Déise Ladies face Kerry in Munster Senior Football Final

In a novel pairing Waterford Ladies meet their counterparts from Kerry in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the TG4 Munster Senior Final in Mallow on Saturday July 8^th in Mallow GAA complex. This is the first time in 10 years that Waterford will make an appearance in the Munster Senior Final and you have to go back to 2003 when these two teams met at the same stage of the championship with the Kingdom coming out on top by two points.

Waterford enter this final on the back of two very impressive victories already in the Munster championship in the round robin series of games. They beat Kerry in the first round back in May in Fraher Field on a three point margin Waterford 2-9 Kerry 1-9 in a game that was full of good football and excitement all through. In their second match Waterford clinched their place in the Munster final by defeating the reigning All Ireland champions Cork for the first time since 2003 in an epic encounter on the score line Waterford 3-10 Cork 1-11.

This left Kerry and Cork having to battle it out in the last game for the right to play Waterford in the final and Kerry duly prevailed with two late goals courtesy of Sarah Houlihan and Anna Galvin to clinch their spot by two points, Kerry 2-15 Cork 2-13.The final will be an intriguing encounter as it is very hard to call how this game will go. Neither team set the world alight in the LIDL National League at the start of the season and failed to qualify for the semi finals of their respective divisions but both teams have really impressed in the subsequent Munster campaign.

Kerry have a very good side with many well known players in their ranks, Aislinn Desmond is a welcome return at full back for manager Graham Shine. She is a resolute defender and will be well aided by Aisling Leonard, Ciara and Sarah Murphy. In mid-field Aisling O Connell is expected to make a return after injury and up front Sarah Houlihan, Anna Galvin, Amanda Brosnan and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh will pose problems for the Waterford defence.

Waterford have a number of minor injury doubts also but hopefully these will have cleared up by the weekend. Jessica Fitzgerald has played very well in goal since coming in for the injured Katie Hannon but the Ballyduff girl is now fit again and is training very hard in the hope of making Pat Sullivan’s starting 15. The back line has been a very strong unit with the same 6 starting both championship games so far. In the full back line Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath and Kate McGrath have performed heroics against difficult and talented forwards. In the half line Dearbhaile Ní hAodha, Karen McGrath and Michelle McGrath have been very impressive and Maireád Wall and Emma Murray have worked well in the middle of the field.

Up front it is worth noting that all of the six starting forwards scored against Cork with both Michelle Ryan with five points from play and Aileen Wall with a goal and two points also from play being the top scorers. The other forwards have an eye for a score also Róisín Tobin has got goals against both Kerry and Cork, Gráinne Kenneally got a goal against Cork, Maria Delahunty was top scorer against Kerry with seven points including some wonderful long distance frees while Katie Murray is always good for a vital score or two in every game.

Kerry will go into the match as favourites as they have competed in Division 1 of the league and have been in action most recently. Waterford are well prepared, have the ability and know-how to perform well on the day and are now playing with a self confidence that they can beat any given team on any given day. This will be an intriguing clash of two good footballing teams and the Déise ladies are well capable of claiming yet another major scalp and take Munster honours.

Throw-In, at the Mallow GAA complex for the TG4 Munster Final is on Saturday July 8^th at 3:15.

De La Salle Well Represented On County Squads:

Best of luck to Beth Carton, Brianna O Regan,  Ciara Twomey & Niamh Murphy who play away to Galway next Sun in the Senior championship. 

Waterford v Dublin in the Junior Championship takes place on Saturday, Katie O'Keeffe & Colette Hogan are on this panel.

Lucy Hogan is on duty away to Tipperary next Sun in the U-16A championship. 

Keep up the good work girls.

Sympathy

De La Salle Camogie Club would like to offer its deepest sympathies to the family of the late Michael Drohan, Tirconnel Ave, Lismore Lawn, Waterford on his recent passing. Michael's son Declan and his grandchildren Caoimhe & Evan are all heavily involved in both the Camogie and GAA club teams over the last number of years.

Fixtures: 

U-16A championship Tues 27th June @ 7.30pm in Gracedieu v Dungarvan. 

