Underage County titles for Cappoquin, Lismore and Saint Molleran's

Sunday 28th September saw three underage finals decided for the 2014 championship. The three finals were played at Kilrossanty GAA Club and some excellent camogie skills were on show over all three matches.

Impressive Cappoquin Minor team win County Minor 'A' title

The U18 ‘A’ final saw Cappoquin play Gailltir with a mid-day throw-in. Cappoquin had contested the 2013 'A' final where they were beaten by St. Anne’s after a replay and were the favourites considering a large contingent had been part of the 2014 Intermediate winning team the previous week. An impressive performance against a competitive Gailltir side saw them win the title by 6-15 to 1-07. 

It was not until after five minutes before Cappoquin scored their first point when Lauren McGregor fired over followed by a goal shortly after when Niamh Foley fired into the net. Points from Lorraine Bray, Aisling Power and Roisin Cahillane followed before Gailltir scored their first point of the afternoon when Ciara Jackman converted a free. Further Cappoquin points followed from Aisling Power before Gailltir scored their second point of the half when Ciara Jackman converted a 45. This finished Gailltir's scoring in the first half but Cappoquin continued to score and a Laura Murray point was followed by goals from Aisling Power and Niamh Moore to leave a 3-09 to 0-02 lead at halftime.

The start of the second half saw Gailltir start strongly, two Emer Walsh points and a Ciara Jackman goal were scored in the first 5 minutes of the restart and it could have been better except that another Ciara Jackman shot on goal was saved by Clodagh Glavin in the Cappoquin goal. Roisin Uniacke scored Cappoquin's first point of the second half after 8 minutes but Gailltir were gaining confidence and narrowed the gap again when Ciara Jackman converted two frees.

Unfortunately for Gailltir, that was as close as they got because Cappoquin went on a scoring spree and goals from Lorraine Bray and two from Aisling Power extended the lead. Try as Gailltir could, Cappoquin continued scoring and converted points from Aisling Power, Lorraine Bray and Jessica Glavin finished Cappoquin's scoring to finish the afternoon with a Cappoquin tally of 6-15 while Gailltir finished their scoring with an Amy O'Connell point to leave them on 1-07.

Cappoquin's captain Lorraine Bray accepted the ‘Johnny Flynn’ U18A cup from County secretary Morgan Conroy to great cheers.

The Cappoquin team were: Clodagh Glavin, Jade Morrissey, Sinead O Brien, Ellen Meaney, Laura Murray, Roisin Cahillane, Emily Power, Lorraine Bray- Captain, Elaine Looby, Roisin Uniacke, Jessica Glavin, Lauren McGregor, Niamh Foley, Niamh Moore, Aisling Power, Seana Barrett. The team mentors were JimJoe Landers, Maurice Cahillane and Tricia McCarthy

The Gailltir team were: Shannon Delahunty, Kadie Griffin, Aine O'Keeffe, Eilis Cullinane, Sinead Cunningham, Laura Flynn, Lucy Bradley, Jane O'Connell, Sara Judge, Ciara Jackman, Doireann Flynn, Emer Walsh, Emily Mahony, Amy O'Connell, Caprice Carroll, Arlene Kearns, Anne Corcoran and Emer Edwards, The Gailltir mentors were: Manager Emma Hannon, Mentors  Sinead Fitzpatrick, Catherine O'Keeffe and Richard Corcoran

 

Lismore beat Tramore/Butlerstown to win U16 'B' title.

The second final on  Sunday’s final saw Tramore/Butlerstown play Lismore. Lismore topped the group and were straight into the final while Tramore/Butlerstown needed a semi-final win over An Rinn to seal their place. Both of these teams met earlier in the group phase of the championship with Lismore triumphing on that occasion with a winning margin of four points. Tramore/Butlerstown were hoping to go one step further than last year when they were runners-up to Dungarvan but Lismore have shown that they are a formidable side during the group phase. 

Lismore started the strongest and points from Alice Russell and Orla Ni Mhiachain were scored in the first 5 minutes. Tramore/Butlertown replied with a point from Abby Dunphy to leave the minimum between the two teams. Lismore extended their lead with five unanswered points from Rebecca McGlone, Robyn Roche, Sharon Williams (2) and Alice Russell to be well in control of the match. As the first half drew to a close Tramore/Butlerstown thought they had scored a goal but the referee blew for a foul to curtail the celebration. Lismore finished the scoring of the first half when Sharon Williams converted a free to leave the score at Lismore 0-08 to Tramore/Butlerstown 0-01.

