Waterford and Fermanagh to Clash in All-Ireland Quarter Final

County Intermediates return to Championship action

Waterford Intermediate ladies team return to championship action on Saturday next when they take to the field against Fermanagh in St Peregrine’s GAA grounds Blanchardstown Dublin. This is a quarter final clash and for the losers it is the end of the road in this year’s championship. Waterford have reached this stage by virtue of their unbeaten Munster campaign in which they saw off the challenges of Limerick and Tipperary, defeating Limerick in the Munster final on a score line of 2-20 to 1-11.This was a day when everything clicked for the Déise girls especially in the first 20 minutes when the girls had 15 attacks on the Limerick goal which resulted in 15 points.

Saturday’s game against Fermanagh will be a much different affair and the players are under no illusion of the difficulty of the task ahead. Fermanagh put it up to red hot favourites Down in the Ulster final before finally going down on a score line of Down 0-15 Fermanagh 1-6 and since then in the qualifying rounds they had a comprehensive win over Ulster rivals Antrim by 4-18 to 1-4.They are ably led by captain Marita Mc Donald and have a strong defence well marshalled by Kyla Mc Donald. Up front Caroline and Sharon Little are certainly forwards who will need close watching.

Waterford have prepared well for the game in training and challenge matches but the fact that the girls have had a six week competitive lay off is a nagging worry for management. The team has had a very settled look about it all year and have gelled well together. The backs form a very cohesive unit and provide a platform for the midfield and forwards to attack and score. Seven different players scored in the semi final and manager Pat O Brien would be delighted with the same return on Saturday.

Games between Fermanagh and Waterford have been very close in the last number of years with Waterford coming out on top in 2012 by two points and Fermanagh turning the tables in 2013.As regards league form this can be thrown out the window. Waterford had a very successful Division 3 campaign reaching the final after being relegated from Division 2 in 2013.This season it was Fermanagh’s turn to struggle in Division 2 with relegation being their lot.

It is very difficult to call this game Fermanagh will be still smarting from their All Ireland semi final last year when they threw away a six point leads with less than two minutes to go to lose by  a point to Tipperary. Waterford are looking to get another tilt at All Ireland glory and have the players all over the field to advance their ambitions one step further this week end. Waterford to win but it will be a tough and exciting contest.