U-12 Weds 26th June @ 7pm in Gracedieu v Tramore. 

Please support the girls. 

Follow all our Camogie clubs daily updates on our Facebook page. 

Déise Hopes Dented In Ennis

Waterford’s hopes of an All-Ireland quarter-final place were severely dented on Saturday when being forced to succumb from a strong second half fight back from hosts Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis.

Having secured a minimum victory over the Banner County in their first year at senior level last July, a second successive championship triumph appeared to be on the cards when Kate McMahon and Niamh Rockett raided for first half goals to give wind-assisted Waterford a six point advantage.

However, they were unable to build on that cushion and instead, those sucker-punches only seemed to motivate the home side who finished with the last four points of the half before maintaining that momentum on the restart to outscore the visitors by 1-8 to 0-3 and surge seven points clear by the 50th minute.
A late goal from substitute Becky Kavanagh did provide a glimmer of hope for never-say-die Waterford who slashed the arrears to just three. However, Clare would respond with a goal of their own through Aoife Keane to alleviate any grandstand finish and cement their first championship win since 2015.
It was all so different in the opening half as Waterford hit the ground sprinting to surge four points clear by the eighth minute. Backed by the conditions and the use of Jenny McCarthy as a sweeper, the visitors replied to Chloe Morey’s opener with points through Beth Carton and Lorraine Bray before being bettered by the opening goal only a minute later.

It stemmed from a flowing move involving Caithriona McGlone and Carton who cleverly picked out the overlapping run of unmarked Kate McMahon to solo through and billow the net at 1-2 to 0-1.

Clare hit back with four of the next five points, all from Morey placed balls to make it a one point game, only for Waterford to pull away once more with a further brace of Carton points along with a rather fortuitous second goal in the 24th minute when Niamh Rockett’s effort for a point from 50 metres deceived goalkeeper Ciara McCarthy and bounced over her head to push Waterford 2-5 to 0-5 in front.

With Shauna Kiernan excellent in defence and McMahon and Carton working tirelessly up front, that six point margin would have been a satisfactory cushion by the break. However, Clare upped the ante in the final minutes, with two points apiece from Morey and Andrea O’Keeffe lowering the deficit to just two at 2-5 to 0-9 with the wind to come.

While Kate McMahon had an early goal opportunity smothered by a combination of Carol O’Leary and Maire McGrath, Waterford never looked as composed and assured in the second period as Clare took over in the scoring stakes.
Three Morey points edged the Banner in front only a Carton free from 45 metres demonstrating Waterford’s initial resistance. However, Chloe Morey continue to be a thorn in their side, finishing the hour with 15 points, and she soon got the home side back on top while also seeing a shot at goal excellently saved by goalkeeper Brianna O’Regan by the end of the third quarter.

The decisive moment of this must-win tie arrived in the 46th minute when Beth Carton bore down on the Clare goal only to be excellently dispossessed by a Carol O’Leary flick, with the home side immediately countering to put substitute Aine O’Loughlin through to find the net on their way to a 1-17 to 2-07 lead.

Craving a response, Waterford reverted to a more orthodox formation, pushing captain Fiona Morrissey to full-forward in search of a lifeline. And it would pay off in the 55th minute when after a Bray point, Carton and Morrissey teed up Áine Lyng to shoot at goal. That effort was parried by goalkeeper McCarthy but substitute Becky Kavanagh was quickest to react to flick the rebound to the net at 1-17 to 3-08.

While Clare reacted with a Niamh O’Dea point in the next passage of play to restore a four point margin, Waterford’s best chance of a goal was once more denied by O’Leary who again pounced at the perfect moment to deny Carton.
Clare finally made the game safe with an opportunistic Aoife Keane goal but true to form, Waterford never gave up but found full-back O’Leary in defiant mood once more as she blocked a Niamh Rockett shot before having to settle for a consolation score.

