Saint Mary’s come out on top in West Waterford Junior Hurling Championship Local Derby

There is nothing like a good local derby championship game to bring the best out of a team.

This game played at Fraher Field last Saturday evening, was a game of contrast.

Saint Mary’s played the best hurling the side had played in a number of years, while Colligan who contested the last two Western Junior Hurling Finals never looked like a side that were hoping to make it third time lucky, making up for the disappointments of loosing to Ballysaggart in 2013 and Modeligo in 2014, both of whom went on to add County and Provincial titles to their Roll of Honour.

Of course this is the first round of five rounds of games in the group stages of the league section of the championship, so Saint Mary’s wont be getting carried away with beating their neighbours while Colligan wont be loosing too much sleep after suffering an opening round defeat as they know there is still plenty of hurling to be played between now and when the teams that will contest the knockout stages of the competition are confirmed.

Saint Mary’s on the day were best served by Mike Kearns who proved to be almost unerring in shooting from placed balls, putting over nine of the sides 13 frees won in this game, and he also put over from a ’65, while Kieran Barron and Kevin Sheehan also impressed hitting 1-3 and 1-2 respectfully over the hour.

Colligan on the day had Johnny Wall finish with ten points all from frees while inter county star Colin Dunford finished the game with three points behind his name on the score sheet.

The first half of this game proved to be an evenly balanced affair with the sides turning around at 1-9 a piece, having being level four times in the opening 30 minutes.

Playing with the breeze at their backs however in the second half it proved to be all one way traffic as the Touraneena based side out scored their neighbours twelve scores to five, one of which was an all important goal.

Saint Mary’s were first out of the traps in this game, as Mike Kearns put over a brace of points and Kieran Barron had a green flag waved inside five minutes of the game starting.

Colligan in this time did have their chances, but they shot three very early wide’s which if they had gone between the uprights we will never know now if we would have seen a different outcome to this game.

Colligan’s goal came on the quarter of an hour mark. Richie Kiely was the player that put the sliotar past John P. Fitzpatrick in the Saint Mary’s goal, following some good work by Colin Dunford and Ross Browne in the build up.

Coming out for the second half, Saint Mary’s were again quickest to settle, hitting their second goal inside thirty seconds of the restart, Kevin Sheehan being the player to beat Dean McKenna, giving Saint Mary’s a lead that they would never loose.

As the game progressed, it was clear that there was only going to be one winner, as Saint Mary’s pulled away with Mike and Eoin Kearns, Kevin Sheehan, Cormac Condon, Dermot Tobin and Kieran Barron all knocking over some good scores.

The winners however did finish the game with a two man disadvantage after referee Timmy Organ ordered off left corner back John Queally and left wing back Owen Barron, both as a result of having collected a second yellow card, late in the game having both being booked in the first half.

Next up for Saint Mary’s is a game against Ballyduff Upper second string side this Sunday afternoon at 1pm at Colligan while ninety minutes later Colligan play Fourmilewater’s second string side at Bushy Park.

Saint Mary’s: John P. Fitzpatrick; Ronan Gleeson, Tom Tobin, John Queally; Dermot Tobin, Denis Coffey, Owen Barron; Sean Fitzpatrick, David Whelan; Cormac Condon, Eoin Kearns, Mike Kearns; Jason Sheehan, Kieran Barron, Kevin Sheehan. Subs Used: Stephen Coffey and Jack Power.

Scorers: Eoin Kearns 0-12 (9 frees, 1 ’65), Kieran Barron 1-3, Kevin Sheehan 1-2, Dermot Tobin, Cormac Condon, Eoin Kearns 0-1 each.

Colligan: Dean McKenna; John Flynn, Ben Dunford, Ray Bannon; P.J. Coffey, Darren Dunford, John N. Fennell; John Morrissey, John Wall; Colin Dunford, Tom Kiely, Gavin Whelan; Richie Kiely, Mark Flynn, Ross Browne. Subs Used: Alan Walsh, Sean Browne.

Scorers: John Wall 0-10 (10 frees), Richie Kiely 1-0, Colin Dunford 0-3, Mark Flynn 0-1.

Referee: Timmy Organ (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty).

Results from Round 1: (Group A): Geraldine’s 2-18 Kilgobinet 0-6, Abbeyside 3-22 Lismore 0-12; (Group B): Saint Mary’s 2-20 Colligan 1-14, Fourmilewater 3-13 Dungarvan 1- 9.

Round 2 Fixtures:

Tallow V Geraldine’s on Sunday at 3pm in Lismore

Kilgobinet V Abbeyside on Sunday at 1pm in Bushy Park

Fourmilewater V Colligan on Sunday at 2-30 in Bushy Park

Ballyduff V Saint Mary’s on Sunday at 1pm in Colligan

Every week, one game will be picked out as Game of the Week in West Waterford and will be reported upon here.

Heart break for Déise Ladies at Parnell Park for second year in a row

Parnell Park in Dublin is proving to be a bit of a jinx for the Waterford Intermediate Ladies Footballers after they fell to a third National League Final loss at the ground on Saturday afternoon against Sligo, following on from losses against Cavan in 2010 and Armagh in 2014.