Tramore/Butlerstown got off to an excellent start in the second half when Saoirse O'Brien's shot ended in the net in the opening minutes. Lismore's Rebecca McGlone got a point from play and then Tramore/Butlerstown scored their second goal when their captain Kate McMahon was on the end of some excellent play to fire into the net to leave only two points between the teams. 

Unfortunately for Tramore/Butlerstown, this was the closest they got to Lismore and in the next minute Orla Ni Mhiachain popped up to fire in the net for Lismore's only goal. A Sharon William's free for Lismore extended the lead to six points and then Tramore/Butlerstown third goal was scored by Muireann Cuddihy. This ensured a tense finish and try as Tramore/Butlerstown might they could not penetrate the Lismore defense. The final score of the match was for Lismore when Sharon Williams scored a point from a free. When the whistle was blown, Lismore had won the match on 1-11 to 3-01.

The Lismore team were: Karen Kelleher, Kelly Ryan, Naomi Leahy, Mary O Brien, Emer Montayne, Rebecca Mc Glone, Shauna o Keeffe, Ellen Curran (C), Sarah Landers, Sharon Williams, Emma Power, Robyn Roche, Erin Mangan, Faye Curley, Emily Prendergast, Alice Russell, Lucy McCarthy, Kayleigh Conway, Rebecca Fennessy, Abbie Roche, Sophie Landers, Jane Russell, Orla Ni Mhiachain, Ellen McClosky and Niamh Aldridge. The Lismore management team were: Trainer/Selector; Kate Heneghan and First Aid; Mary Russell

The Tramore/Butlerstown team were : Masha Ní Mhuimhneachaín, Muireann Cuddihy, Shannon Acheson, Kate Shanahan, Keavy Gillane, Aoife Shanahan, Sadie-mai Rowe, Kate McMahon, Leah Barry, Saoirse O'Brien, Sally Brown, Denise O'Connor, Clara Griffin, Abby Dunphy, Sally Kelly, Caithlin O'Byrne, Aisling Enright, Karen Carbery, Harriet Mc Allister, Sarah Long, Saoirse English, Emma Barry, Chloe Kinsella, Muireann Burns and Anna Finnegan.

U16 ‘C’ Final sees  St. Mollerans win title

It is encouraging to see clubs that are only in existence a short while contest finals. Both of these clubs are relatively recently formed and the work that the mentors and players are putting in is starting to pay off. This is the first county final that Modeligo have contested while St. Mollerans could draw on the experience of winning the U14 ‘C’ last year.

When the two teams met in the group phase it was Modeligo that won and ultimately top the group. St. Molleran’s needed a semi-final win over Tallow to secure their spot in the final.​

The early part of the match saw both teams score a point apiece, Jessica Burke for Modeligo and Aoife Fleming for St. Molleran's. St. Molleran's then scored three unanswered scores, a goal from Angela McGuigan and points from Sophie Kiely and an Aoife Fleming free. Modeligo kept pressing and were unlucky not to score a goal except for some fine goalkeeping from Emma Norris in the St. Molleran's. goal.

It didn't take long for Modeligo to take the lead when three unanswered goals gave them a four point cushion at halftime. All goals coming from Modeligo's Mairead O'Brien. 

The start of the second half saw St. Molleran's fly out and regained the lead within 8 minutes when they scored a total of 3-04 for no reply. Goals from Aoife Flemming (2) and Katie Norriss were complemented with points from Ciara Doherty and Aoife Flemming. Modeligo managed to score three more points before the end of the match but St. Molleran's held on to win 4-08 to 3-04. 

The St. Molleran's team were: Emma Norris, Claire Power, Aisling Wells, Emer Walsh, Emily Keane, Heather Hayes, Aisling Grehan, Clodagh Reade, Rachael Ryan, Sophie Ryan-Capt., Aoife Fleming, Angela McGuigan, Sophie Kiely, Ciara Doherty, Katie Norris, Molly Dunne and Elaine O’Connell. The management team were: Manager:Richie Ryan, Coach:Sean Fleming, Admin:Margaret Kenny

The Modeligo team were: Shauna Power, Hannah Burke-capt, Muireann Walsh, Tara Hickey, Angela Walsh, Annmarie O'Brien, Emily O'Mahony, Mary Kate Curran, Ellen McGrath, Aoibhe Kearns, Nicole O'Byrne, Jessica Burke, Mairead O'Brien, Niamh Reddy, Sarah McCarthy, Isabelle Sheehan, Aoife O'Byrne, Catherine O'Brien and Aoife O'Donovan​. The management team were: JP Ryan and Johnny McGrath

The Waterford County Camogie Association would like to thank Kilrossanty GAA for use of their facilities for these finals.