With a two week gap until the next outing away to Galway before finishing their group campaign on home soil against Dublin the following Saturday, it’s now must-win territory for Waterford to advance to the business end of the All-Ireland championship.
Clare: Ciara McCarthy; Amy Barrett, Carol O’Leary, Maire McGrath; Laura McMahon, Claire Hehir, Róisín McMahon; Orlaith Duggan, Ciara Grogan; Orla Devitt, Aoife Keane, Andrea O’Keeffe; Chloe Morey, Niamh O’Dea, Aoibheann Duggan Subs: Áine O’Loughlin for Aoibheann Duggan, Emma O’Connell for Claire Hehir, Vera Loughnane for Orla Devitt.

Scorers: Chloe Morey 0-15 (8f, 1 ‘45), Aoife Keane 1-1, Áine O’Loughlin 1-0, Andrea O’Keeffe 0-2, Niamh O’Dea 0-1. 

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Aoife Landers, Fiona Morrissey, Claire Whyte; Marie Russell, Shauna Kiernan, Mairead Power; Iona Heffernan, Áine Lyng; Caithriona McGlone, Jenny McCarthy, Kate McMahon; Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray Subs Becky Kavanagh (1-0) for Iona Heffernan, Valerie O’Brien for Áine Lyng, Niamh Ahearne for Caithriona McGlone, Annie Glavey for Mairead Power.

Scorers: Beth Carton 0-6 (3F), Kate McMahon 1-1, Niamh Rockett, Becky Kavanagh 1-0 each, Lorraine Bray 0-2.

Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork)

Lismore Players Represent The Déise

Waterford and Kilkenny played the first round of the 2107 Senior Inter-County Camogie Championship on Saturday last June 10th in Walsh Park. Kilkenny who were the 2106 All Ireland Champions, showed why they were champions and came out convincing winners despite Waterford's great efforts. Waterford will go on to play Clare in the next round on Saturday next June 17th in Ennis. We wish the Waterford girls and especially our own girls Caithriona McGlone, Shauna Kiernan and Marie Russell the best of luck

Puck Fada

Lismore Camogie Club had three representatives in the U16 Puck Fada competition which took place in Mahon Falls on Monday last June12th. U16 representatives were Kelly Ryan, Jane Russell and Lorna Foley all three represented the club with great pride but unfortunately didn't claim any silverware.

Marie Russell was the Adult representative for the club and claimed 2nd place.

The clubs markers for the night were; Shauna Prendergast, Ruth Geoghegan, Sophie Landers, Ray Ryan and Jim Russell.

Clothes Collection

Lismore Camogie Club are once again doing a clothes collection as one of their fundraisers. Clothes can be dropped or collected by contacting Mary Russell (086)3326128, Jojo Tobin (087)2063880 or Eilish McGlone (086)1223015

U16 County Championship 2017

The 2107 U16 B County Championship commences on June 27th and our girls will play last years U16B Champions Modeligo in Lismore.

Sharp Kilkenny prevail on opening day

All Ireland champions Kilkenny overran Waterford with a slick attacking display on Saturday afternoon to open their O’Duffy Cup defence in style.

Ann Downey sent out thirteen of the team from last September and set to work straight away in blustery Walsh Park conditions. Lively corner forward Shelly Farrell and player of the match Katie Power hit the net in either half to put the game far beyond the hosts. Julie Ann Malone also impressed with three first half points. Their fluid forward movement and accurate short passing created openings. A mean defence held the Déise scoreless from play over the sixty minutes as Collette Dormer marshalled Beth Carton.

Jenny McCarthy acted as a seventh defender for the home side and while Waterford got in the faces of the black and amber, they didn’t carry a sufficient attacking threat. Their possession game broke down too often in the final third. Carton sent over four frees while the returning Aine Lyng contributed two. Brianna O’Regan, Claire Whyte and Aoife Landers gave their all in white and blue.

The favourites led from start to finish and posted three wind assisted points inside four minutes through Katie Power, Denise Gaule (free) and Julie Ann Malone. Aine Lyng marked her inter county comeback with a free on eight minutes. Shelly Farrell responded immediately.

Twelve minutes in, Malone capitalised on a Waterford mistake and advanced towards goal. O’Regan bravely saved twice from Farrell and Michelle Quilty but Farrell scrambled it over the line (1-4 to 0-1).