The win was the Yates County sides first win at this level sin 1995 when they won the same grade title beating Carlow in that years decider.

Sligo now move up a grade for the 2016 competition while Waterford will be hoping to make the division three final for the third year in a row and that it will be third time lucky, but Waterford will know that it will not be easy as Fermanagh, Tipperary, Leitrim and Wexford could all prove to be strong sides, while Down who were relegated from Division two and Offaly promoted from division four could also prove to be strong sides.

It is important early in this piece that the Sligo team are congratulated on their win. On the day, for much of the hour they were the better team, and they are wished well playing in the Division two league in 2016.

However, if anyone within the Waterford set up or indeed anyone that supports the team feel aggrieved they possibly have every right to be.

From a very young age I have memories going to matches with my Father and his Sister. In all I am watching games with about 40 years I suppose. In that time I have seldom given out about a referee. I don’t believe too many if any referee’s go out to have a bad day. Sometimes they do and are the first to admit it (maybe not too publically however) afterwards. Mistakes are made by officials. I have acted as an umpire in the past I have stood in the middle of a field with a whistle for under 12 and primary school games, and know that along the way I have made my own fair of mistakes. However, I find that mistakes overall will possibly balance themselves out over the course of the game.

However on Saturday afternoon last, there appeared to be two different sets of rules applied. Waterford had two players sin binned for little or nothing. Maybe it’s a case of me not knowing the rules of the game as much as I should and if this is the case I hold my hands up. One Waterford player was yellow carded or sin binned twice so was sent off.

The game was not a dirty one, far from it in fact. Yet the most dangerous challenge of the game went almost unpunished after Aileen Wall was tripped with ten and a half minutes were remaining. Waterford did get a free for the foul which Sinead Ryan converted, but there was no card. Was there a little play acting involved in an attempt to distract the referee?

When the Ballymacarbry player was fouled the Sligo player also went to ground, holding the area of her leg just below her shorts, but as the Sligo player was attended to when the clock was stopped, an ice pack was put against the area of the player’s leg just above the top of her football.

Waterford in 2014 were beaten by a better Armagh side but mistakes on the day and some desertion of Lady Luck on the day meant that the final gap on the score board was wider than it could have being. On Saturday last had the game being fought out 15 V 15 for the full hour, maybe the outcome could have been different.

Sligo had suffered a 5-13 to 0-6 loss to Waterford in the league section of the competition at Fraher Field. This was not a true account of how close the sides are. What has not being told so much in the last few days was that twelve months ago, when Waterford travelled to play Sligo at the grounds of I.T. Sligo, the home side ran out winners. When players travel long distances to the game be it the night before, meaning the players are sleeping in beds that they are not used to or whether they travel on the day when a long journey on a bus or by car can take its toll, its not easy on the away team.

Early in the game it looked as if the difference between the sides after the game at Fraher Field could well be between the sides in Parnell Park on Saturday as Waterford made all the early running.

There was less than two minutes played when Waterford had registered the first score of the game.

Sligo attempted to put the ball over the Waterford cross bar but it did not have the required height. Katie Hannon on the Waterford goal was able to take the ball down and playing the ball out towards the stand side of the field, Waterford worked the ball up field to the industrious Maria Delahunty who ran at the Sligo defence laying the ball off to Sinead Ryan who played a double 1-2 with older sister Michelle who laid the ball off to Grainne Kenneally and the Ballyduff Upper player made no mistake in splitting the posts.

Sligo levelled matters on five minutes when Sinead McTiernan was fouled in front of goal and Player of the Match Katie Walsh who played a roll in almost everything that Sligo did on the day put over the resulting free.

On eight minutes Maria Delahunty again caused problems to the Sligo defence when again the ball was played out of the Waterford half of the field, the Abbeyside player again ran at the Sligo defence laying the ball off to Sinead Ryan who extended Waterford’s lead to two.

On nine minutes, Waterford hit the first goal of the game. Michelle Ryan attempted for a point but her effort came crashing off the upright and into the path of Sinead Ryan who beat Noelle Gormley to give Waterford a 1-2 to 0-1 lead.

Waterford went five in front after again some good football. Maria Delahunty was again involved doing a lot of unselfish work. She laid the ball off to Sinead Ryan raced out of her full forward position collected a pass from Maria Delahunty and quickly laid it off to Aileen Wall who made no mistake in finding the range.

Moments later Waterford had the ball in the Sligo net for the second time. Again the ball was played with pace out of the Waterford defence and again reached Maria Delahunty who played the ball across the field to Aileen Wall who danced through the Sligo defence drawing Ruth Goodwin and Jacqui Mulligan with her and the Ballymacarbry player noticing Sinead Ryan in a good position played the ball over the heads of the two Sligo defenders in the direction of the on-running Sinead Ryan who collected, rounded some of the Sligo backs and shot past Noelle Gormley.

It was this score that Sligo needed as a wake up call. The way Waterford were playing, could have meant that the game would end in a cricket score.

The Magpies however would hit a purple patch as Karen Maloney, Elaine O’Reilly and Stephane O’Reilly landed scores to get Sligo to within five of Waterford.