110 Years Camogie Association Celebration

2014 sees the Camogie Association in existence for 110 years and next Sunday Fraher field will host an U13 blitz from 11am. The blitz is scheduled to be played for 110 minutes and we hope that clubs will make every effort to attend this important milestone for the Camogie Association.

County Minor Camogie Final previews

A triple header of Camogie Finals is being served up at Kilrossanty GAA grounds on Sunday next (28th September) when finals for U18 ‘A’, U16 ‘B’ and U16 ‘C’ are played. It is hoped that a large contingent of camogie followers in Waterford will attend and support the players.

U18 ‘A’ Final between Cappoquin and Gailltir (12:00 throw-in)

First up is the U18 ‘A’ final where Cappoquin play Gailltir with a mid-day throw-in. This year’s U18 championship was split into two groups with each of Sunday’s finalist coming from different groups.

Group 1 saw Cappoquin play Brickey Rangers, Clonea, Ferrybank, Roanmore and St. Anne’s and saw them top the group. Finishing top of the group gave Cappoquin home advantage against the second placed team in Group 2 which was De la Salle. Cappoquin won the match easily to progress to the final.

Group 2 saw Gailltir play De la Salle, Lismore, Tramore and An Rinn and it was Gailltir that finished top in this group as well. The semi-final saw Gailltir face Brickey Rangers and it took a replay to separate the two teams but ultimately Gailltir won through to this Sunday’s final.

On paper Cappoquin must be favourites as eleven of the Cappoquin players named on their Intermediate winning team from last week are available to play in this weeks final and most of these players contested the 2013 U18 ‘A’ final when they were beaten by St. Anne’s after a replay. Gailltir should not be written off easily as this team has many players on County development squads and will surely compete for the full sixty minutes.

Whatever happens on Sunday, the winners of the ‘Johnny Flynn’ U18A cup will be deserving winners.

 

U16 ‘B’ Final between Lismore and Tramore (1:30 throw-in)

The U16 ‘B’ championship group phase was contested between Tramore, Lismore, An Rinn, Clonea and Ferrybank. This Sunday’s final sees Tramore play Lismore. Lismore topped the group and were straight into the final while Tramore needed a semi-final win over An Rinn to seal their place. Both of these teams met earlier in the group phase of the championship with Lismore triumphing on that occasion with a winning margin of four points. Tramore will be hoping to go one step further than last year when they were runners-up to Dungarvan but Lismore have shown that they are a formidable side during the group phase. This will surely be a closely contested match and hard to call.

 

U16 ‘C’ Final between Modeligo and St. Molleran’s (3:00 throw-in)

It is encouraging to see clubs that are only in existence a short while contest finals. Both of these clubs are relatively recently formed and the work that the mentors and players are putting in is starting to pay off. This is the first county final that Modeligo have contested while St. Molleran’s can draw on the experience of winning the U14 ‘C’ last year.

This years U16 ‘C’ championship saw Modeligo, St. Molleran’s, Roanmore, Tallow and Abbeyside play each other in the group phase. When the two teams met in the group phase it was Modeligo that won and ultimately top the group. St. Molleran’s needed a semi-final win over Tallow to secure their spot in the final.​

 

 

Best wishes to all players, mentors and supporters on the day.

3 All-Ireland's in a row for Waterford Under 14's.

Hat trick of All Ireland titles completed this weekend for Waterford Camogie
Congratulations to Waterford U14 camogie panel that won the All Ireland blitz in Dublin over the weekend. Camogie in Waterford is looking bright at the moment with Waterford winning All Ireland titles at Minor and U16 before this weekend and finish the hat trick of titles when the U14s won in Dublin.

The first match of the day was against Dublin 'B' which Waterford won on a score of 2-06 to 0-01. Next match was against Down which Waterford won 2-09 to 1-02.  Waterford then beat Clare 'B' by 1-04 to 0-01 before completing the group games against Limerick 'B' by the same score and topping the group. Waterford faced Derry in the semi-final winning on a margin of 3-04 to 2-01 before playing the final against Dublin and went on to win the final on a score of 2-09 to 0-03. Well done to all the players and mentors involved on an excellent performance and keep up the good work.

