Wins for Waterford’s Intermediate and Under 16 Ladies Footballers

Waterford Intermediate ladies continue unbeaten run

Waterford Intermediate ladies continued their unbeaten run in the Tesco Homegrown Division 3 National Football league with a laboured win over a spirited Roscommon. On the back of a number of impressive performances to date in the division, last year’s Division 4 champions took the game to Waterford from the word go and ably led by sharpshooter Jenny Downey who contributed four unanswered points in the first 18 minutes left the Roscommon girls well in front. Matters got worse for the Waterford girls when Sheila Brady got the Westerners first goal in the 19^th minute. Aoife Dunne opened Waterford’s account in the 20^th minute with a good point but Roscommon raised another green flag courtesy of Siobhán Tully in the 29^th minute to leave nine points between the teams. Sinead Ryan converted a Waterford free on the stroke of half time to leave the score Roscommon 2-4 Waterford 0-2.

Manager Pat Sullivan rang the changes at half time making six substitutions and within minutes the Deise girls were making up for a very inept first half performance. The game was turned on its head in the space of nine minutes with what could only be called the Sinead Ryan show. Sinead pointed in the 33 minute and then struck twice for goals in the 36^th minute and the 38^th minute and levelled matters with a point in the 39^th minute to leave it all square at 2-4 apiece. Five minutes later Aileen Wall was on hand to score a wonderful goal to put Waterford ahead for the first time in the game and give them a lead that they would not relinquish. Emma Murray got in on the scoring act, starting a move deep in her own full back line with a well taken goal in the 45^th minute and her sister Aoife was on hand three minutes later to stretch Waterford’s lead to six points with a point from a difficult angle. Roscommon’s Jenny Downey got her fifth point of the match in the 50^th minute but this was quickly replied to by a Maria Delahunty free .Jenny Downey kicked yet another Roscommon point in the 54^th minute and Laura Mc Loone got her name on the score sheet with a point in the 55^th minute before Aoife Murray finished off a brilliant move started way back in the backs by her sister Emma to put the game well out of Roscommon’s reach. To be fair to the Western girls they never gave up and Rachel Ryan and Jenny Downey were rewarded with two points in the closing minutes to leave the final score Waterford 5-6 Roscommon 2-9.

This win leaves Waterford top of the league table undefeated in five matches and the only team with a 100% record. It also ensures that Waterford should they beat or draw with Longford in their next game will have qualified for the semi final. This game is due to be played in Fraher Field in two weeks time 29^th March.

Waterford lined out as follows: Katie Hannon, Nora Dunphy, Michelle Mc Grath, Mary Foley, Kate Mc Grath, Karen Mc Grath, Caoimhe Mc Grath, Mairead Power, Nicola Fennell, Dede Fahey, Maria Delahunty(0-1), Grainne Kenneally, Ciara Hurley, Sinéad Ryan(2-3) and Aoife Dunne(0-1)

Subs used:Emma Murray(1-0),Megan Dunford, Elaine Power,Mairead Wall, Aileen Wall(1-0), Aoife Murray(1-1), Michelle Ryan, Linda Wall, Lauren Mc Gregor,Liz Devine, Shauna Dunphy, Emer Scanlon and Mary Kate Morrissey

Waterford Under 16’s get off to a winning start

The Waterford under 16 ladies team travelled to Martinstown Limerick on Sunday last to play the home county in the first round of the Munster under 16 championship. This was a hard fought game played at a very fast tempo between two eager teams. Both teams took some time to settle down and traded points but Waterford got two goals in the dying moments of the first half, the first from Hannah Power(Old Parish)and the second from Kate Cliffe. Waterford opened the second half brightly with two goals from Kaiesha Tobin and the Abbie Dunphy. Limerick got on top after this and it took some heroic defending and two great saves by goalie Rosie Landers to keep the Deise girls in front. The game ebbed and flowed with some very good football being played by both teams. Kaiesha and Abbie goaled for Waterford late on in the game to put a gloss on the scoreline and leave the final score Waterford 6-5 Limerick 1-8.This was a good win for the girls but it was not as comprehensive as the score would suggest, Limerick battled hard and will have a big say yet in the destination of honours in the Munster championship. Next up for the girls is a game with Clare in two weeks time. The management would like to thank the large Waterford contingent of supporters who travelled to the game

Waterford under 14’s

Our under 14 girls team were due to play Clare at the weekend, but this game was cancelled as a mark of respect to the late Johnny Hayes (R.I.P.) vice chairman of the Clare Ladies Football County who died suddenly during the week. All at Waterford Ladies offer our sympathies to his wife and children at this sad time.