As pointed out there was a number of controversial moments in this game and the first of the big ones came with three and a half minutes left on the clock. Sinead McTiernan and Katie Walsh played a good 1-2 as McTiernan got in on the Waterford goal. As the Geevagh player went to pull the trigger, Emma Murray came across and at first glance seemed to put in a good timely interception but maybe brushed off the Sligo player who went to ground and the Carlow referee awarded a penalty.

To add insult to injury from a Waterford perspective the Carlow official flashed a yellow card at the Comeragh Rangers player meaning that she would have to sit out the next ten plus minutes of the game.

Katie Walsh was given responsibility to strike the penalty putting the ball low and hard down the middle of the goal past Katie Hannon in the Waterford goal despite a Bruce Grobbellar impersonation.

Leading by two points, Waterford kicked the last point of the first half, courtesy of their best player on the day Aileen Wall which sent Waterford to the dressing rooms with a 2-4 to 1-4 advantage.

Waterford made changes at the break as Caoimhe McGrath came on for Nicola Fennell.

Still a player down it was Sligo that made the best start to the second half as Sarah Reynolds kicked the first point of the half three minutes after the resumption. Four minutes later Waterford missed a chance for a point as a Mairead Wall effort fell just short of the target.

Sligo goalkeeper Noelle Gormley gathered the ball and in a sign of the times when it comes to football, the Magpies quickly worked the ball up field. 12 fist passes and four foot-taps and no kick of the ball later, the ball was in the Waterford net for a second time, Katie Walsh again the scorer, pushing the ball over the line from close range to give her side the lead (2-5 to 2-4) for the first time.

Sligo were now in control and points from Sarah Reynolds and Katie Walsh who cut in from the dressing room corner of the ground for a good score to extent Sligo’s lead.

With just over a quarter of an hour to play Grainne Kenneally became the second Waterford player to be sin binned. If Emma Murray’s sin binning was harsh, this one was very harsh.

The Ballyduff Upper player contested for a ball which the Sligo player tried to play away with her hand and the Waterford player attempted to clear with her foot. Yes, maybe the Ballyduff Upper player might have made connection to the Sligo player, resulting in a free but by no means deserved a yellow card.

A Michelle Point on sixteen minutes helped cut Sligo’s advantage, but Waterford were playing an up-hill battle having their numbers cut.

Waterford however refused to throw in the towel. Denise McGrath did edge Sligo further in front before Noelle Gormley denied Shauna Dunphy a goal saving with the inside of her foot.

Katie Walsh pointed again after some good work by Sarah Reynolds and Louise Brett. Sinead Ryan put over a free for Waterford keeping her side in touch after Aileen Wall was tripped by Colley Casey but the referee nor his officials saw the trip as a yellow card offence.

Maria Delahunty made a two point game with just over eight minutes to play when she put over a free from the edge of the arc outside the twenty metre line but this was to be Waterford’s last score of the game.

Katie Walsh made it a three point game before Grainne Kenneally was allowed back on by the match officials. Sinead Ryan would soon afterwards convert another free for Waterford.

Waterford however would soon be back down to 14 once more, again a very controversial call as Emma Murray was red carded after she was sin binned for the second time in the game after she went to contest a ball with Stephanie O’Reilly. As the two players leapt for the ball, the Comeragh Rangers players was deemed to have made contact with the Sligo Captain and as a result the referee gave the young Comeragh Rangers player a second yellow card meaning a red was to follow.

Bernice Byrne hit the last score of the game with just under four minutes left on the clock which helped Sligo to a 2-12 to 2-8 victory.

Let me repeat something already said. I don’t like to be critical of match officials. There job is hard enough. The better team over the hour came out on top, but a little bit of balance when it comes to making calls would have been nice, if you were watching the game as a Waterford supporters and even from a neutral point of view.

WATERFORD: Katie Hannon; Linda Wall, Karen McGrath, Emma Murray; Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power, Megan Dunford; Nicola Fennell, Mairéad Wall; Grainne Kenneally, Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall; Michelle Ryan, Sinead Ryan, Aoife Murray. Subs: Caoimhe McGrath for Nicola Fennell (h.t.), Shauna Dunphy for Mairead Wall (42), Hannah Landers for Aoife Murray (53).
Scorers: Sinead Ryan 2-3 (0-2f), Aileen Wall 0-2, Grainne Kenneally, Maria Delahunty (f) & Michelle Ryan 0-1 each.

SLIGO: Noelle Gormley; Orla McGowan, Grainne O’Loughlin, Colley Casey; Ruth Goodwin, Elise Codd, Jacqui Mulligan; Sinead McTiernan, Bernice Byrne; Elaine O’Reilly, Stephanie O’Reilly, Sarah Reynolds; Laura Anne Laffey, Katie Walsh, Karen Moloney. Subs: Louise Brett for Karen Moloney (22), Denise McGrath for Laura Anne Laffey (40), Grainne Carty for Louise Brett (57).
Scorers: Katie Walsh 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Sarah Reynolds & Stephanie O’Reilly 0-2 each, Bernice Byrne, Elaine O’Reilly, Karen Moloney & Denise McGrath 0-1 each.
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)

12 teams set out in search of County Final Glory

12 teams set out this week all with one intention, to win the Waterford News and Star Cup and be crowned the JJ Kavanagh and Sons County Senior Hurling Champions for 2015.