The Waterford panel were: Abbie Flynn (De La Salle), Lucy Hogan (De La Salle), Katie O’Keeffe (De La Salle), Aisling Madigan (De La Salle),Mary Kiely (Brickey Rangers), Caira Kilcawley (Brickey Rangers), Aoife Hahessy (Clonea), Keeley Corbett Barry (Clonea), Aisling Baumann (Dungarvan), Alix Fitzgerald (Dungarvan), Kaiesha Tobin (Dungarvan), Clodagh Carroll (Gaultier), Aoife Fitzgerald (Gaultier), Annie Fitzgerald (Gaultier), Shauna Fitzgerald (Gaultier) Captain, , Emma Flynn (Gaultier), Kate Lynch (Gaultier), Ciara O'Sullivan (Gaultier), Leah Sheridan (Gaultier), Mary Kate Curran (Modeligo), Mary O’Brien (Lismore), Aoife Fleming (St Molleran’s), Emma Norris (St Molleran’s), Leah Barry (Tramore), Muireann Cuddihy  (Tramore), Ciara Griffin (Tramore), Sally Kelly (Tramore).

Mentors : Orla Fitzgerald (Manager), Gail Fitzgerald and Sean Fleming

 

Minor B semi-finals

Lismore were facing St. Anne's in one semi-final which was played on Sunday 14th September in Lismore.  This match saw Lismore progress to the final on a score of 3-06 to 0-06. The first half saw Lismore play with the breeze and went in leading 1-03 to no score. The goal coming from Sharon Williams just before halftime but St. Anne's made opportunities during the half to narrow the gap but failed to capitalise.

The start of the second half saw St. Anne's start brightly and points from Rachael McDonald and Clare Murphy early on saw a bit of a resurgence for them.

Lismore halted St. Anne's progressed when Alice Russell slotted in their second goal which was followed quickly by their third in a goalmouth scramble. A further point from Johanna Houlihan extended the Lismore lead and a some excellent saves by Sarah Nugent-Shanahan in the Lismore goal prevented goals to protect the Lismore lead.   

St. Anne's kept probing the Lismore defence and two more Clare Murphy points kept them in contention but time ran out on them and the final score of the afternoon came from Lismore's Johanna Houlihan from a free.
The other semi-final saw Ferrybank progress past Tramore. Ferrybank were last year's Minor 'B' champions and will be hoping to emulate that win when they meet Lismore later this month.

U16 B and C Finalists decided
The semi-final of the U16B between An Rinn and Tramore was played on Tuesday 9th September and in a Tramore were victorious. Tramore now will now face Lismore in the final. The date and venue has not been set yet.

The U16C semi-final saw St. Molleran’s face Tallow also on Tuesday 9th and St. Molleran’s won that encounter to proceed and meet Modeligo in the final.

Upcoming fixtures for Minor 'A' Semi-finals

Cappoquin v De la Salle on Monday 15th

After being narrowly beaten by St. Anne's in the 2013 Minor A final, Cappoquin will be hoping to challenge once more for the County honours but this match will be a difficult match to call. Both teams have players on the Minor and U16 County teams that have won All Ireland titles this year. De la Salle are stepping up from the Minor B from last year but their players have coped so far but this will be a big test for them.

Brickey Rangers versus Gailltir on Tuesday 16th Sept.
Gailltir finished top of their section and meet Brickey Rangers in the other A semi-final. These clubs have seen some competitive matches over the season and both teams are capable of winning the match.

 

Will it be Lismore or St. Anne’s in this year’s Senior Camogie Championship final?-A preview of 2014 Senior Championship final

When you ask a question like that you have to understand the recent history of these two teams facing each other in Senior County finals.

Lismore and St. Anne’s head into next weekends 2014 Senior Camogie Championship final knowing that each club have now faced each other in the last six Senior Championship and League finals showing the strength each club has in developing and fostering camogie players in Waterford.

Of the previous five encounters in County finals over recent times, it is the West Waterford side that holds a narrow win ratio over the St. Anne’s club with three wins to St. Anne’s two. The most recent final that these two rivals played against each other was the 2014 League final that saw the St. Anne’s side win when played back in May.

