Heartbreak for Waterford’s Under 16's.

Heartbreak for Waterford’s Under 16 girls in Munster final

In a tremendous game of football, Waterford’s under 16 ladies team went down to Cork in the Munster A final by the minimum margin 1-15 to 1-14 in extra time after the sides had finished level in normal time. Waterford were rocked before the throw in when influential centre forward was forced to cry off due to illness and had to be replaced by Hannah Power (Old Parish). Cork opened brightly with a brace of points in the first three minutes from mid fielder Ciara Hartnett and corner forward Sadhbh O Leary. Waterford had a very legitimate claim for a penalty turned down in the 5^th minute before Bronagh Condon opened the Déise account a minute later. This play for the next 10 minutes or so was very broken not helped by injuries to two Waterford players Kate McGrath and Megan Dunford but both recovered well and turned in fantastic performances. Cork stretched the lead to three points with scores from Grace Culloty and Abbie Scannell before Aoife Murray kicked a great point in the 13^th minute.

Saoirse Noonan the Cork full forward got her first point on 17 minutes to widen the gap once again. A pointed free from Ciara Hurley in the 20^th minute and a great point from way out the field from Kate McGrath had the Déise back to within one point. Cork’s half back Ciara McCarthy capitalised on loose play in the Waterford line to venture up field and score a good point on 26 minutes and full forward Saoirse Noonan kicked her second with three minutes to go to half time to leave cork ahead by three. Aoife Murray narrowed the gap with a wonderful score off her left foot in the 28^th minute and one minute later Hannah Power (Old Parish) had the sizable Déise following in raptures when she finished off a wonderful move to score the opening goal of the game to leave Waterford ahead at half time by a point 1-5 Cork 0-7.

Waterford opened the second half confidently with a point from Kate McGrath in the first minute and they extended their lead with a pointed free from Ciara Hurley and another point from Aoife Murray to leave the Waterford girls four points ahead after 7 minutes. Laura Cleary got Cork’s first score of the second half a point in the 8^th minute but the Waterford reply was quick a pointed free from Ciara Hurley after a great defensive interception by Megan Dunford set up another Waterford attack.

Ciara Hurley kicked a huge free from 40 yards out in the 14^th minute and grabbed the kick out to slot over another point to leave Waterford ahead by six points with 15 minutes to go. One minute later came the decisive move from a Cork point of view, possession given away by Waterford while on the attack led to good inter play by Cork’s Laura Cleary and Saoirse Noonan led to Noonan’s unstoppable shot beating Waterford’s goalie Roisin Curran to narrow the gap to three points.

This spurred the Cork girls on to greater efforts and they were rewarded with points from a free by Laura Cleary and a well taken score by Lorraine O Neill to narrow the gap to the bare minimum. Ciara Hurley steadied the nerves somewhat with a free on 23 minutes. Cork through everything at Waterford at this stage and the bravery of the Deise girls was a joy to witness. Kate McGrath got injured again bravely blocking down a Cork attempt to set up a score. In the 26^th minute Lorraine O Neill kicked a point when a dubiously awarded free came back off the post into play and with one minute to go Saoirse Noonan kicked the equalising point to the joy and relief of the Cork supporters. Both sides had final chances to win the game before Keith Delahunty blew the final whistle to leave two wonderful teams deadlocked 1-12 apiece.

Cork opened the first period of extra time more brightly with two points from Laura Cleary and one from Ciara Hartnett left Cork three points to the good. Ciara Hurley pulled one back for Waterford just on the stroke of half time to give the Deise hope for the last 10 minutes. The second half of extra time was a tense affair with both defences on top and scoring chances were at a premium. A number of efforts from the Waterford forwards just dropped short of their intended target. In the last minute of extra time Aoife Murray had a half chance but her rasper of a shot was always rising and went over the bar to the relief of the Cork girls to leave the score Cork 1-15 Waterford 1-14. Keith Delahunty then blew the final whistle to end what was an absolute cracker of a game and the contrast between the joy and relief on the Cork girls’ faces and the agony and tears of the Waterford girls was heart breaking for all involved. Both teams served up an amazing game of football, the skill levels were brilliant and as for the level of fitness, not one girl went down with cramp on either side during almost 90 minutes of pulsating football.