As always at this stage with not one ball pucked, its hard to say who exactly who will be the champions. The big three in the city, Ballygunner, De La Salle and Mount Sion will all feel they will be in with a great shout.

In the West Dungarvan may have the biggest chance, but the absence of Kevin Daly for much of the year will be a blow to them.

Cappoquin playing in their first Senior Championship in twenty odd years will feel that they have what it is needed to at least retain their senior status and even qualify for the knockout stages.

Lismore will feel that they can only improve on what they have served up in the last few years. Fourmilewater and Abbeyside will know that they are good enough to make the knockout stages.

Passage will be wanting to show that their championship win in 2013 was no one off, Roanmore having retained their senior status now for a number of years will have to set out to reach at least the quarter finals of the championship.

And the counties two furthest west clubs Tallow and Ballyduff Upper will feel that they too can get to the quarter finals.

The first of this weekends games sees Tallow take on De La Salle this evening in Fraher Field.

The last two meetings of these sides have proven to be unpredictable affairs as Tallow ran out winners in 2013 in the last series of games in the league section of the competition, a win that booked a quarter final place for them and last year in the quarter finals it was the city side that emerged winners.

How will this years game go? To be honest, its only possible to see one winner, but remember, we have said that before and were proven wrong.

For me it’s a De La Salle win here, but I for one would not be surprised if Tallow were to push them all the way. Often the fancied side are often at their most venerable in the opening round of games. We say it happen recently in the football championship when a fancied Nire side lost out to Clashmore. Could the same happen here.

Just one game is down for decision on Saturday evening, again at Fraher Field. Reigning champions Ballygunner take on Ballyduff Upper with the game having a 7-30pm start.

This is a game of two contrasting clubs. One is one of the biggest in the county if not in Munster against one of the smallest senior clubs in the county.

Ballyduff deserve great credit for the way they keep going. Often written off, they keep coming back and have developed the knack of retaining their senior status. When they did loose it about 10 years ago, they won the Intermediate Championship at the first attempt and won the senior championship in 2007.

For a number of years, about a decade ago they found it hard to field underage teams but they have bounced back from that and are now again producing some good young players.

Ballygunner are knocking on the championship door now with years and have won their quota of titles. When the likes of Paul Flynn, Fergal Hartley and Stephen Frampton retired many felt that it would take them a long time to get back to fielding teams like what these three played in, but they have built a team around successful underage teams and now are possibly a better team than they were between ten and twenty years ago.

On paper, Ballygunner should win in Fraher Field on Saturday evening. However, don’t be too surprised if the Village side were to push them all the way or even come out on top by a point or two.

Four games are due to be played on Sunday, three at Fraher Field and one at Walsh Park.

The first of the three games on Sunday see’s Fourmilewater take on Abbeyside.

Little separates these two sides.

When they clashed in 2013 Abbeyside ran out the easiest of winners, but last year when they clashed in the opening round of games, Jamie Barron turned on the style and scored 17 points in a 0-21 to 0-14 win for Fourmilewater.

That win was Fourmilewater’s only win last year and they ended up in a relegation play off with Ardmore, a game they won.

Abbeyside have reached the latter stages of the competition in the last few years and will be looking to do so again this year.

They however have proven to be slow starters in recent years something that could cost many teams, but they pick up pace as the competition goes on.

Neither side will want to loose this opening round of games and be playing catch up, even if both should in the remaining games have enough to secure a quarter final spot.

This is a game that could go either way. Jamie Barron is in fine form with the county of late and will be looking to bring it into this game. If he does this, then Fourmilewater get the nod to win here.

The second game in Fraher Field sees Mount Sion take on Cappoquin.

Mount Sion are reaching the latter stages of the championship in recent years but have yet to win a title since their last one in the middle of the last decade. Under Ken McGrath this year and having added to their team they would be expected to maybe challenge even harder this year.

Cappoquin since winning the County and Munster Intermediate Championships last year, as everyone knows have had their in-house difficulties.

If Cappoquin can put out a strong as team as they did towards the end of last year and to have the injured players they had towards the end of 2014 back in contention for a place in the team from the start, they could well be a match for most.

If the Cornerstone Men do have a full strength team out, then expect them to push Mount Sion hard. Mount Sion get the nod here to win, the margin of which will depend on what Cappoquin side takes to the field.

The only game to be played outside of Fraher Field this weekend is the meeting of Roanmore and Passage in Walsh Park on Sunday evening.

When the two sides clashed at the same stage of the competition and at the same venue twelve months ago, the game ended in a 1-13 to 1-13 draw.

That was an excellent result for the city side against the then champions and they followed it up with a win over Fourmilewater.

They are a side that have retained their status as a senior club five or six years ago but have yet to make the knockout stages of the competition in that time. Can 2015 be the year when it happens? Well a lot could depend of Gavin O’Brien. He is a fantastic player but maybe at times they place too much pressure on his shoulders to deliver the goods.

If they were to win here, then 2015 could be the year that they will make the knockout stages of the competitions as there is other teams in the group that they will be fancying their chances against, more than they did in recent years.