St. Anne’s last won the Senior Camogie Championship in 2012 winning by a margin of six points of 1-12 to 0-09 against Lismore while in 2013 Lismore won the title by 2-15 to St. Anne’s 0-15. In 2013, Lismore went on to win the Munster Intermediate Club title against Newmarket-on-Fergus after a replay and then in March this year went on to win the All Ireland Intermediate Club title against Ballyhale Shamrocks (also after a replay). 

It was goals from Shona Curran and Sinead Bennett that ultimately decided the 2014 Championship final played at Kilrossanty but it was the St. Anne’s side that were in the lead 0-11 to 1-06 at the halfway break and will surely be hoping to regain the title from this experienced Lismore team.

Both of these clubs have a plethora of current Waterford Intermediate players facing off against each other on Sunday next. Lismore have players such as Shauna Prendergast, Shauna Kiernan, Shona Curran, Nicola Morrissey, Caitriona McGlone and Ruth Geoghegan from this year’s Intermediate panel while St. Anne’s have players such as Becky Kavanagh, Pauline Cunningham, Clair Whyte, Mairead Murphy, Charlotte Raher, Karen Kelly, Zoe O’Donoghue, Niamh Rockett , Jennie Simpson and Sinead Cummins. Each club also has players that won an All Ireland Minor title with Waterford this year to draw from. Lismore have Sarah Geoghegan, Johanna Houlihan and Sarah Coughlan from that team while St. Anne’s have Laoibhse Dunbar, Bronwyn Grace Sibeal Harney and Catherine Kelly to draw upon if needed.

The most recent meeting of the two teams occurred in group phase of the Championship with Lismore proving too strong for St. Anne’s. Lismore finished top of the table and straight into the final while St. Anne’s needed a win in the semi-final against Gailltir to secure their place in the final.

Whatever happens next  it will surely be a competitive match that camogie supporters in Waterford are urged to attend. The match is on in Fraher field at 2pm next Sunday.

The Senior final is preceded by the Intermediate final which is being played between An Rinn and Cappoquin at 12:30

 

Ballymacarbry win ladies title.

In glorious sunshine in a well appointed Fraher Field Dungarvan on Saturday last, Ballymacarbry won the Waterford Ladies Senior County final in a thrilling encounter with near neighbours Comeragh Rangers. Playing for the Edith Kennedy Cup the large crowd were treated to a great game with fortunes ebbing and flowing throughout the game. The colour and the atmosphere on the day was wonderful. Both teams were paraded around the field by piper Jim Lane and after a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann all was in readiness for the throw in.

Comeragh were forced to make late changes to their starting fifteen when Geraldine Power and Ruth Kirwan were replaced before the throw in by Katie Murray and Maria Power respectively. Ballymac got possession from the throw in and Aileen Wall was wide with her effort in the first minute and Marian Ryan forced a good save from Comeragh goalie and captain Marian Hogan immediately afterwards. In the next four minutes Comeragh attacked incessantly and were guilty of two goal chances wasted before Michelle Ryan put a point on the board in the 7^th minute to open the scoring for Ballymac. Aoife Dunne levelled things in the 12^th minute and was on hand to put the Comeragh girls ahead two minutes later.

The next four minutes of the game were unreal to say the least as on three separate occasions Comeragh had gilt edged chances to score a goal; the first two were driven wide in one on one situations with goalie Sinéad Grant, while Eibhlín Power cracked a rocket of a shot off the post with the keeper beaten. On 17 minutes Aileen Wall levelled matters with a good point and she was on target again to put the girls from the Nire valley a point ahead on 20 minutes. Aoife Dunne got her and Comeragh’s third point in the 21^st minute and Eibhlín Power was on hand to kick a good point from a quick free to put Comeragh back in front. Marian Ryan steadied the Ballymac ship with a pointed free in the 24^th minute and captain Linda Wall put them back in front on 25 minutes with a good point. The sizable Rathgormack contingent erupted when Katie Murray finished a great pass from her sister Aoife to register the game’s first goal and Katie Murray was instrumental in setting up Kate Hahessy and Aoife Murray for two points to leave four between the teams. Marian Ryan pointed her second free just on the stroke of half time to leave the score line Comeragh Rangers 1-6 Ballymacarbry 0-6 when Kevin Martin blew the half time whistle and give everybody a chance to draw their breaths after a wonderful first half of football.