At the other end, McGlone was fouled by Malone but Lyng pulled her free wide. The sharp combination play among the Kilkenny forwards disrupted Waterford’s defensive shape. Two Malone points either side of a Katie Power single left it 1-7 to 0-1.

Carton foraged deep to get possession and soloed along the stand sideline. Her stick pass located Kate McMahon on the burst. Eamon Collins waved away appeals for a free but he eventually whistled for a foul on McGlone. Carton duly converted.

Captain Anna Farrell and 2016 player of the year Denise Gaule gave the favourites a double figure lead. There was some encouragement in added time for Waterford when Lyng and Carton both raised white flags from frees (1-9 to 0-4).

O’Brien’s outfit came out for the second half with real intent. Niamh Rockett pressurised Anne Dalton into the concession of a free. Carton retrieved Lyng’s delivery but her shot was blocked down.

The De La Salle forward then closed the gap to seven after a push from Collette Dormer. Faced with a determined rearguard action, Kilkenny couldn’t add to their tally during the third quarter. Jenny McCarthy and Marie Russell received yellows but Gaule surprisingly missed two easy frees. McCarthy and O’Regan charged down shots on goal from Michelle Quilty and Miriam Walsh.

Those exertions took a toll however as Kilkenny produced 1-6 in a powerful final quarter. Danielle Morrissey was introduced and made up for Gaule’s inaccuracy with three points. Three minutes from time, Power exchanged passes with Quilty and lashed to the far corner of the net. On a frustrating afternoon for the Déise forwards, Rockett’s late effort at a point from play fell short. Carton dispatched a consolation free with the final puck of the contest.

In the other Group 1 game, Clare lost to Dublin by 3-11 to 1-14 at Parnells. Waterford travel to Cusack Park on Saturday with both teams desperate for two points to keep their quarter final hopes alive.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Katie Power 1-3, Shelly Farrell 1-1, Julie Ann Malone, Danielle Morrissey (2fs) 0-3 each, Anna Farrell, Denise Gaule (2fs) 0-2 each, Miriam Walsh 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: Beth Carton 0-4 (4fs), Aine Lyng 0-2 (2fs).

Kilkenny: Emma Kavanagh; Catherine Foley, Davina Tobin, Collette Dormer; Claire Phelan, Anne Dalton, Grace Walsh; Meighan Farrell, Anna Farrell; Julie Ann Malone, Katie Power, Denise Gaule; Shelly Farrell, Miriam Walsh, Michelle Quilty.

Subs: Danielle Morrissey for Malone, Jenny Clifford for Shelly Farrell, Jenny Reddy for Anna Farrell, Grace O’Donnell for Gaule.

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Marie Russell, Fiona Morrissey, Claire Whyte; Mairead Power, Shauna Kiernan, Iona Heffernan; Kate McMahon, Aoife Landers; Aine Lyng, Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett; Caithriona McGlone, Jenny McCarthy, Lorraine Bray.

Subs: Niamh Ahearne for McMahon, Valerie O’Brien for Landers, Becky Kavanagh for Lyng.

Referee: Eamon Cassidy (Derry)

 

All Ireland Senior Championship Round 2

Best of luck to our seniors who take on Clare in Round 2 of the Liberty Insurance All Ireland Championship.  This game will take place on Saturday 17^th of June in Cusack Park, Ennis at 2.30pm.  Please come out and support the girls.

Camogie Feile

Best of luck to Gailltir and Modeligo who represent Waterford in the National feile competition Division 1 and 2 this weekend.

Camogie Feile Skills National Competition:

Well done to Anna Mai Drohan who represented Waterford in the National Feile Skills in Abbotstown on Saturday last.

