Waterford easily overcome Fermanagh in National League tie

Waterford Intermediate lady footballers recorded their second victory in the Tesco Home-grown Division 3 clash with Fermanagh on Sunday last in Fraher Field.  Fermanagh travelled to Dungarvan as favourites on the back of their victory over the Deise girls in last year’s All Ireland Quarter final but they were met by a resolute Waterford team eager to even the score. Waterford’s manager Pat Sullivan made two changes from the fifteen that started last week with Mairead Wall coming into the middle of the field and Grainne Kenneally starting at centre half forward.

Playing in ideal conditions for football both teams started brightly with Sharon Little opening the scoring for the Lakesiders in the 5^th minute. Waterford quickly hit back, good work from Karen McGrath resulted in a free which was slotted over by Maria Delahunty. Maria was on target with another free in the 9^th minute to give the Deise girls a lead that they would not surrender. In the 15^th minute captain Linda Wall got a point following a great move involving Megan Dunford and Hannah Landers. Centre back Elaine Power broke up a Fermanagh attack and set off on a 40m.run and planted the ball in the roof of the Fermanagh net giving the Fermanagh goalie Róisín Gleeson no chance to leave Waterford ahead 1-4 to a point after 16 minutes. Gráinne Kenneally got in on the scoring act with a good point two minutes late. The game turned on its head in the next 10- minutes Caroline Little saw her well struck penalty rebound off the post to the relief of the Waterford girls and while Joanne Doonan got Fermanagh’s second point in the 27^th minute, it was Waterford who hit a purple patch and finished the half in blistering style. A goal from Maria Delahunty who was following in on a shot from Sinead Ryan which hit the post, another superb individual goal one minute later from Michelle Ryan and two points from Hannah Landers in additional time left Waterford firmly in the driving seat at half time on the score line Waterford 3-6 Fermanagh 0-2

Waterford opened the second half in no mood to squander their lead, Gráinne Kenneally pointed in the first minute and was quickly followed up by a point from Michelle Ryan after Michelle McGrath turned defence into attack with a great run upfield. In the 35^th minute Aoife Murray was introduced for Michelle Ryan and had an immediate effect on proceedings with her first touch of the ball setting up Sinead Ryan for a well taken goal. Aileen Wall replaced her sister Linda and Mary Foley made a welcome return to competitive action replacing Emma Murray as Pat Sullivan rang the changes. All the changes made no difference to the style of Waterford’s play and Sinead Ryan pointed a free to extend the lead. Mairead Power replaced Caoimhe McGrath in the back line before Aoife Murray got a great point when her goal bound rasper was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Fermanagh keeper Roisin Gleeson. Ciara Hurley replaced Mairead Wall at field and was on hand to set up Aileen Wall for a well taken score. Still more changes appeared from the Waterford bench as Nora Dunphy and Lauren Mc Gregor made appearances replacing Karen McGrath and Mary Kate Morrissey. Aileen Wall had yet another point in the 50^th minute and Noelle Connolly replied for Fermanagh but it was mere consolation at this stage. Emer Scanlon and Margaret Revins joined the fray replacing Michelle McGrath and Maria Delahunty and Margaret Revins was immediately in the action drawing a great save from the over worked Fermanagh goalie. Shauna Dunphy and Aoife Dunne completed the Waterford subs replacing Hannah Landers and Sinead Ryan and the biggest cheer of the day was for Margaret Revins in the last minute as she got Waterford’s fifth goal, to leave the Deise comprehensive victors on the score line Waterford 5-12 Fermanagh 0-3.

This was as comprehensive a victory as it could be and Pat Sullivan was well pleased with the overall performance and the positivity shown by his team. The team worked well as a unit and the build up and support play was excellent to watch throughout the game. Fermanagh did not play well and were at a major disadvantage that their game last weekend had been postponed but there is no taking away from a very good Waterford performance. The blend of youth and experience is starting to gel well together and are producing an exciting brand of football. The manager is aware of the task ahead of the team and the amount of hard work required to gain success. This game was a major step up in performance from the encounter against Wexford and the manager is under no illusions of the further step needed to account for the form team at the moment Sligo, who like Waterford are unbeaten in the league. The girls next match will be against Sligo in Fraher Field in two weeks time Sunday 22^nd February.

 Waterford Lined out as follows: Katie Hannon, Megan Dunford, Karen McGrath, Emma Murray, Michelle McGrath, Elaine Power(1-0), Caoimhe McGrath, Mary Kate Morrissey, Mairead Wall, Linda Wall (capt)(0-1),Gráinne Kenneally(0-2), Hannah Landers(0-2), Maria Delahunty (1-2,) Sinéad Ryan(1-1) and Michelle Ryan (1-1)

Subs used Aoife Murray(0-1) Aileen Wall (0-2), Mairead Power, Ciara Hurley, Nora Dunphy Lauren Mc Gregor, Emer Scanlan, Margaret Revins(1-0),Shauna Dunphy and Aoife Dunne.