There was a great buzz around the ground at half time with the patrons wondering would Comeragh be able to keep up the relentless pace that they had produced in the first half or would the guile and experience of the Ballymacarbry girls come to the fore. It didn’t take long for Ballymac to gave their answer with a great goal from Lauren Guiry to level matters after only two minutes and for Marian Ryan to put the champions back in front with a free on 34 minutes. Shauna Dunphy turned the game on its head in the 35^th minute with a goal to put the challengers back in front. Then the Ballymac backroom team made two master substitutions by introducing two new players to the team and they were to have a profound effect on matters for the rest of the game. Sub Shauna Ryan kicked two wonderful points and not to be outdone the other sub Sínéad Ryan kicked a point to put Ballymac back in front 1-10 to 2-6

Marian Ryan and Lauren Guiry stretched the lead before Sínéad Ryan ended the game as a contest with a well taken goal with 10 minutes to go. Sínéad Ryan got another point as did Marian Ryan to bring Ballymacarbry’s tally to 2-14 but the Comeragh  Rangers girls refused to die and Aoife Murray kicked a consolation point in the 54^th minute. Comeragh’s day was best summed up in the dying minutes when a shot from Shauna Dunphy once again rebounded back off the post before the Ballydurn girl closed the scoring to leave Ballymacarbry champions for a 33^rd consecutive year on the final score Ballymacarbry 2-14, Comeragh Rangers 2-8.

The cup was presented to Ballymac captain Linda Wall who was winning her 17^th county senior medal. Comeragh Rangers will rue the chances missed when dominating in the first half but management team of Joe Murray Stephen Fitzgerald and Kevin Power can be well proud of their charges in an extraordinary game. Ballymac now move on to the Munster club championship with the hopes of Waterford with them all the way. Team management of Mike Guiry, Catherine Ryan and Ger McGrath will be pleased with the result and especially with the way the team dug deep in the second half when they showed their experience and footballing know how to win the game.

Ballymacarbry captain was named player of the match but indeed there were brilliant performances all over the field all day Aoife Dunne, Katie and Aoife Murray, Eibhlin Power, the four Dunphy’s all stood out as did goalie Marian Hogan. For Ballymac the three Wall’s, Michelle and Karen McGrath especially when Michelle moved out field, subs Treasa McGrath, Shauna Ryan and Sinead Ryan all impressed. A great days sport and a great advertisement for Waterford Ladies Football, well done to all concerned.

Ballymacarbry & Comeragh Rangers clash in County Final

County Senior Final Preview Ballmacarbry v Comeragh Rangers

 

The blue riband of ladies club football will be fought for and decided in Fraher Field on Saturday next when perennial champions Ballymacarbry take on their near neighbours from the other side of the Comeragh mountains , Comeragh Rangers in what promises to be an intriguing final. This is a repeat of last year’s final in which Ballymacarbry were forced to dig deep in the last twenty minutes when they had to call on every ounce of their experience and football skills to eke out a narrow victory. Comeragh Rangers started that game very brightly and quickly raced into a four points to no score lead, before Danielle Hallahan gave the girls from the Nire Valley a life line with a well taken goal. This goal was ultimately to prove to be a vital one as it ensured that the half time deficit was only two points in favour of the Comeragh girls.Ballymacarbry gradually took over in the second half but were unable to put a determined Comeragh Rangers team away until very late on and it took two wonderful points from Michelle Ryan to ensure that the cup was going back to Ballymacarbry on a score line of Ballymacarbry 1-11 Comeragh Rangers 0-8

Both teams have prepared well for final day with management on both sides fine tuning their preparations in the last few weeks with a number of challenge matches. The teams have met once already in the championship when Comeragh recorded a good victory over the Ballymac girls in the round robin series of games on the score line Comeragh Rangers 3-9 Ballymacarbry 1-12.

Both teams approach this final with confidence and have very contrasting histories. Ballymacarbry were founded in July 1970 possibly one of the first clubs in the country with Winnie Hallinan being their first chairperson. Their first ever match was against Clonmel County Council staff and at the end July of the same year they beat near neighbours Newcastle in a match which attracted over 500 spectators. Comeragh Rangers in contrast are a much newer club being set up in 1999 and has gone from strength to strength in recent years with over a hundred registered playing members at present and being the only club in the county fielding adult teams at both junior and senior level.

Ballymacarbry’s roll of honour at senior level is very impressive by any standards, this year they are looking to win their 33^rd  county senior championship in a row, the club also leads the list with a total of 10 All Ireland club titles won back in the golden days of Waterford football from 1987-1998.Comeragh’s first adult county title was in 2005 when they beat Ballyduff in the junior grade with Marie Hogan scoring 4-1 in the final and the following year they followed on this success with a win over Brickey Rangers in the Intermediate final which gave the club senior status for the first time.