Under 12 Competition Results:

 U12A Wednesday 7th of June:

Portlaw 3-0 Gailtir 4-3

U12A Thursday 8th of June:

Cappoquin v Dungarvan

U12B1 Tuesday 6th of June:

Modeligo 6-3 An Rinn 3-0

Butlerstown 0-0 DLS 0-0

Abbeyside 4-2 Tramore 2-1

U12B2 Tuesday 6th of June:

Clonea 4-4 Lismore 2-1

Tallow 3-1 Ballyduff Upper 0-1

Brickey Rangers 5-5 Gailtir 0-0

Waterford Camogie Office

Waterford camogie Office is open every  Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.  Our office is located in Dungarvan Nissan.  If you have any queries or want to get in contact with us you can do so by contacting Ciara Langan on 086 8113531 or John Flood on 087 6684474.  You will also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Waterford take on Reigning all Ireland champions in the opening round of the Championship.

Best of luck to our senior team who take on Kilkenny on Saturday next at 2.30PM in Walsh Park. Preparations have gone very well over the past few weeks with Waterford playing a number of challenge matches against Cork, Wexford and Rathnure. We would urge as many of people to come out and support the team.  A massive crowd is expected for this local derby and it would be great to see alot of Waterford supporters.

The Waterford Panel for the upcoming championship are

1.       Aoife Landers        -        An Rinn

2.       Fiona Morrissey     -        An Rinn

3.       Aoife Shanahan     -        Butlerstown

4.       Kate McMahon     -        Butlerstown

5.       Sadie Mae Rowe    -        Butlerstown

6.       Jenny McCarthy     -        Cappoquin

7.       Lorraine Bray        -        Cappoquin

8.       Ciara Toomey        -        De la Salle

9.       Beth Carton          -        De La Salle

10.     Brianna O’Regan  -        De la Salle

11.     Niamh Murphy      -        De la Salle

12.     Iona Heffernan      -        Ferrybank

13.     Niamh Ahearne     -        Ferrybank

14.     Caitriona McGlone          -        Lismore

15.     Shona Kiernan      -        Lismore

16.     Marie Russell         -        Lismore

17.     Mairead Power      -        Piltown

18.     Áine Power           -        Piltown

19.     Becky Kavanagh    -        St. Anne’s

20.     Claire Whyte          -        St. Anne’s

21.     Claire Murphy        -        St. Anne’s

22      Niamh Rockett      -        St. Anne’s

23.     Emma Roche        -        Gailltir

24.     Annie Galvey        -        Gailltir

25.     Áine Lyng             -        Gailltir

26.     Ciara Jackman       -        Gailltir

27.     Abbie Dunphy      -        Tramore

Manager: Ray O Brien, Camogie Coach: Shane Dunphy  Selector Seamus McCarthy Cappoquin. 

Under 14 County finals.

The Under 14A B and B2 County finals took place last Saturday in Fraher field.  Congratulations to Gailltir who beat Modeligo in the A Final and Congratulations to Brickey Rangers who beat An Rinn in B Final and Congratulations to Tramore who beat Dungarvan in the B2 final. All matches were very competitive and it was great credit to all six teams.   Thanks to Waterford GAA for the use of Fraher Field.

Results:

Under 14A final

Gailltir 1-10  Modeligo  2-2

Under 14B Final

Brickey Rangers 3-9  An Rinn 2-2

Under 14B2 Final

Tramore 5-4 Dungarvan  2-4

Feile Skills:

Best of luck to Anna Mai Drohan from Gailltir who represents Waterford in the Feile skills this weekend.

Leaving Cert and Junior Cert

Best of luck to all our Camogie players in their exams starting this Wednesday.

Camogie Poc Fada

The 2017 Waterford Poc Fada takes place on Monday 12th June at Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains. There will be U16 & Senior Poc Fada on the night with the winners qualifying for Munster Poc Fada on Saturday 24th June in the Burren, Co Clare.

This year both the Hurling & Camogie Poc Fada will take pace on the 12th June in Mahon Falls. We hope to have a good number of Hurling & Camogie players taking part in the Poc Fada.

The U16 Hurling & Camogie Poc Fada starts at 6.30pm with Senior Camogie at 6.45pm and Senior Hurling at 7pm. We would ask that those planning to take part would register with GDA's before Friday 9th June.

For any further information please contact Vice Chairperson Sean O'Regan or Games Development Manager Eoin Breathnach.