Passage will want to show that they are as good as they were in 2013 when they win a first ever title. They have some excellent players, to guide them in the direction they did in 2013.

Under Peter Queally, they are a have a man with a winning mentality. They will feel that they can get out of this group and if this was to happen, in knockout hurling, anything can happen.

They get the not here to win, but like in all other games this year, it could be close. Another draw between the two should not be ruled out.

Of all the first round games this weekend, one game stands out, the meeting of Lismore and Dungarvan at Fraher Field on Sunday evening.

On paper, Lismore have a fine panel to pick from. Players like Maurice Shanahan, older brother Dan, Paudie and John Prendergast, the Barry brothers all roll of the tongues of hurling supporters in the county.

The problem however is in the last few years, they have not being delivering. They tend to leave it to Maurice Shanahan to get the bulk of their scores, but when he missed games, while others have stepped up to the mark, they have not done so in the games that Maurice plays in.

Dungarvan in 2012 reached the county final with a team whose average age was about 21. This year they have a team whose average age is not much more as the likes of Patrick Curran and Darragh Lyons have come through, while the likes of Michael Kiely and Kieran Power are good additions from Saint Mary’s and Clonea respectfully.

The absence of Kevin Daly is a big blow to Dungarvan. He is expected to be out for a few more months as he recovers from a cruciate ligament problem, an injury that has affected many players in the last few years.

However, in addition to the players named above, they should be able to call upon the likes of Jamie Nagle, Gavin Crotty, the Curran brothers, Darren Duggan etc.

The Old Boro should win here, but like in other games down for decision this weekend, don’t rule out a Lismore win too easily.

Waterford seek third league title in a week

Waterford’s Intermediate Ladies Football team will be hoping to do what the Counties Intermediate Camogie team and Senior Hurling team did last weekend this coming Saturday afternoon and become the third side in the county to win a National League Title in 2015.

When Waterford lead by Linda Wall takes to the pitch at Parnell Park in Dublin on Saturday around noon, it will be the fourteenth time that Waterford will contest a league final.

Between 1988 and 2002 Waterford under the guidance of Michael Ryan contested ten finals winning the deciders in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2002 beating Laois, Mayo (twice) and Clare (twice) in the finals, loosing to Kerry in four finals in a row between 1988 and 1991 and to Monaghan in 1999.

Previous to Waterford contesting a Division one final, a Division two final was won in 1986 beating Laois in the final, the same year that they beat Wexford in the All-Ireland Junior Final, the first Ladies Football Final played at Croke Park.

In recent years, Waterford have played a lot of their league football in Division three, reaching the final in 2010 where they lost out to Cavan and again last year when they lost to a very strong Armagh side who contests this years Division two final against Donegal also at Parnell Park on Saturday.

At the start of the league back in the first week of February, most would have predicted that Waterford even with a younger side than last year would be in contention for a place in the final.

What some might not have predicted then was that Sligo would be Waterford’s opponents this weekend.

On paper it looked as Leitrim, Fermanagh and Tipperary, the latter along with Waterford being the runners up in the last three All-Ireland Intermediate All-Ireland Finals, but to the Yeats County side’s credit, they are in Saturday’s final on merit and will provide stiff opposition for Waterford.

Sligo began their league campaign with a 1-16 to 0-7 win over Longford and followed it up with a 4-8 to 0-5 win over last years All-Ireland Junior Champions Wexford.

Sligo made the journey to Fraher Field for the third game in the campaign and suffered a first loss of the campaign, loosing 5-13 to 0-6. Another defeat against Roscommon 2-9 to 1-7 followed but since then it was wins all the way.

What was described as a 1-11 to 0-7 win over Leitrim was recorded in round five and another big win was recorded in the penultimate round of games in the league section of the competition winning 4-18 to 1-6. In the final round of games another big win was recorded this time against last years All-Ireland Intermediate runners up, the Magpies ran out wines 4-7 to 0-5.

Finishing on fifteen points from the seven games, the same tally as Leitrim and Roscommon, Sligo were first out of the hat in a draw to see who finished second in the group with the remaining to sides having to play off to see who finish’s third and fourth in the semi finals.

It was Leitrim that came out on top in the play off game with Roscommon and so were paired with Sligo in the semi finals.

At the break in that game at Ballyhaunis, Sligo despite playing with the wind at their backs trailed 1-5 to 0-7. However Sligo could well have been out of site at the break as they kicked 12 wides and when they away a soft goal within seconds of the second half starting, it looked as if they were going to be made pay for the first half wide’s tally.

The Sligo management team however pulled a bit of a master stroke at the break sending on Emma Hansberry who earlier in the day had played a soccer game. it was as a result of this soccer game that the game between the two Connacht sides was put back to allow Hansberry to be involved in both something that vexed Leitrim manager Pat Costello and the Irish International soccer player added ‘insult to injury’ by kicking two goals from penalties to seal victory for her side.

Waterford’s passage to this Saturday’s final is very impressive, even if along the way there was the odd scare or two.

