Waterford Intermediate Ladies qualify for League Final

Waterford Intermediate Ladies qualify for League Final

Waterford Intermediate ladies ensure that teams from the Deise would contest league finals on three fronts in May by virtue of a storming second half performance against Roscommon in Nenagh on Sunday last. Michelle Ryan opened the scoring for Waterford after three minutes but this score was quickly cancelled out by a pointed free from Jenny Downey in the fifth minute. Downey put the Roscommon girls ahead with another point on eight minutes before Aileen Wall equalised two minutes later. In the 11^th minute Maria Delahunty kicked the first of her three points and Aileen Wall doubled the lead with another point on 13 minutes to leave it Waterford 0-4 Roscommon 0-2. Caoilann Beirne and Jenny Downey from a free levelled matters after 22 minutes but Waterford were to forge ahead with a point from Sinead Ryan and a goal in the last minute of the first half to leave Waterford ahead at half time on the score line Waterford 1-5 Roscommon 0-4.

Roscommon opened the second half with two points from Downey before Michelle Ryan kicked two wonderful points to keep Waterford four in front. Jenny Downey kicked another point for Roscommon in the 6^th minute to narrow the gap but this was quickly replied to by Maria Delahunty with two points in the 10^th and 12^th minutes. Aileen Wall who had a fine game for Waterford got her second point in the 12^th minute and Sinead Ryan kicked yet another point a minute later. The game was virtually over as a contest one minute later when Michelle Ryan got on to a long through ball to make no mistake and finish it to the net to leave it 2-11 to 0-7. Substitute Hannah Landers got Waterford’s third goal two minutes later. Jenny Downey replied with a point for a demoralised Roscommon team to narrow the wide gap slightly but the Waterford forwards pressed on and Aileen Wall and Michelle Ryan kicked two points in the 19^th and 20^th minutes respectively. Rachel Ryan got a point back for Roscommon but this was negated almost immediately by a wonderful point from Aileen Wall. Substitute Mary Foley made an immediate impact when introduced and scored what many considered to be a contender for goal of the season in the 23^rd minute. Another sub Louise Ryan put the icing on the cake in the 27^th minute with appoint to leave Waterford convincing winners on the score line Waterford 4-14 Roscommon 0-9

Manager Pat Sullivan was well pleased with the performance of the team and was happy with the fitness of the girls and their application in the second half but is well aware of the enormity of the task ahead in two weeks time when Waterford face Sligo in the Tesco Homegrown Division 3 league final in Parnell Park in Dublin.

Waterford lined out as follows: Katie Hannon, Megan Dunford, Karen Mc Grath, Linda Wall(capt),Michelle Mc Grath, Elaine Power, Emma Murray, Nicola Fennell, Mairead Wall, Grainne Kenneally,Maria Delahunty(0-3), Aileen Wall(0-5), Aoife Murray, Sinead Ryan(1-2), Michelle Ryan(1-4).

Subs introduced: Hannah Landers (1-0), Shauna Dunphy, Louise Ryan (0-1), Mary Foley (1-0) and Margaret Revins.

Waterford under 16 Ladies narrowly beat Clare

Waterford under 16 ladies kept their Munster championship hopes alive with a hard earned but well deserved win over Clare in St Ailbhe’s Park in Emly on Saturday last. In a low scoring encounter in which both defences were on top, the Deise girls came away with a two point victory on the scoreline of Waterford 1-7 to Clare’s 1-5.

Katie Duggan Sullivan opened the scoring for Waterford with a point but Clare replied with one of their own from Sarah Mc Gann and went into the lead when Emma Mc Mahon goaled for the Banner County side. Waterford pulled themselves back into the match with three points in a row, two frees from Kaiesha Tobin and one from Abi Dunphy before Katie Duggan Sullivan struck for an all important goal just before half time. The second half was a ding dong affair with points from Abi Dunphy and Kaiesha Tobin keeping Waterford’s noses just in front and it was fitting that captain Chloe Fennell, fresh from her exploits at Superschools, scored Waterford’s third point to ensure that Waterford stayed ahead and so qualify for a Munster B final against Tipperary on May 10^th

Waterford v Cork in Munster A under 14 final

Our Under 14 team by virtue of a fantastic victory over Kerry in the semi final has qualified for the Munster A final against Cork which will take place on Saturday next in Castletownroche. Waterford, while they may go into the game as underdogs have no fear of facing Cork in this game and play an open-flowing fast game of attacking football. Manager Ciara Dunphy and her backroom team have left no stone unturned in making sure that they will get the best out of their players on Saturday.

Megan Foran in goal is sound and reliable and her long kick outs are a great asset to the team.  Mary Kate Curran leads the defence from full back and with outstanding defenders like Rosie Landers and Carly Dunford around her will ensure that Cork’s attackers will find space at a premium and will be made fight hard for every score. In, Kelly Anne Hogan and Clodagh Carroll, Waterford possess a very good midfield and forwards of the calibre of Sheenagh McGuckian, Keeley Corbett Barry, Maeve Daly, Annie Fitzgerald and captain Sarah Lacey are all well able to take a score when the opportunity arises. It is going to be a tight and intriguing contest and Waterford will be well up for it and it would be no surprise if Waterford become Munster A champions.

 

Waterford Minors return to action

Waterford minors are also in action this week when on Wednesday night they lock horns with Clare in the Munster B championship. Waterford buoyed by their recent victory over Kerry in the Munster A championship possess a number of players who have got National League experience under their belts this season and this should stand in good stead to them. Nine players of the panel have lined out for the Intermediates and the team looks very strong all over the field. In the back line Emma Murray, Megan Dunford, Katie Hayes, Caitriona O Brien and Kate Mc Grath all have a wealth of experience. Caoimhe McGrath and Rebecca Casey for a very strong midfield pairing and up front Lauren Mc Gregor, Ciara Hurley, Aoife and Katie Murray among others provide plenty of fire power to ensure that the Clare defenders will have a very busy evening. The Banner girls will put it up to Waterford but Waterford’s greater experience should ensure that the girls take a major step towards qualification for a Munster final.