Waterford begins league campaign with a win over Wexford.

Waterford Intermediates edge out Wexford

In perfect conditions for football Waterford ladies got their Division 3 campaign in the Tesco Homegrown league off to a winning if somewhat unconvincing start with a narrow hard earned win over a resolute Wexford team in Fraher Field Dungarvan on Sunday last. From the start the Wexford ladies were leaving nobody in any doubt about their intentions to make life difficult for the home team and matched the Deise ladies all over the field in the opening encounters. In a first half where defences were on top, chances were at a premium and indeed it took 11 minutes for the first score to be registered with a wonderful well taken point by Michelle Ryan. The Ballymacarbry sharp shooter was on target again in the 17^th minute when she received a quick free by team captain Linda Wall and doubled the Déise lead. These two score were amazingly to be the only two scores of the first half leaving the half time score Waterford 0-2 Wexford 0-0.

Waterford started the second half more strongly and had stretched their lead to four points with a free from Maria Delahunty in the 2^nd minute and a point from Michelle Ryan in the 6^th minute following a very impressive build up. It took Wexford 44 minutes to get on the scoreboard when a speculative shot from full forward Maria Byrne deceived the Waterford goalkeeper Katie Hannon and ended up in the back of the next. One minute later Wexford were on level terms as Marcella Cullen got a wonderful point to leave it Waterford 0-4 Wexford 1-1.Waterford manager Pat Sullivan rang the changes at this stage and introduced Ciara Hurley and Aileen Wall. Both players got into their stride immediately and a foul on Aileen Wall resulted in Maria Delahunty pointing a free to leave the minimum between the teams. A brilliant run from Megan Dunford set up Michelle Ryan for a point to increase the lead before Maria Byrne cut the gap with a wonderful score with 8 minutes to go. Sub Mairead Wall made an impression on her introduction setting up Michelle Ryan for yet another point in the 53^rd minute. Aileen Wall got Waterford’s eight point with four minutes to go and Maria Delahunty seemed to have insured a Waterford win with a pointed free a minute later.Wexford were not finished yet and a well struck penalty by full forward Maria Byrne left only one point between the teams. The Model County pressed strongly for an equaliser but the Deise defence were resolute and disciplined and were mightily relieved when the full time whistle blew to leave Waterford narrow victors on the score line 0-9 Wexford 2-2

For Waterford it was a very nervy start to the campaign with a lot of basic handling errors and missed chances. Manager Pat Sullivan can be well pleased with the result but not with the overall standard of play. For the home team the backs were strong with Emma Murray, Caoimhe Mc Grath and Megan Dunford in particular standing out. Up front the forwards had a tough day against a strong Wexford defence, Michelle Ryan kicked some good points and Aileen Wall and newcomer Ciara Hurley made a difference when introduced.

Waterford lined out as follows: Katie Hannon, Megan Dunford, Karen Mc Grath, Emma Murray, Michelle Mc Grath, Elaine Power, Caoimhe Mc Grath, Mary Kate Morrissey, Hannah Landers, Linda Wall (capt) Margaret Revins, Maria Delahunty (0-2f) Shauna Dunphy, Sinéad Ryan and Michelle Ryan (0-6)

Subs used Ciara Hurley, Aileen Wall (0-1), Mairead Wall, Emer Scanlan and Aoife Dunne.

 

Waterford v Fermanagh

On Sunday next Waterford will have their second outing in the Tesco Homegrown league with a home match against Fermanagh. These two teams met in the Intermediate championship quarter final last season with Fermanagh coming out on top after a titanic struggle on the score line 3-10 to 1-11.This will be a tough encounter for the Waterford ladies as Fermanagh will be bringing an experienced team to Dungarvan for the clash and will be favourites to return home with all three points. Fermanagh are strong in all areas of the field with Kyla Mc Manus, Marcella Monahan and Tara Little starring in the back line. Caroline Little is one of the best midfielders in the country at the moment and Lynne Mc Fredricks and Sharon Little have an eye for goal upfront.

It promises to be a very entertaining game, manager Pat Sullivan will be hoping that the nervousness in the Wexford game will be gone and that the Deise girls will be up to the challenge. This will be Fermanagh’s first league game as their opening encounter against Tipperary had to be postponed. Waterford possess a nice blend of youth and experience and are well capable of producing football of the highest calibre which is what will be needed in order to beat the Fermanagh ladies. It will be close but home advantage could swing it for Waterford. Throw in, in Fraher Field on Sunday is at 2:00 with Kevin Phelan from Laois in charge of proceedings.

Clare Clarke R.I. P.

Waterford ladies football wishes to convey their deepest sympathy to the family and work colleagues at LGFA of Clare Clarke who died at the weekend. Clare is an inspiration to all involved in Ladies Football. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.