Waterford’s first game of the campaign was against Wexford. When the sides met last year Waterford recorded a very big win and may were expecting something similar to happen this year. However after last years game, the Model County side improved a lot and went on to win the Junior All-Ireland Final which meant that they travelled to Dungarvan on a high, and they really put it up to Waterford but the home side ran out 0-9 to 2-2 winners.

Excellent wins over Fermanagh (5-12 to 0-3) and Sligo (5-13 to 0-6) both at Fraher Field followed for Waterford before Sligo visited ‘the Old Boro’.

Waterford’s first away game of the campaign was away to Tipperary in Ardfinnan. Waterford began without many of their big name players and Tipperary took advantage of this. However, as Pat Sullivan emptied his bench and Waterford with some very experienced players on the field ran out 2-12 to 3-5 winners.

Against Roscommon at Fraher Field again youth was given its chance in the first half but in the second half with some of the more experienced player on the field Waterford were able to pull away and win 5-6 to 2-9.

That win secured a semi final spot and in round six they collected the full quota of points on offer without playing as Longford who were without a win in the league up to that point informed officials that they would not be travelling to Dungarvan.

For the final game in the league section Waterford travelled to Leitrim knowing that if they were to avoid defeat they would top the group. Not only did Waterford win, they won far more comfortably that the 5-11 to 3-9 score line suggested as Leitrim hit some late goals to put a gloss on the score board.

In the semi finals against Roscommon, Waterford travelled to Nenagh expecting a tough battle after the test they had in Fraher Field, and at the break it did look as if they were in a game, but in the second half Michelle Ryan, Hannah Landers and Mary Foley hit goals to help Waterford win 4-15 to 0-9.

Both sides have named very strong sides for Saturday’s game.

Sligo make one change to the team that started against Leitrim. Karen Moloney comes in at right corner forward for Rachel Monaghan. Many might have expected Emma Hanberry to get a start this weekend, but she will be away with the Irish International Soccer team in America where they have a friendly on Sunday in San Jose against the United States and a few days later against Haiti in Florida.

Waterford name the same fifteen that started against Roscommon the last day with positional changes kept to the minimum as Michelle Ryan and Aoife Murray are set to swap corners.

Having won two National League Finals last weekend was nice. To win a third this weekend would be very sweet. For Waterford to win might set some sort of record as Waterford’s highest graded team in both hurling, football, camogie and ladies football will have won titles in the one calendar year and not many counties can claim that.

There is some that might suggest that the Waterford Intermediate Ladies Footballers might be under pressure this weekend to do the same as what happened last weekend. I don’t think this is the case.

This is a good Waterford team made up with a nice mix of youth and experience. Pat Sullivan has done things different this year. He has not been afraid to make these changes. Players that have become household names in a certain position in recent years have taken up a new position this year and they have settled in like ducks to water.

Waterford will not head to Dublin this Saturday with ‘cocky heads’. They will give Sligo the respect that they deserve. They will know that they have beaten them already this year but lets not forget that it was Sligo that won the game between the two last year.

If Waterford go out and play the football that they are capable of, then a seventh National League title in fourteen finals should be beating to Waterford on Saturday evening.

Discipline is also going to be an important issue on Saturday. Should any side have their numbers cut for players who may get sin-binned for ten minutes, it could prove costly on their side as a lot of damage can be done while a player is watching from the sideline.

The game is not going to be won by the players that start for what ever side that does win. Those that will come on will also play a vital roll. If changes are needed you can’t but feel that Waterford have the stronger bench. Players like Aoife Dunne, Caoimhe McGrath, Ciara Hurley, Hannah Landers, Lauren McGreggor, Mairead Power, Mary Foley, Louise Ryan, Nora Dunphy, Liz Devine, Mags Revins and Shauna Dunphy are all players that have played a part in getting Waterford to where they are and are able to come in and do a job if needed.

Waterford: 1. Katie Hannon; 2. Megan Dunford, 3. Karen McGrath, 4. Linda Wall; 5. Michelle McGrath, 6. Elaine Power, 7. Emma Murray; 8. Nicola Fennell, 9. Mairead Wall; 10. Grainne Kenneally, 11. Maria Delahunty, 12. Aileen Wall; 13. Michelle Ryan, 14. Sinead Ryan, 15. Aoife Murray.

Sligo: 1. Noelle Gormley; 2. Jackie Mulligan, 3. Grainne O’Loughlin, 4. Orla McGowan; 5. Colley Casey. 6. Elsie Codd, 7. Ruth Goodwin; 8. Sinead McTiernan, 9. Bernice Byrne; 10. Sarah Reynolds, 11. Stephanie O’Reilly, 12. Elaine O’Reilly; 13. Karen Moloney, 14. Katie Walsh, 15. Laura Anne Laffey.

Paths to the Final

Sligo:

Sligo   1-16    Longford        0-7

Sligo   4-8      Wexford         0-5

Sligo   0-6      Waterford       5-13

Sligo   1-7      Roscommon 2-9

Sligo   1-11    Leitrim            0-7

Sligo   4-18    Tipperary       1-6

Sligo   4-7      Fermanagh   0-5

Sligo   2-9      Leitrim            1-8      (Semi Final)

Total For:       17-82

Total Against: 9-60

Average For: 17 points

Average Against: 11 points

Waterford:

Waterford       0-9      Wexford         2-2

Waterford       5-12    Fermanagh   0-3

Waterford       5-13    Sligo               0-6

Waterford       2-12    Tipperary       3-5

Waterford       5-6      Roscommon 2-9

Waterford received a walkover from Longford

Waterford       5-11    Leitrim            3-9

Waterford       4-14    Roscommon 0-9      (semi Final)

Total For:       26-77

Total Against: 10-43

Average For:   22 points

Average Against: 11

Averages are rounded up to the nearest full or half number.