While defeat is always hard to bear especially when it was as close as it was today, the management and players of the Waterford team should be well proud of their achievements in the Munster A championship. Roisin Curran had a sound game in goal and could not be faulted for the Cork goal. The full back line of Laura Casey, Niamh Power and Laura Casey were tireless in their efforts. Half backs Aishling Mullaney, Megan Dunford and Laura Cusack were well on top of a very strong Cork half forward line. Hannah Power (St Pats) and captain Emma Murray set up many attacks for the forwards. In the half forward line Kate Mc Garth, Hannah Power (Old Parish) and Chloe Fennell gave the Cork backs many anxious moments while the full forward line of Bronagh Condon, Aoife Murray and Ciara Hurley had their scoring boots on, getting a total of thirteen points between them. A team is only as good as the subs and the rest of the panel Grace Heffernan, Beth Norris, Katie Murray and Edwina Curran gave their all for the cause when they came on during the game. The remaining girls of the panel who did not see action today Caoimhe Veale, Emma Power, Becky Hogan, Maeve Ryan and Lauren Galvin are to be commended for their efforts and dedication during the campaign and all the girls are a credit to their families and their various clubs. Team Management of Pat Sullivan, Trish Fitzgerald, Johnny Troy, Margaret Foley and first aider Mick Norris put in a lot of work with these girls and should be well proud of their efforts.

This is the end of the championship road for these girls on the inter-county stage for this year. We wish Cork all the best in their efforts in the All Ireland series. We thank the girls for giving us so much enjoyment in their campaign. We know that this group of girls are resilient and have proved today that they are as good as the best in the country. The future is bright for Ladies football in county Waterford and I have no doubt that many of these girls will make their mark at senior inter county level in the not too distant future.

Waterford Intermediate ladies clinch a place in League Final

Waterford Intermediate lady footballers by virtue of a hard earned victory clinched a place in the Tesco Home-grown Division 3 League final to be played in Parnell Park Dublin on Saturday may 10^th. Waterford faced Leitrim in the semi final in Birr on Sunday last and the girls from the west set out their stall early and attacked from the throw in. Led by sharpshooting forward Áine Tighe took the game to the Deise girls and had three points on the scoreboard in the first six minutes, indeed it could have been much worse for the Deise in these opening minutes as Tighe also had two opportunities for goal and it took a timely interception by Karen McGrath and a wonderful save from keeper Aimee Jordan to keep Waterford in the game at this early stage.

The Deise girls settled down and gradually imposed themselves on the game; Michelle Ryan opened the scoring with a pointed free in the 7^th minute. Aileen Wall hit the crossbar on 9 minutes and Michelle Ryan repeated the act two minutes later before Michelle got her second point of the game on 13 minutes. Elaine Power got Waterford’s third point on 14 minutes when she finished a wonderful passing movement involving Mairead and Linda Wall to level the scores. Aimee Jordan was called on again to make a wonderful save from Aine Tighe before the Leitrim corner forward Michelle Heslin put the Connacht team back in front. The other Leitrim corner forward Roisin Fowley got in on the scoring act in the 22^nd minute when she finished a wonderful move to the Waterford net. Linda Wall steadied Waterford nerves with three unanswered points between the 23^rd and 26^th minutes before Aine Tighe scored her fourth point of the game for Leitrim on 27 minutes to put them back in front again by two. Michelle Ryan and Aine Tighe exchanged pointed frees in injury time to leave Leitrim enjoying a slender two point cushion at the break Leitrim 1-6 Waterford 0-7.

Waterford opened the second half brightly, a Leitrim attack was intercepted by Mairéad Wall and great inter-passing at speed by the Wall sisters, Mairéad, Linda and Aileen led to Linda getting inside the defence and putting a wonderful shot past the Leitrim keeper Michelle Guckian. Leitrim came back attacking strongly and were rewarded with a point from mid fielder and Captain Sarah McLoughlin. Linda Wall was on hand to kick over the equalising point shortly afterwards to leave it all square at 1-7 a piece. For the next 5 minutes or so it was all Leitrim and they once again stretched their lead out to three points, all from the boot of Aine Tighe. Aileen Wall kicked a got point on 12 minutes to narrow the gap and Michelle Ryan pulled another one back a minute later when she was fed a good pass by substitute Hannah Landers to put the minimum between the teams. Hannah Landers herself was to score the equalising point after good work by Aileen Wall in dispossessing the Leitrim full forward.

Leitrim went back in front on 17 minutes when Michelle Heslin got her second score of the game, but this was short lived as hard working Mairead Wall was rewarded with a good point.