The two clubs have invested well in a youth policy in the last number of years and as a result have a conveyor belt of young good players who have been expertly coached and the fruits of this are very evident in both squads for the final. Both squads are filled with players with county experience at both adult and under age levels. Ballymac have seven girls who were on the Waterford senior panel this year while Comeragh had four while they also had ten members of this year’s minor panel to Ballymac’s one.

There will be a number of interesting match ups all over the field but both camps are playing their cards close to their chests with their line ups. Comeragh Rangers will depend on the Dunphys, Nora and Anne to lead the way but the will be ably assisted by the likes of Geraldine Power, Áine Power, Kate Hahessey, Mairéad Power,Clodagh Keane, Shauna and Ciara Dunphy, Aoife Dunne and the Murray triplets Katie, Emma and Aoife

Ballymac look to have many aces up their sleeve with the Wall,Ryan and Mc Grath sisters sure to play a major role in this final, these seven players Linda ,Mairead and Aileen Wall,Michelle and Louise Ryan and Karen Mc Grath have a serious amount of inter county experience and  will be very prominent in the middle third of the field and will hope to build a platform for victory which sharp shooting forwards like Lauren Guiry will hope to exploit.Ballymac will also be buoyed by the fact that Laurissa Hogan has made a welcome return to football this season

While these clubs have only met three times in senior finals their paths have crossed many times at under age level with honours being shared pretty evenly. Comeragh’s first county final was in 1999 when they contested the first ever under 12 final where they were narrowly beaten by Ballymac. When Comeragh Rangers won their first ever Minor final in 2008 who did they beat in the final? Ballymac of course.The clubs have had multiple successes at different levels this year Ballymac have annexed under 14, 15 and 16 titles. Comeragh have a Junior B title already in the bag but it would be the icing on the cake for either team to win the senior championship.

This game is very hard to call as there are many possible scenarios that will only pan out on the day, will the experience of the Ballymac girls be too much for the Comeragh girls or will the lessons learned by Comeragh Rangers in last year’s final be well learned and put to good use. Saturday will tell and the only place to see it unfold is in Fraher Field at 3:00.

County Manager vacancies

The Waterford Ladies County Board wishes to appoint managers for the 2015 season for the following teams Under 14, under 16 Minor and Intermediate.Completed application forms are to be forwarded to county secretary Edel Curry Glenpatrick, Kilsheelan Clonmel Co Waterford no later than Saturday 20^th September

Heartbreak for Gailltir at Walsh Park

GaillTir Camogie

Senior Semi Final

Our seniors bowed out of the 2014 championship at the weekend to a much more experienced St. Anne’s side.  Many within camogie circles in Waterford would not have given Gailltír much of a chance after they suffered a heavy defeat against the same opposition earlier in the championship.

Two early goals for St. Anne’s and playing against a strong wind it didn’t look good. A young Gailltír side settled to what seemed like a mountain to climb and with the Dunhill side wasting some chances to tack on a few more points there was at half time a glimmer of hope. The second half saw

A massive effort from the Barony girls to claw back the score line, they battled for every ball and were unlucky not to find the net, down to the last minute they never gave up a true character of all who put on the Gailltír jersey. Final score 2-08 to 0-11 the Dream of a senior county title over for 2014 but Belief that someday soon these girls will achieve this, don’t forget Dream Believe Achieve.

 

Juvenile

It was a very busy weekend for all the younger members of the club on Saturday morning our under 6 team played a friendly against Glenmore, while our under 10 team had the honour of forming a guard of honour and playing at half time during the senior all Ireland semi final between Cork and Wexford, also on Saturday Gail and Orla led some of our under 14 girls to glory with the Waterford under 14 team in Tipperary. Our under 12 team also formed a guard of honour and played at half time during the senior county semi final in Walsh park.

This week’s action see’s our under 16 team back in action when they play Dungarvan on Tuesday night in Gaultier while on Saturday next we are holding our Club fun day where all club members and friends are welcome to come along and enjoy a day of fun and games watch out for more info on this on Facebook.   

