League final defeat for Waterford Ladies.

League final defeat for the Ladies.

Waterford Intermediate ladies efforts in winning the Tesco Homegrown Division 3 ladies football league final in Parnell Park, on Saturday last came up short and were eventually beaten by the favourites Armagh on the score line 1-14 to 1-5. The score line flatters Armagh and does not do justice to the efforts of the Waterford girls.

After a tentative opening ten minutes in which Waterford kicked three score able efforts wide, Michelle Ryan landed the opening score in the tenth minute. Armagh quickly responded and had three quick-fire points in a four minute spell through Lauren McConville, Mags McAlinden and Fionnuala Mc Kenna. In the 17^th minute Liz Devine got Waterford’s only point from play following a great pass from Aileen Wall to leave the minimum between the teams.

For the next five minutes it was all Waterford with wave after wave of attacks being led from the back line by Grainne Kenneally but the Deise girls spurned these chances which were to prove vital. Hannah Landers had a chance expertly blocked and the in rushing Shona Curran failed to put the ball in the net from the rebound. This was a major let off for Armagh and they made Waterford pay. A mistake in the Waterford defence led to a turn over, Lauren McConville played a one two with Mags McAlinden before blasting the ball high into net giving Waterford goalie Aimee Jordan no chance. This deflated the Waterford girls somewhat and Siobhan Mackle tagged on another point for Armagh to leave the Orchard County ahead at half time 1-6 to 0-2.

Michelle Ryan opened the scoring in the second half with a great free but Armagh hit back with four points to leave the gap ten points.  Instead of giving up the Waterford girls grabbed the initiative and attacked relentlessly. Shauna Dunphy had a goal bound effort blocked in the 10^th minute and two minutes later she redeemed herself with a well taken goal after Shona Curran’s rocket came back of the post. Shona Curran added a point of her own in the 13^th minute to narrow the gap to six points. Two minutes later Waterford were awarded a penalty but Michelle Ryan’s effort just went the wrong side of the post to Armagh’s relief. Hannah Landers cut the gap to five points but Armagh steadied the ship and added two points. In the last ten minutes the gap became very scrappy and four cards were flashed by the referee two yellows to Waterford players and a yellow and a straight red to Armagh players and indeed two other Armagh players were lucky not to have seen cards in the last few minutes as Waterford pressed forward for scores that would narrow the gap. Armagh closed out the game with two points to leave the final score Armagh 1-14 Waterford 1-5

This was a heart break result for the Deise girls who lacked nothing in effort and commitment on the day, a few breaks that went the Armagh way could just have easily happened for Waterford. The Waterford backs played well as a unit with Mary Foley, Grainne Kenneally and Karen McGrath prominent.  Midfielders Elaine Power and Michelle McGrath put in a great performance on the day totally eclipsing a much vaunted Armagh pairing. Our forwards had a tough day as the windy conditions led to some wayward shooting but Shona Curran, Hannah Landers and Shauna Dunphy caused major panic in the second half any time they got on the ball. This was a set back no doubt but many positives can be gleaned from the experience. Waterford now move on to the first round of the Munster championship against Limerick in June.

WATERFORD: A Jordan; N Dunphy, G Enright, M Foley; S Curran(0-1), K McGrath, G Kenneally; M McGrath (capt), E Power; L Wall, M Ryan(0-2) M Wall; A Wall, M Revins, L Devine(0-1)

Subs: H Landers(0-1) for Revins, S Dunphy(1-0) for Devine

Minors tackle Tipperary in Munster final

The inter county scene  now turns to our minors as they are preparing for a Munster final date against Tipperary in Fraher Field on Sunday next at 3:00. Based on recent results Tipperary will go into this game as the warmest of favourites as they ran Cork very close in the Munster A final. Waterford suffered a heavy defeat to the Rebel girls recently but the management and players both know that they have the ability to pull off a result on Sunday. Backed by members of the senior panel, Shauna Dunphy, Liz Devine, Lauren Mc Gregor, and Megan O Connor the team has trained well in recent weeks and will not be found lacking in effort. Captained by Comeragh Rangers Mairead Power, who will probably be partnered at mid field by her club mate Geraldine Power will have a very good duel with Tipp midfielders Aoife Corcoran and Maria Kissane.

Our defence will have to be at its best but with the likes of Katie Hayes, Clodagh Keane, Kate Hahessy, Emma Murray, Caitriona O Brien Caoimhe Mc Grath Aine Power and Megan O Connor we have players who will stand up to the task.

Up front Waterford have proven scorers in Jessica Glavin, Liz Devine, Shauna Dunphy, Lauren Guiry, Lauren Mc Gregor, and Aoife Dunne who can present problems. Tipp will go in as hot favourites but if the girls play the kind of football we know they can the Deise can come out on top.