With 10 minutes to go Michelle Ryan put Waterford noses in front only for it to be pegged back once again by Aine Tighe on the 23^rd minute. Three minutes later came the decisive score for Waterford some indecision in the Leitrim defence led to Shauna Dunphy being alert and the Comeragh Rangers girls made no mistake and planted the ball in the Leitrim net to give Waterford a lead that they would not surrender. A pile driver from Aileen Wall was brilliantly deflected over the bar by the Leitrim goalie in the 28^th minute. Leitrim’s midfielder Sarah McLoughlin brought the deficit back to a goal with one minute remaining. In injury time Michelle Ryan had the presence of mind and coolness when her free came back off the post to collect the rebound and bury it in the net for Waterford’s third goal. From the kick out Shauna Dunphy put the ball over the bar for the final score of the game to leave Waterford in front by seven points on the final score Waterford 3-14 Leitrim 1-13.

This result ensures that Waterford have now qualified for the National league final against Armagh who comprehensively defeated Tipperary in the other semi final. This game will be played on Saturday 10^th May and gives the Deise ladies an opportunity to atone for their display against Armagh last time out. Management will be well pleased with the result today and the work ethic displayed. The will be especially pleased with the impact that the substitutes made when they came on and these players ensured that there will be healthy competition for places in the final. In defence Karen McGrath, Grainne Kenneally and Mary Foley were superb. Michelle McGrath and Elaine Power gave Waterford a decided advantage at mid field and were the spring board of many Waterford attacks. The three Wall sisters and Michelle Ryan were outstanding in the forward line. Team management made four substitutions during the game and these were very astute changes. Grainne Enright and Shona Curran steadied the team down when they came on in the back line and the two forwards who were introduced Hannah Landers and Shauna Dunphy gave a fresh impetus to the attack and both ended up on the score sheet.

Waterford lined out as follows: Aimee Jordan, Nora Dunphy, Grainne Kenneally, Mary Foley, Louise Ryan, Karen McGrath, Megan O Connor, Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power(0-1), Linda Wall(1-3), Michelle Ryan (1-5), Mairead Wall  (0-1), Liz Devine, Margaret Revins, Aileen Wall (0-2) Subs Used Grainne Enright, Shona Curran, Hannah Landers (0-1) and Shauna Dunphy (1-1)

Celebrations for Waterford and Gailtir

Waterford Minor Camogie team win All Ireland

The team commenced the 2014 championship away on 16th March at Craobh Chiarain, Clonsaugh when they played and beat Dublin on a score of Dublin's 2-06 to Waterford's 2-11. Unfortunately, Westmeath were also in their group and had to withdraw from the competition which meant that Waterford's remaining group match was against Derry and was played on 22nd March at Dunganny where Derry were victorious by the smallest of margins (Derry's 3-07 to Waterford's 4-03).

Finishing runners up meant a trip to Naomh Peregrine last Saturday (19th April) to play the All Ireland semi-final against Down where our team was again victorious to progress into the All Ireland final. The match finished up Waterford 2-12 to Down's 2-05.

The other semi-final saw Derry play Kildare who were easy winners on a score of 6-06 to Kildare's 1-06.

In the final Waterford team won the match on a score of 4-06 to 0-02 which was not expected particularly as the previous encounter between the two teams had been so close with Derry winning.

Waterford elected to play against the wind in the first half and started strongly with Lorraine Bray opening the scoring before player of the match Beth Carton got her first score when she struck into the net. Derry responded with a point but then Waterford's Caoimhe McGrath scored a point and Beth Carton scored a point from a free and then followed up with another goal to ensure that Waterford were in control of the game.

As halftime approached Waterford scored a further 1-01 for no reply. First up was a point by Caoimhe McGrath followed by a Jessica Glavin goal. Waterford headed in at the halftime break 3-04 to 0-01. 

The start of the second half saw Waterford take up where they had left off when Lorraine Bray scored her second point and then Beth Carton scored her third goal to extend the distance between the two teams.Lorraine Bray then scored her third point from a free to complete Waterford's scoring. Derry did score a consolation point but this Waterford team excelled on the day and were ably prepared by team management of Shane Ahearne, Dan Geoghegan and Maurice Cahillane.

Gailtir Retain Feile Crown

The 2014 camogie Feile was played on Monday 20th April at the Ballygunner GAA grounds in Waterfod City and the 2013 champions retained their title to once again represent Waterford in June. This Galltir team is well balanced and they won most of their games easily during the competition. Gailtir beat Dungarvan in the semi-final who then went onto win the Shield against Portlaw.