Roanmore are County Champions

Roanmore crowned 2014 Junior Camogie Champions

The first adult championship up for decision this year was played on Saturday last against Roanmore and Ferrybank. Both of these clubs have only entered the Junior championship relatively recently so it was encouraging to see these teams compete for the County title. The two teams knew each other fairly well over recent times as they had faced each other in the league earlier in the year and group phases of the championship. Both teams had played a final against each other when they lined out for the league final and on that occasion Ferrybank were winners having to come from behind and getting their winning scores in injury time.

This match proved to just as tight with both sides leading going into the last few minutes but it was the Roanmore that were triumphant on this occasion winning the encounter by 5-11 to 5-09. When you see a match that has 30 scores and only two points separating both teams at the end then you know that it was a fairly evenly matched contest.

Ferrybank started the stronger leading by 1-03 to no score after 10 minutes but then Roanmore scored two quick goals to level the match. Roanmore took the lead only for Ferrybank to regain it and the sides went in at halftime at Ferrybank 3-03 to Roanmore's 2-05. 

At the start of the second half both teams traded points, Roanmore regained the lead when with their third goal only for Ferrybank to reply with a goal of their own. Midway through the second half Roanmore put a string of four unanswered points on the score sheet to lead by four points. Ferrybank continued to exert pressure on the Roanmore defence and were rewarded with four unanswered points to leave the match level heading into the last five minutes. A third goal by Roanmore's Roisin Heylin put daylight between the teams, Ferrybank replied with a point and then scored their fifth goal to great relief to their supporters. There was one last chance for Roanmore and they worked the ball down the field and Jodie Keane applied the finishing touch to send the ball into the Ferrybank net and win the match. 

Both teams are to be congratulated for being part of such an exhilarating camogie match. The Junior cup was presented by Waterford Camogie Association County Secretary Morgan Conroy to Roanmore's captain Valerie O'Brien.

St. Anne's to face Lismore in County Senior Final

On Sunday afternoon in Walsh park St. Anne's faced Gailltir in this year's Senior Championship semi-final and will now face current County and All Ireland Intermediate Club champions Lismore in the final.

Early goals in the Gailltir match proved to be the deciding factor in the semi-final. St, Anne's were 2 goals ahead after 5 minutes. Points from Zoe O'Donoghue, Jennie Simpson and Niamh Rockett saw St. Anne's score a total of 2-05 in the first half while Gailltir had to rely on the hurley of Trish Jackman who converted five frees to keep then in contention.

The start of the second half saw Gailltir begin to eat into the St. Anne's lead and points from Sara Judge and Emma Hannon reduced the deficit. A Karen Kelly free was St. Anne's reply and then Gailltir closed the gap further when Annie Glavey scored followed by two Trish Jackman scores from frees. With only two points separating the two teams as the final five minutes of the match commenced Karen Kelly fired over another free. As the clock ticked down Gailltir were awarded a free on the twenty meter line at an acute angle which the referee moved to a more advantageous spot due to St. Anne's indiscipline which meant that Trish Jackman had a more direct shot on goal. The powerful shot on goal was blocked and cleared down the field for Karen Kelly to slot over. Gailltir could only manage a further Emma Hannon point before the referee blew for full time to end the match on a score of 2-08 to 0-11 in St. Anne's favour.

Intermediate Semi-final

The Intermediate semi-final was played on Sunday between Cappoquin and Portlaw at Bushy Park. The result of the match saw Cappoquin progress to the final and will face An Rinn.

 

Waterford U14 Panel Win Tipperary Blitz

Waterford U14s travelled with a depleted squad to the annual Tipperary Orla McDonagh Blitz in The Ragg last Saturday. With the All Ireland Blitz upcoming on the 13th September, starting places were up for grabs and the girls that travelled were determined to put their claim forward.

In the Group Stages, Waterford beat Limerick B well and inched past Cork B by three points. This meant topping their group and advancing to a Semi-Final against Meath A who had finished second in their group. In what proved to be a tight and tense encounter, Waterford won by 3 points and advanced to meet Kilkenny B in the final, who had similarly won their group.

In what was certainly a game of two halves, Kilkenny hit 2 goals and a point in an early 5 minute blitz at the start of the first half taking full advantage of the strong wind. Waterford slowly settled and the defence began to get the measure of their opponents, holding them scoreless from there to the break. Orla Fitzgerald and her Mentors made a number of positional switches at half time and then aided with the wind, Waterford totally dominated the second half, scoring 4 goals and 5 points without reply and were convincing winners at the end.

Well done to all the Players on the great performances and commitment shown. The team showed great heart and determination throughout all the games played and they got their just reward for the efforts.​