Magnificent Waterford Ladies Win League Title

The May Bank Holiday weekend of 2015 will long be remembered in Waterford.

Most people will not need to be told that Waterford’s Senior Hurlers won what was only a third National League Final beating Cork in Thurles on Sunday afternoon It’s expected that when people get to pick up their favourite local papers thus week that they will have many pages of reading about the game.

What people may not be so well aware of is that twenty-four yours earlier at Netwatch Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow another of our teams won a league title last weekend.

It’s often the case that ladies team in any county don’t get the same recognition as their male counterparts. Why this happens is sometimes hard to explain, but things are on the up and now Ladies Football and Camogie teams are getting to get the recognition that they deserve. Thankfully here in Waterford with some time we are well ahead of the posy when it comes to promoting women’s sports.

On Saturday afternoon last the counties Intermediate Camogie team made the journey up the M9 out of Waterford as far as Carlow to take on Laois in this years Irish Daily Star National Camogie Division Two league final.

Waterford made the journey with the mantle of favourites around their necks, but all with an interest in game knew that Waterford’s task was not going to be as easy as some were saying it would be.

Laois going into the game were a very experienced side and were capable of making life very difficult for Waterford.

The Midlanders had appeared in the last two Junior All-Ireland Finals loosing out to good Kildare and Down sides.

Backboned by members of the Camross Club who have dominated the Senior set up in Laois for the last few years and who appeared in the last couple of Leinster Intermediate Club finals, they also had Sarah Anne Fitzgerald and Niamh Dollard in their side, two players who share 6 Soaring Star Awards between then and who would be expected to add to that tally this year, and with the former having four Ashbourne Cup winners medal in her collection of Medals, Laois were always going to provide stiff opposition for Waterford.

The Midlanders won the toss and opted to play into the elements at the venue and at the break it looked like a gamble worth taking as they trailed Waterford by just a single point.

However, playing against the elements in the second half, Sean Fleming’s charges played some of the best Camogie they have played all year, hitting three goals and running out eight point winners.

Beth Carton was voted Player of the Game here. The brilliant De La Salle Club player in the last couple of years set the Inter County Underage Scene alive, helping Waterford reach two under 16 ‘B’ All-Ireland Final appearances, winning one and as a 16 year old helped Waterford to win a Minor ‘B’ All-Ireland Final last year and this year playing at a higher grade, while Waterford did not win any game, she was one of a number of players to stand out and it was no surprise to see her stand out at an even higher level again and none more so than in this game.

She hit 2-1 for Waterford on the day and played an instrumental roll in many of her side’s other scores including the side’s third goal which came early in the final quarter of the game.

Waterford lined out as selected for this game, but made two changes to the side that won in the semi finals.

Beth Carton missed the game with Kildare as she was assisting Presentation Secondary School in an International Basketball Competition on the Continent. She came in for Sibeal Harney with Nicola Morrissey moving to the place vacated by the Saint Anne’s Club player with the De La Salle player starting in her usual left half forward position, and Jenny McCarthy came in at left half back for Iona Heffernan.

Laois made three changes to the side printed in the programme as Noreen Kirwan came in for Claire Walsh at left half back, Eimear Delaney replaced Sarah Creagh in the middle of the field and their goal scoring hero in their extra time win over Kilkenny Aoife Burke started at right corner forward for Aisling O’Dea.

It was Waterford that made the early running and were first on the score board with a brace of points from the ever dependable Trish Jackman inside three points.

Waterford however would soon fall behind as the Waterford defence failed to deal with an effort in and around their own goal and wing back Noreen Kirwan was in the right place to blast high into Deirdre Brennan’s goal.

Waterford however refused to panic and quickly began to attack the Laois goal. Teenager Dawn Power was unlucky when here effort came back off the post but the sides were level soon afterwards when Lorraine Bray got onto the end of a Jennie Simpson (who was brilliant throughout) pass and once the Cappoquin player had the ball she made no mistake in splitting the posts.

Laois when back in front when regular free taker Louise Mahony split the posts from a placed ball, but Trish Jackman showed that what the Laois player could do, she also could do, levelling the scores for the second time and Waterford went to the dressing rooms with the most slender of leads when Beth Carton registered her first score of the game in first half added time.

Waterford came out for the second half determined that the day would the Déise’s Day in Carlow as well as in Punchestown.

In a terrific start to the second half, Waterford went 1-5 to 1-1 in front on thirty-two minutes as half time sub Iona Heffernan linked up with Beth Carton and the De La Salle sharp shooter made no mistake in beating  Laura Dunne in the Laois goal.

Moments later Waterford stretched their lead moments later when Trish Jackman put over her fourth free of the afternoon to give her side a 1-6 to 1-1 lead.