Waterford stun holders Cork to book place in TG4 Munster Ladies SFC final

Waterford pulled off a spectacular win in the Munster Ladies championship over reigning All Ireland champions Cork to qualify for the Munster final on July 8^th. From the word go the Déise girls were not overawed by a star studded Cork team who have won 10 All Irelands in the last 11 years and took the fight to the Cork girls from the very first attack.

Waterford had the first score on the board after only 19 seconds with a well taken point from Aileen Wall to give Waterford a lead that ultimately they would never surrender during the game. Waterford’ s second attack resulted in a wonder goal well taken by Róisín Tobin after some really slick passing in the Waterford forward line in the 3^rd minute. A 9^th minute injury to Mairead Wall disrupted the rhythm of the Waterford team somewhat and Cork seized the initiative to record three quick points in a row from captain Bríd O Sullivan, Lilly Coppiner and Áine O Sullivan to narrow the gap by the 12^th minute. In the 14^th minute Maria Delahunty steadied the Waterford ship with a well taken free from almost 45 metres and almost immediately from the kick out, a Waterford move led to Gráinne Kenneally rattling the back of the Cork net for a second time to leave the score Waterford 2-2 Cork 0-3.

Katie Murray stretched the lead with a point in the 16^th minute and a wonderful finish and a point by Michelle Ryan left Waterford seven points to the good after 20 minutes. Áine O’Sullivan’s 25^th minute goal hauled Cork back into contention but Waterford’s response was quick and decisive with points from Aileen Wall and Michelle Ryan just before half time leaving the Déise ahead at the break by double scores Waterford 2-6 Cork 1-3.There was a buzz around the ground during the half time break with the large crowd in attendance expecting a second half onslaught from the Cork girls. Bríd O Sullivan opened their account in the first minute of the second half but two brilliant points from Michelle Ryan continued Waterford’s momentum along with a point from Róisín Tobin left nine between the teams with five minutes of the second half gone.

Cork’s manager Ephie Fitzgerald rung the changes and it seemed that the game was swinging ominously in Cork’s favour with five unanswered points courtesy of three from Eimear Scally and two from the other corner forward Orla Finn to leave Cork only four points down with 51 minutes on the clock. Waterford refused to wilt and a move out of defence started by Caoimhe McGrath in the full back line ended with Aileen Wall hitting the back of the Cork net to leave Waterford five points in front and sensing a major victory. Michelle Ryan tacked on another point in the 56^th minute and while Cork had the majority of possession in the last few minutes the Waterford defence was resolute and the only reward for their efforts were two long range points from mid-fielder Jessica O Shea to leave the final score Waterford 3-11 Cork 1-11 in a game that will be remembered long in Waterford’s minds. This victory, Waterford’s first in senior championship over Cork since 2003, was well deserved and it was evident to all that Waterford played the better football on the day.

It was a great team performance with each of the girls playing their part. The defence was outstanding and made life very uncomfortable for the Cork attack who were being pressurised at every turn. In the full back line Caoimhe McGrath was a tower of strength and on many occasions helped turn defence into attack. Michelle Mc Grath was outstanding in the half back line and ran up and down the pitch all day making scores at one end and preventing them at the other. All six starting forwards scored and the accuracy of their attempts was brilliant to watch—only one wide in the first half. The three goals were all expertly taken by Róisín Tobin, Gráinne Kenneally and Aileen Wall who was a thorn in the side of the Cork defence all day. Michelle Ryan had an outstanding game, one of her best ever in the Waterford jersey seeing off four different Cork markers.

This was a great performance by a well organised Waterford team, well prepared by Pat Sullivan and his back room team. Waterford now advance to the Munster final on July the 8^th.

Waterford lined out as follows--- Jessica Fitzgerald, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath, Kate McGrath, Dearbhaile Ní Aodha, Karen McGrath, Michelle McGrath, Mairéad Wall, Emma Murray, Róisín Tobin(1-1), Gráinne Kenneally(1-0),Katie Murray(0-1),Aileen Wall(1-2),Maria Delahunty(0-2) and Michelle Ryan(0-5)

Subs used--- Eimear Fennell, Aoife Murray, Nicola Fennell and Lauren McGregor.