In what could only be described as a titanic struggle Waterford ladies
football team overcame Tipperary by the narrowest of margins with a last gasp
one point win to annex the LIDL Division 3 title. Maria Delahunty’s amazing
free from out on the wing gave Waterford victory and promotion to Division 2
after an enthralling game of football played at an electrifying pace. Waterford
opened the more brightly of the two teams and had three points on the board
courtesy of Sinead Ryan and Maria Delahunty before Tipp roared into the game
with a well taken goal by Mairead Morrissey. Sinead Ryan put the Déise back in
front in the 14th minute only for Aisling Moloney to cancel it out with a
Tipperary point.
Waterford hit another purple patch with three unanswered points from
Linda Wall, Aileen Wall and Katie Murray only for the Tipp girls to hit back
with four points of their own, two from Mairead Morrissey and one each from
Edel Hanley and Aisling Moloney to leave Tipp. Waterford weathered the storm
and a great goal from midfielder Katie Murray and a point from player of the
match in the last minute of the first half meant that Waterford went to the
dressing room with a two point advantage 1-7 to 1-5.
Tipperary started the second half well and it took two great saves from
Katie Hannon to preserve Waterford’s lead. Gillian O Brien and Aileen Wall
traded points in the 4th and 6th minutes before Aisling
Moloney brought it back to a one point game in the 9th minute. Katie
Murray and substitute Michelle Ryan stretched Waterford’s lead but two points
from Edith Carroll and Gillian O Brien left one point between the teams with 15
minutes to go. Waterford were rocked with an injury to Louise Ryan which led to
a long stoppage but substitute Nicola Fennell made an immediate impact when she
set up Sinead Ryan for a point to put two between the teams with 10 minutes to
go. A determined run from Lorraine O Shea led to the Tipp midfielder pointing
to once again leave the bare minimum between two great teams. Maria Delahunty
edged Waterford further in front with a point with six minutes to go.
However Tipperary were not finished and two points from centre forward
Mairead Morrissey left it all square with two minutes left on the clock. It
looked like extra time was looming but there was to be a final twist in the
tail and it was Maria Delahunty that clinched it for Waterford as the final
hooter sounded with that amazing free from 30 metres out to ensure Waterford
were crowned league champions. Waterford now go on to face Cork in the first
round of the senior championship on Saturday next in Fermoy.
WATERFORD: K Hannon; M
Wall, M McGrath, L Wall(0-1); E Murray, M Dunford, A Mullaney; L Ryan, K
Murray(1-2); M Delahunty(0-4), R Tobin, C McGrath; A Wall(0-2), G Kenneally, S
Ryan(0-3).
Subs: L Devine for
McGrath (23), M Ryan(0-1) for Tobin (39), C Hurley for Devine (44), N Fennell
for L Ryan (46), L McGregor for Mullaney (53).
TIPPERARY: P Hickey; B
Condon, S Lambert, S Delahunty; A O’Dwyer, J Grant, C Mullins; L O’Shea(0-1), S
Carew; C Walsh, M Morrissey(1-4), E Myles; A Moloney(0-3), G O’Brien(0-2), E Hanley(0-1).
Subs: E Carroll (0-1)
for Walsh (25), A McCarthy for Hanley (50), C O’Dwyer for Mullins (55), A
O’Shea for Carroll (58).
Under 16’s comeback falls narrowly short in Munster
Final
Waterford’s under 16 ladies team narrowly failed to take Munster final
honours in a fine open game of attacking football against near neighbours
Tipperary on Saturday last in Mallow. Two goals from Tipperary attackers Róisín
Daly and Sarah Delaney left seven points between the teams despite three points
from Dungarvan’s Kaiesha Tobin and one from her club mate Sarah Lacey at half
time with the Premier County leading on the scoreline of Tipperary 2-5
Waterford 0-4.
In the second half Tipperary continued to attack and put points on
the scoreboard to leave the Premier well in control ahead by seven points with
twelve minutes remaining. Indeed it could have been much more only for the
brilliance of Waterford’s goalie Rosie Landers from Ballyduff who made two outstanding
saves to keep Waterford in the game. Waterford hearts refused to give in and
began to reel Tipperary in at the death and showed tremendous character. With
two minutes to go the Deise girls were rewarded with a goal from Keeley Corbett
Barry and laid an onslaught on the Tipperary goal in search of an equaliser.
Tipp broke away and scored the all important insurance point that broke
Waterford hearts to leave the final score Tipperary 2-11 Waterford 1-10 in a
pulsating encounter. Waterford’s goalie Rosie Landers was a deserving winner of
the player of the match with her numerous wonderful saves.
Hard luck to Johnny Troy and his management team and a wonderful group
of girls who gave everything for the cause and we wish Tipperary all the best
in the All Ireland semi finals.
Minors take Munster Crown
Waterford minor ladies football team lifted the Munster title with an
emphatic win over a game Limerick team in Charleville on Monday last. Waterford
started in whirlwind fashion with three points on the board before Limerick got
their only score of the first half a point from play in the 11th
minute. The Deise girls took control with a 13th minute goal from
Katie Murray and nine unanswered points shared between Ciara Hurley, Katie
Murray, Aoife Murray and Chloe Fennell left daylight between the teams with the
half time score line reading Waterford 1-12 Limerick 0-1
In the second half Waterford intensity levels dropped somewhat and
Limerick aided by a strong breeze came more into the game with an 8th
minute goal from Niamh O Keeffe but Waterford made sure not to let matters slip
with three points from Katie Murray, Ciara Hurley and Chloe Fennell before Lia
Nic Craith put the icing on the cake with a well taken goal in the last minute
of the game to leave the final score Waterford 2-15 Limerick 1-4. Captain Katie
Murray was presented with the cup and hard working Chloe Fennell was a well
deserved recipient of the player of the match award. A semi final meeting
with Connacht champions Roscommon awaits the team in July.
