Waterford record a doube over Cork

Second half Performance seals win for Waterford Intermediate Camogie Team against Cork

The Waterford Intermediate camogie team continued their winning ways when they met Cork in the second round of the 2014 All Ireland Liberty Insurance Intermediate Championship at Carriganore on Saturday 28^th June. Waterford ran out comfortable winners in the end on a score of 4-13 to 2-08 after an excellent second half performance.

Early points from Waterford players Lorraine Bray and Nicola Morrissey cancelled out Amanda O'Regan's double score. Waterford had to contend with Cork pressure in the opening 10 minutes and Amada O'Regan shot on goal was deflected out for a 45 which she converted followed by a  Katelynn Hickey point from play.

Waterford responded with Trish Jackman's first score of the afternoon when she converted a free. Waterford then had a setback when a long range shot from Cork's Collette Desmond ended in the back of the net to lead 1-04 to 0-03 after 12 minutes. Both teams traded points from frees before Waterford began to claw their way back into the match. Another clinical finish from a Trish Jackman free was followed by a Waterford goal when Niamh Rockett was fouled on the 20 meter line and the reliable Trish Jackman stood up and fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net to level the match once more.

Cork scored another two points in the remainder of the half but Waterford were starting to dominate the midfield and players such as Charlotte Raher, Shona Curran and Sinead Cummins were working extremely hard and Waterford were rewarded when Sinead Cummins picked out Karen Kelly with a pass which she fired into the net after a great run.

The start of the second half saw Shona Curran win possession from the throw-in which Niamh Rockett gathered and passed into Karen Kelly to slot over for the first point of the half. Within the next 5 minutes we scored a further two goals to extend the lead. First up was a Nicola Morrissey goal when she tapped the ball into the net in a crowded goal area. Next up was a Lorraine Bray goal after Sinead Cummins made a run from midfield to release her.

This seemed to slow Cork and for the next 10 minutes they were forced to try and work the ball into goal scoring positions but the defence of Fiona Morrissey, Mairead Morrissey were able to smother potential threats. While restricting Cork chances, the Waterford team continued to extend their lead and points from Nicola Morrissey, Karen Kelly, Niamh Rocket and Trish Jackman meant that we compiled and impressive 4-13 in total. Cork scored a total of 1-01 in the second half showing the defensive ability of the team as a whole in restricting scoring opportunities. Some changes were made as the second half progressed and these personnel changes show the strength in depth that exists at the moment. Players such as Ruth Geoghegan, Zoe O'Donoghue and Valerie O'Brien were introduced and Iona Heffernan had her debutante Championship appearance.

After a winning start away to Meath last weekend coupled with this result means that Waterford have maximum points from the two games and look forward to their next match away to Kilkenny on Saturday July 5^th. This promises to be an exciting match as Kilkenny have also won both their opening matches and this result will go a long way to determining the final table positions.

Clinical Performance sees off Cork in opening match of U16B All Ireland Championship

In what can only be described as an all round team performance the Waterford U16 team had a relatively easy win over Cork on Sunday 29th June in Walsh Park on a score on 5-15 to 0-10. Encounters between these two teams had been very close affairs with only a couple of scores separating them. This Waterford team reached the All Ireland final last year and Cork narrowly beat them on that occasion so if the team performance can be maintained at the current level they would hopefully excel this year.

Although Waterford had a high score the defence are to be commended on ensuring that any Cork possession in the scoring zone was contained and indeed Cork relied most of their scores from placed balls.

Waterford started the quickest and in the first 5 minutes were four points up with Beth Carton starting her scoring and a point from Aisling Power also. Waterford's first goal came on seven minutes when Anne Corcoran was first to react to kick the ball into the Cork net. Beth Carton then went on a scoring spree when she scored three points from play and converted a 45. Waterford were 1-08 up before Cork scored their first point from a Nora O'Riordan 45 after 18 minutes. Anne Corcoran scored her second goal when a shot at the Cork goal was partially dealt with and she fired into the net. Cork managed 4 more points before halftime while Waterford scored a further 2-02. Anne Corcoran sealed her hat trick of goals and Beth Carton scored her first goal and she also scored a couple of points. 

Cork were first to score in the second half when another Nora O'Riordan score from a 45 but was quickly cancelled when Beth Carton scored her second goal. Further points from Courtney Healy, Megan Dunford and Kate McMahon saw Waterford finish with a score of 5-15 to Cork's 0-10. 

Waterford must now face Antrim on 6th July in Donaghmore in Ashbourne. We wish the team the best of luck in the coming matches.

The team were: Brianna O'Regan, Sinead O'Brien, Laura Murray, Aoife Shanahan, Courtney Healy (0-01), Saoirse Bonner, Megan Dunford (0-02), Siebal Harney, Kate McGrath, Beth Carton (2-10), Aishling Power (0-01), Niamh Murphy, Kate McMahon (0-01), Anne Corcoran (3-0), Clodagh Galvin, Sinead Cunningham, Roisin Uniacke, Collette Hogan, Taylor Healy, Rachael McDonald, Sharon Williams, Saoirse English, Catherine Murray, Roisin Oates, Sally Brown, Chloe Dempsey, Ellen Curran, Caoimhe Drohan

Poc Fada

The 2014 Poc Fada this year takes place at Tramore race course on Monday 30th June. Best of luck to all participants.

U18 Championships

The U18 championships commence this week so we should have updates next week as to results.