Waterford U14s

The Waterford U14 panel played a challenge match against Kilkenny U14s last Sunday morning in Windgap and were victorious on a score of 7-08 to 5-08. Well done to all concerned.

Waterford Camogie Academy

The 2014 academy coaching commenced during the school Easter holidays and there is no doubt that the players are benefitting from the excellent coaching facilities at WIT Carriganore as can be seen from the recent county team underage results. Well done to all involved.

Upcoming Fixtures

Munster Minor Shield Final versus Clare which is on Sat 3rd May at 3pm in Kilbehenny.
The Adult county team play Tipperary in the Munster Senior Champ on Mon May 5th at 6.30pm in the Ragg County Tipperary

County Camogie Leagues

St Anne’s  have reached the league semi-final and will face Butlerstown. Lismore have reached the other semi-final but Brickey Rangers, An Rinn and Gaultir are all still in with a chance to secure the last remaining space.
The final will go ahead on Sat 10th May along with the Junior final of Ferrybank v Roanmore.

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Gailltír are off to Féile again in 2014.

Gailltír Camogie Club

Waterford Féile Champions 2014

On bank holiday Monday last in Ballygunner, five teams took part in a camogie blitz to see who would represent Waterford at this year’s Féile finals in Ulster in June. The draw saw Gailltír with a by straight into the semi finals, De La Salle played Lismore in the first round winning on a score line of 7-5 to 3-4, they went on to beat Portlaw 6-4 to 0-0 in the semi for a place in the final.

Gailltír v Dungarvan in the other semi final with 15 of last year’s all Ireland winning panel eligible to play again this year, a good win on a score line of 10-1 to 0-1 would see last year’s finalists face off again. Half time saw Gailltír lead by 4-3 to 0-1 a second half tally of 2-10 by Gailltír saw them run out convincing winners on the day Gailltír 6-13 De La Salle 0-1

Scores for Gailltír  Annie & Aoife Fitzgerald, Ciara O Sullivan, Robin Whitty, Katie Judge and Clodagh Carroll. Dungarvan went on to win the plate final and will be represented in Ulster by Kaeisha Tobin who won the Féile Skills competition on Sunday.

The girls are back in championship action on Tuesday night when they take on St. Anne’s away.    

Seniors

Mixed results for our seniors in the league so far but after the féile they travelled to Ring where they beat An Rionn on a score line of 4.09 to 00.13 to earn a play off place, Dates and venue TBC.

A big congratulations to Sara Judge and Doireann Flynn and all  the Waterford Minor camogie team and mentors who won the all Ireland final on Saturday.

 

Waterford's Ciara Grant moves clubs after 15 years.

Reports that former Republic of Ireland International, Waterford’s most capped International player Ciara Grant has retired have proven false.

The former Benfica Club player who lined out in the heart of the Arsenal Ladies defence for 15 years has joined Reading FC Women.

The Waterford lady in her 15 year stint at Arsenal made over 400 appearances picking up 30 trophies while an Arsenal player.

While playing with Arsenal Ladies Ciara Grant win Nine Premier League titles, Nine FA Cups, Six League Cups, Three FA WSL Continental Cups, Two Super League titles and an UEFA Champions League medal in 2007.

As well as having an illustrious career with Arsenal, the Waterford lady became the first lady to win 100 caps with the Republic of Ireland and finished her international career with a then record 105 caps. While with the Republic of Ireland she captained the side for seven years.

The Waterford Lady is one of a host of players that have left Arsenal over the past few months. Steph Houghton has moved to Manchester City, Kim Little has moved to American side Seattle, Katie Chapman has moved across London to Chelsea, Jayne Ludlow has taken over as Manager of Reading, Gilly Flaherty has moved to Chelsea along with Katie Chapman, former Captain Ellen White has joined Notts County Ladies who were created in 2014 when Lincoln Ladies were controversially relocated from Lincoln to Nottingham and rebranded. The club were originally formed in Lincoln in 1995 and also spent a period known as Lincoln City Ladies, Gemma Davison has moved to Merseyside to join Liverpool, Rebecca Spencer has moved to the midlands to join Birmingham and Jennifer Beattie has moved across the channel to join French side Mountpellier.

Modeligo Lady Involved in Division One Camogie League Play offs.

We all know that Camogie in Waterford has come on leaps and bounds in the last number of years.

The hard work began almost a decade ago now when the Waterford under 16 team won the All-Ireland final and from that team a number of players have gone on to be regulars in the Waterford Junior and Intermediate sides.