But moments later Waterford’s lead was pegged back as a Sarah Ann Fitzgerald free from 60 metres skidded to the Waterford net in the testing conditions.

Niamh Dollard made it a one point game soon afterwards when she pointed but Waterford quickly too charge of the game once more as Lorraine Bray and Niamh Rockett linked up to play through Beth Carton who finished to the net for the second time in this game eleven minutes after the restart.

Waterford could have had a third goal registered on the score board on forty-four minutes but lady luck evaded Niamh Rockett. A point from Michelle Holmes made it a three point game but this was to be as good as it for the Midlanders as Waterford in the final quarter proved as they did for much of the game to be the better of the two sides.

Having missed a chance to have a green flag waved three minutes earlier, Niamh Rockett made no mistake on forty-seven minutes as Dawn Power and Beth Carton linked up with the Saint Anne’s Club player who struck for a crucial third goal.

Dawn Power having being set up by Beth Carton put Waterford 3-7 to 2-3 in front with ten minutes remaining. Sarah Anne Fitzgerald put over a point from a free with five minutes to go which was followed by another Dawn Power effort.

Waterford rounded off a good afternoon’s work with a brace of Trish Jackman points, the first from a free with three minutes of the hour remaining and the latter from a ’45 on the hour mark which gave Waterford a nine point advantage on the score board.

The Midlander’s in added time through sub Aisling O’Dea did pull a point back but it was to be Waterford’s day.

Waterford winning the league was not luck. It was a deserved title for a side that have impressed since they returned to training.

The new management team put together built on youth and experience, from the off when they played Tipperary at the WIT Sports Campus in Carriganore, there was that something special look about the side in the way they were playing and in the way the team was lined out.

Wins against Cork and Meath followed on the sides travel before they had an important fourth win in the league, one that booked a semi final spot and the groups top spot, when they beat a Kilkenny side that were in last years Intermediate All-Ireland Final, again at the WIT Sports Campus.

Waterford were spared a long trip north when Down who could not improve their placing in the league gave the Déise Ladies a walk over in the final round of games in the league section of the competition.

In the semi finals Waterford were pitted with Kildare who had beaten Waterford at the same stage of the competition two years ago.

This time however there was to be no mistake by Waterford who ran out 1-15 to 1-7 winners.

Waterford also played Clare in the Munster Senior Championship in the run up to the league final and while Waterford lost out 0-16 to 1-10 at The Ragg, the work out against a senior team was worthwhile as the team were without a competitive outing going into the league since their win over Kilkenny.

Waterford will be delighted with this win and will have celebrated it over the course of the weekend. But they will also know that there is more to be done.

The All-Ireland Championship will begin after the leaving cert is over. Having reached the last three All-Ireland Intermediate Semi Finals, the Waterford panel will be looking to go that one step or two further this year.

The win over Laois will have given the side plenty of confidence. They will know that they are capable of winning silverware and having won some now the hunger will be their to add more.

Waterford will also know that the last time the county won a Division Two League Final back in 2011 an All-Ireland Final followed that September.

The say that History does not repeat itself, but we know it can. Will Waterford will another All-Ireland this year after winning a league title just as was the case in 2011? Don’t rule it out happening. The talent and the hunger is certainly there for it to happen.

Waterford: Deirdre Brennan; Vikki Falconer, Claire Whyte, Emma Hannon; Kate McMahon, Jennie Simpson, Jenny McCarthy; Nicola Morrissey, Trish Jackman; Lorraine Bray, Valerie O’Brien, Beth Carton; Molly Curran, Catriona McGlone, Dawn Power. Subs: Niamh Rockett for Molly Curran, Iona Heffernan for Nicola Morrissey, Claire Murphy for Kate McMahon. Rest of the Panel: Brianna O’Regan, Shauna Prendergast, Becky Kavanagh, Sibeal Harney, Aisling Power, Saoirse Bonner, Orla Flynn, Saoirse Bonner.

Scorers: Beth Carton 2-1, Trish Jackman 0-6 (5 frees, 1 ’45), Niamh Rockett 1-0, Dawn Power 0-2, Lorraine Bray 0-1.

Laois: Laura Dunne; Mairead Burke, Rosemary Bermingham, Aisling Burke; Elizabeth Ryan, Sarah Anne Fitzgerald, Noreen Kirwan; Eimear Delaney, Louise Mahony; Laura Marie Maher, Elaine Mahony, Michelle Holmes; Aoife Burke, Niamh Dollard, Olga Parkinson. Subs: Aisling O’Dea for Aoife Burke, Claire Walsh for Elizabeth Ryan, Sharon Moylan for Eimear Delaney. Rest of the Panel: Sarah Creagh, Niamh Cass, Ciara Cuddy, Dawn Mortimer, Rebecca Treacy, Rebecca Williams, Catriona Downey, Margaret Hogan, Any Loughman.

Scorers: Sarah Anne Fitzgerald 1-1 (frees), Noreen Kirwan 1-0, Louise Mahony (free), Aisling O’Dea, Niamh Dollard, Michelle Holmes 0-1 each.

Referee: Eamon Cassidy (Derry).