Three in a row of Munster's for Waterford's Under 14's.

Under 14 record a Munster 3 in a row

Waterford Ladies under 14 team recorded a historic three in a row when they overcame a gallant Clare team that fought all the way to the end in Cappamore on Saturday last. Going in as favourites to the match, by virtue of defeating the Banner girls in the round-robin section of the competition, Waterford set about their task with an opening goal in the 2^nd minute by Abi Dunphy to give Waterford the dream start. Kaiesha Tobin and Abi were to share the next three scores two points from Kaiesha and a point from Abi to leave Waterford ahead after 13 minutes by six points while Clare had still to register a score. Clare then responded with two quick points before a long ball from centre back Katie Duggan Sullivan found Abi Dunphy who was fouled in the square and sharp shooter Kaiesha Tobin dispatched the penalty to the net to stretch the Waterford lead. Sarah Lacey pointed in the 25^th minute before Kaiesha added another goal and a point before half time to leave the score Waterford 3-5 Clare 0-3

Muireann Boyce opened the scoring for Waterford in the second half to stretch the lead to 12 points. Clare narrowed the gap with two quick points before Kaiesha Tobin steadied the ship with a pointed free to leave the score Waterford 3-7 Clare 0-5.Clare hit a purple patch and in a three minute spell had rattled the Waterford net three times to put a very different complexion on the game, indeed it could have been much worse for the Deise girls had it not been for the excellence of goal keeper Rosie Landers who made an number of wonderful saves . From there to the end of the game it was nip and tuck all the way with both defences on top as the play ebbed back and forth. Clare got two points in the final seven minutes to level the game and as the clock ticked down towards full time, Waterford substitute Áine Flynn broke Banner hearts with a well taken point to give the Deise a narrow one point victory on the score line Waterford 3-8 Clare 3-7

Waterford now move on to an All Ireland semi final appearance against either Monaghan or Antrim on June 14^th .Team management were well pleased with the result and the way the players responded and dug deep when they were rocked back by the three Clare goals, but are under no illusions about the amount of work and effort needed to reach a third all Ireland final in three years.

 Minors defeat Clare in Munster semi final

Waterford minors overcame a stiff challenge in the Munster semi final to set up a final date with Tipperary. In an unusual type of first half Waterford raced into an early lead had had Clare rocked with four early goals from Lauren Mc Gregor, Aoife Dunne, Jessica Glavin and Shauna Dunphy. However for the next twenty minutes the team fell asleep and allowed Clare to get the upper hand and score a goal and eight unanswered points to leave the bare minimum between the teams at half time Waterford 4-0 Clare 1-8. In the second half Waterford opened brightly with two points before Clare breeched the Waterford defence for two goals to leave the Banner team three points in front. The Waterford girls steadied themselves with a barrage of points from Lauren Mc Gregor, Aoife Dunne Jessica Glavin Mairead and Geraldine Power and Kate Hahessy along with a goal from Liz Devine to ensure that the Deise ran out winners by five points on a final score line of Waterford 5-10 Clare 4-8.

This was a good win for the Deise girls who now face Tipperary in the Munster final. Team management were pleased with the result but not with the way the team allowed Clare back into the match after such a blistering start. In defence Caitriona O Brien who replaced the injured Megan O Connor and Katie Hayes were outstanding. Mairead Power led like a captain from mid field and in the forward line Lauren Mc Gregor, Jessica Glavin, Aoife Dunne and substitute Aoife Murray were prominent.

Intermediate team face Armagh in League final

Waterford ladies face a trek to Parnell Park on Saturday next when they meet Armagh in the Tesco Home Grown Division 3 league decider with the throw in scheduled for 12:15. This game will present a tough task for the ladies as they were well beaten by a rampant Armagh team when the teams last met in Ardmore in early April. On that day Waterford got off to a dream start with a goal in the first minute by Linda Wall but that was as good as it got. Waterford went in at half time five points down but in the second half Armagh gave an exhibition of football and ran out easy winners in the end.

In the League semi finals Waterford had to work hard to overcome a determined Leitrim team in Birr while Armagh made light work of Tipperary in the other semi final. The Waterford team should be on expected lines Grainne Kenneally and Shona Curran have made welcome returns after their Camogie exploits and Grainne Enright is also back in the reckoning for a starting place.

Much will depend on how Waterford get on at mid field Michelle McGrath and Elaine Power are playing well there at the moment and they will need to be at their best to hold Sinead Mc Cleary and Caroline O Hanlon. The forwards racked up a good score against Leitrim scoring 3-7 in the second half alone. The Wall sisters Linda, Mairéad and Aileen along with Michelle Ryan, Margaret Revins, Liz Devine and Hannah Landers will be a handful for the Armagh defence. The Waterford backs will need to be vigilant as the Armagh forwards are well capable of cutting any defence open with their style of putting quick ball into the open spaces for the inside forwards to run on to and exploit. It will be a tough game for Waterford as Armagh were favourites to win the division and gain promotion from the outset but if Waterford play with the same determination that they produced in the semi final it will be a close encounter and Waterford could end up as league champions.