Fermanagh prove too strong for Waterford in Blanchardstown

Waterford Ladies bow out of Intermediate championship

Waterford ladies intermediate football team has bowed out of the TG4 All Ireland championship at the quarter final stage when they were defeated by a strong and resolute Fermanagh team on Saturday last. In a game played in excellent conditions played in St Peregrine’s GAA ground in Blanchardstown Dublin. Fermanagh were first on the scoreboard with a well taken point by Áine Mc Hugh after only 18 seconds but Waterford’s reply was quick with Aileen Wall scoring the equaliser after being  set up by  a good pass from Liz Devine in the 2^nd minute. Michelle Ryan put Waterford ahead in the 4^th minute and one minute later Hannah Landers stretched the lead to two with a well taken point on the run. Sharon Little scored two wonderful points for Fermanagh in the 9^th and 12^th minutes to level things up. In the 14^th minute there was a long stoppage as Fermanagh’s midfielder Caroline Little was injured.

This break in play seemed to unsettle the Déise girls and confusion in the ranks led to corner forward for Fermanagh Sharon Little getting through for a goal on the resumption of play to put the Ulster girls in the driving seat. Waterford to their credit got back into the game with a great point from Michelle Ryan in the 17^th minute followed by one from Liz Devine in the 25^th minute to leave the minimum between the teams. Michelle Ryan levelled matters in the 26^th minute and the Ballymacarbry sharpshooter put Waterford back in front with a point from a free on the stroke of half time.

Michelle Ryan opened the scoring in the second half with another point in the first minute but the Deise were rocked when half back for Fermanagh Michelle Monahan drifted upfield and set a rocket of a shot to the net to put the Ernesiders back in front. Lynne Mc Fredricks widened the gap with a well taken point before Waterford’s goalkeeper Aimee Jordan came up to convert a penalty to leave the score Waterford 1-9 Fermanagh 2-4 with 19 minutes to go for the next ten minutes it was an immense battle Aisling Moane and Lynne Mc Fredricks put Fermanagh back in front with two points before Liz Devine and Michelle Ryan cancelled these out with two well taken efforts for the Waterford ladies. Full forward Noelle Connolly levelled the game yet again in the 28^th minute for Fermanagh before Sharon Little put the Northern team in front with a point with 2 minutes to go. This was a lead that Fermanagh were destined not to lose and the game was up for Waterford when full forward Noelle Connolly struck for a goal in injury time and Caroline Little who came back on late in the game struck over a point to give Fermanagh victory on the final scoreline of Fermanagh 3-10 Waterford 1-11.

This was a major disappointment for a wonderful group of girls who had worked so hard all year in their efforts to win All Ireland glory. The six week lay off without competitive action was certainly a factor on Saturday. Fermanagh have had two competitive matches since their Ulster final defeat to Down. Many positives can be gleamed from the season with a number of young players gaining vital experience at this level. A Munster title has been annexed for the sixth year in a row and the girls ran Armagh very close in the League final but these are scant consolation for the amount of work the team and management put in during the season.

Waterford lined out as follows: Waterford lined out as follows: Aimee Jordan (1-0), Nora Dunphy, Gráinne Enright, Mary Foley, Gráinne Kenneally, Karen McGrath, Róisín Tobin, Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power, Linda Wall, Mairead Wall, Aileen Wall (0-1), Hannah Landers (0-1) Michelle Ryan (0-7), and Liz Devine (0-2).

Subs: Shona Curran for Róisín Tobin, Shauna Dunphy for Liz Devine, Caoimhe McGrath for Gráinne Enright, Gráinne Costello, Louise Ryan, Margaret Revins, Ciara Dunphy, Megan O Connor, Aisling Hahessy, Amy Whelan, and Aoife Landers.

 

County Final results

Four county finals were played in Lemybrien on Sunday at under 12 and under 15 levels with the following results.

Under 15 B final  Ballymacarbry 3-8 Gaultier 2-8

Under 12 E final Comeragh Rangers 0-8 St Pats 0-5

Under 15 C final  Abbeyside 3-12 Clashmore 4-8

Under 15 A final  Dungarvan 2-8 Stradbally 1-7

Well done to all involved, there was some excellent football played in atrocious conditions