That win spurred a host of young players to get involved in the game and now many of these players are part and parcel of different inter county teams.

Camogie in Waterford got a major boost a few weeks back when Lismore were crowned all-Ireland Club Champions for the first time, beating Kilkenny side Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Lismore’s success meant that Waterford in the league were unable to field a strong as team as the selectors might have liked in the games they played, but this did allow players who may be seen as been on the fringe getting a chance to play at a high level and to show the selectors what they are capable of doing.

Waterford failed to reach the semi finals this year in the league, but have no doubt that come championship time, Niall O’Donnell will have a full strength side to choose from.

Waterford appeared in two All-Ireland Junior finals before they won the competition in 2011 appearing in their third final in a row. Since then Waterford have appeared in two Intermediate All-Ireland semi finals where they were beaten in both games by Galway, but there is something telling me that once more it could prove to be third time lucky for Waterford this year and that in the middle of September large volumes of supporters will be making their way to GAA head quarters to support the team on All-Ireland Final Day.

While Waterford will not be involved in the National League semi finals this year, many may be surprised to find out that Waterford could have an interest in the semi finals, not in the Division two grade where Waterford played, but in Division One.

I am sure the name Marguerita McCarthy will mean nothing to some.

Marguerita is from the West Waterford parish of Modeligo. For many years she has played Ladies football for the Na Déise Club (Touraneena and Modeligo). She for the past few years is studying in Limerick and has taken up playing Camogie with the Ahane Club, first playing in 2011. She continues to play Football with Na Déise and is of course a huge Waterford Fan and always keeps an eye and an ear our for all that his happening in her home county.

On Wednesday of this week (April 16) she will be part of the Limerick team that plays Clare in a three way play off to see who will play Cork in the semi finals. Galway is the third team involved in the play off.

Limerick moved to the top slight for this year having won the Division two final last year, where they beat Kildare who in turn beat Waterford in the semi finals.

In the league so far they have recorded an excellent 4-14 to 2-3 win over Derry and a 2-10 to 1-9 win over All-Ireland Intermediate Champions from 2013 – Galway but lost their third game in the league against Clare (0-10 to 0-8) a defeat that cost them a place automatically in the semi finals. They also lost to Kilkenny on a 2-13 to 1-6 score line in Nolan Park on the same day that Waterford lost to the Cats in the National League.

Even though Clare beat Galway in the first play off game (1-10 to 0-8) the Limerick side with Marguerita expected to play in the middle of the field for them will be confident of beating their neighbours at the second time of asking this year, as of the three teams involved in the play offs they are the only one of them to finish with a positive score difference on the league table.

If Limerick do beat Clare that play Galway on Sunday at a Galway venue and time yet to be confirmed, and should they win that game they will play Cork in the last four, but should Limerick who are expected to be with Niamh Mulcahy, Caoimhe Costello and Sarah Collins for the play off games fail to beat Clare in Clonlara then the Banner Ladies would advance to meet Cork as a result of winning their two play off games.

Are you involved in Ladies Sports in Waterford City or County?

If you are involved in women’s sports I would love to here from you. Local and National Radio stations as well as the local and National papers can only give over a certain amount of space to sport each day and each week.

Often because women’s sports are seen as minority sports, editors who have a tough task in calling what gets included and what had to be left out, often has to give most coverage to the most popular male sports.

Most will be aware that I give a reasonable amount of coverage to Camogie and Ladies Football on by deiseabu.blogspot blog (I cant say I give it lots as it is impossible to get to as many games as I would like) and will continue to give the games coverage there, but I will be doing so here as well. On here I would like for example to give clubs an opportunity to have their club notes etc given space. I know that many clubs have them in the local papers in the city and the county as well as on Facebook page etc, but this would be another outlet available to clubs – FREE of charge.

However it is not just Camogie and Ladies Football I want to include here. I want to here from Female Soccer Clubs, Female Rugby Clubs, Female sections of Golf Club, Athletic Clubs, Basketball Clubs, Boxing Clubs, Tennis, Marshall Arts Clubs, Swimming, Rowing, any clubs really.

If Clubs want, I can even put up photo’s for them with their notes. Photo’s etc. might even capture the attention of people that do read the pieces.

If clubs or individuals want to have items included, please be aware that views expressed are that of the author or the club sending the items to me, and not necessary mine.

If interested, then email me your notes and news (keanethomas@eircom.net) and I will upload them as soon as I can.

As this is a free service and there is nothing out of it financially for me, anybody that does supply items for inclusion will not receive any fee.