 ‘B’ title and retained the Munster title won twelve months earlier. The All-Ireland ‘B’ Minor Championship also found a home in Waterford after the side coached by Shane Ahearne beat Derry in the final.

Throw in the fact that Waterford have won the last three Under 14 ‘B’ Blitz titles and that Gailltir and De La Salle over the last two or three years have done remarkably well at Féile while on the College scene sides in the city area are doing well.

While its early in the year yet, Waterford will be taking this game very serious. Have no doubt, the All-Ireland Championship is the big one when it comes to Camogie at this level, Waterford would love to have a good run in this competition to set them up nicely for when the All-Ireland competition begins.

In 2013, Waterford had a very strong under 16 panel. But the question has to be asked, how many of that panel will be involved this year. Many of that panel are going to be sitting their leaving cert in June. Will players but their studies ahead of their camogie this year. If they did, it’s hard to blame them. However, there is still some times to go between now and June and ‘God Forbid’ any player was to pick up an injury now it would not necessary mean they will miss out on the sitting part or all of their exams.

There are also some players that are involved with the Waterford Intermediate Ladies Football team and they have a big game on Sunday against Fermanagh at Fraher Field. Will players be willing to line out for two different teams over the weekend and will they be able to commit to training with two teams and to other commitments in the last few weeks, or has a compromise been found to allow players fit in everything.

Two years, ago, Waterford’s under 16 panel was made up of players from nine clubs.

Brianna O'Regan, Courtney Healy, Beth Carton and Ciara Twomey were all from the De La Salle Club.

From the Brickeys were Rachel Donnelly, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath, Molly Curran, Hannah Murphy-Nix and Catherine Hahessy.

Roisin Cahillane, Jessica Glavin, Clodagh Glavin, Emily Power and last years under 16 captain Aisling Power all came from the Cappoquin Club.

Saint Anne’s also had a strong representation on the panel with Bronwyn Grace, Sibeal Harney, Aoife Shanahan and Saoirse Bonner involved.

Dungarvan, Ferrybank and Butlerstown had two members each on the panel.

Kayleigh Veale and Taylor Murray came from the Dungarvan Club. Iona Heffernan and Niamh Ahearne came from Ferrybank, and Elizabeth McGrath and Kate McMahon came from Butlerstown.

Sarah Geoghegan, a sub with the Lismore team due to play Piltown in the Intermediate Club All-Ireland Final on March 1 and Sarah Murray from Tramore made up the remainder of the panel.

Should changes have to be made to the 2013 Under 16 panel for this weekends minor game, the players coming in are most likely to come from last years under 16 winning team.

That could mean call up for the likes of Roisin Uniacke, Laura Murray and Sinead O' Brien from Cappoquin, Chloe Dempsey, Collette Hogan, Caoimhe Drohan, Niamh Murphy or Taylor Healy from De La Salle, the Gailltir pair of Sinead Cunningham and Anne Corcoran, Aoife Shanahan, Kate McMahon and Sally Brown from Butlerstown, Rachel McDonald from Saint Anne’s.   

Sharon Williams is expected to play with Lismore in their up coming All-Ireland Final against Piltown and it remains to be seen if she gets a call up while Ellen Curran is a sub with the same Lismore team. Megan Dunford is one of the new duel players called up to the Waterford Intermediate Ladies Football team and could well be in the starting line out for Sunday’s game while Kate McGrath Kate McGrath a member of last years under 16 team is also involved with the Waterford Intermediate Ladies Football panel.

For Waterford to win this Saturday in Fraher Field might be a big ask, but the talent is defiantly there for it to happen.