Waterford Ladies win Dress Rehearsal for Munster final

Waterford Intermediate Ladies football team beat Clare on Sunday last in the final round robin match of the Munster championship. By virtue of previous results both teams have qualified for the final and as a result neither manager was prepared to give much away in this match. Both teams lined out missing some regular players and there were a number of positional changes to the programme. Waterford started well and Sinead Ryan had two points on the scoreboard before Ellie O Gorman opened Clare’s account in the 6^th minute. Stradbally’s Nicola Fennell and Sinead Ryan added to the Waterford tally to leave the Deise girls three points in front after 12 minutes. Clare rallied and unanswered points from Niamh Keane, Kate Coughlan and Grainne Nolan left it all square after 22 minutes. Waterford went back into the lead with a well-taken goal by Hannah Landers and a point by Sinead Ryan to leave the score at half time Waterford 1-5 Clare 0-4

Clare opened the scoring in the second half with a point from Roisin Howley which was quickly cancelled out by Michelle Ryan. Michelle added her second point in the 37^th minute to leave Waterford ahead by five points. Grainne Nolan kept Clare in touch with a point in the 39^th minute. With very little except pride at stake the level of intensity dropped considerably and it took all of eight minutes for either side to register a score. Waterford’s captain and corner back Linda Wall, on one of her many forays up field finished a flowing move with a well taken point. Grainne Nolan kicked a point for Clare in the 47^th minute and Marie Considine narrowed the gap to three in the 51^st minute. Maria Delahunty was introduced to the fray and immediately pointed a free and Mary Foley added yet another one for Waterford in the 54^th minute. Clare not to be outdone tacked on two points of their own courtesy of Grainne Nolan and Kate Coughlan before Maria Delahunty pointed yet again for Waterford. With a couple of minutes to go a wonderful tackle by Kate Mc Grath turned over a promising Clare attack and the ball found its way down to Mary Foley who made no mistake and drilled it to the net for Waterford’s second goal. From then on the game petered out to a tame finish with Maria Delahunty and Ciara Cahill exchanging points to leave the final score Waterford 2-12 Clare 0-11.

This was a good win for the Deise girls as it keeps their unbeaten run in the championship intact but a full-strength Clare will be a different team in the Munster Final which will take play in Mallow on Saturday July 11^th at 4p.m.

  

Minors to face Tipperary in the Munster Final

Waterford minors have a tough task ahead of them when they face hot favourites Tipperary in the Munster Final on Saturday next. Tipp will be the raging hottest of favourites due to the fact that they ran Cork very close in the Munster A final only losing out by the slimmest of margins in the dying seconds of the game. Waterford managed by Crohan Mc Gregor and ably aided by Joe Murray and Sean Curry have prepared well although their preparations have been hampered by a number of injuries to key players.

Tipperary have a very strong panel and in Louise Cadell, Shania Dowling, Caoimhe Condon, Maria Curley and Elaine Fitzpatrick have players who have great skill and experience. Their forwards will have to be watched closely as their scorers in chief; Aoibhe O’Shea and centre forward Aisling Moloney have the fire-power to do serious damage if given the opportunities to do so.

Waterford will not be found wanting however and have some quality players of their own. Rioghnach Hyland from the Ballyduff club has impressed in recent weeks in goals. The back line looks strong with players like Caitriona O Brien, Kate Mc Grath, Caragh McCarthy Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath and Katie Hayes all ready to repel the Tipp attacks. Midfield should be an interesting battle with Rebecca Casey and Emma Murray matching up with Aoife Corcoran and Elaine Fitzpatrick. In the forward line Waterford have potential match winners in Chloe Fennell, Aoife Murray, Katie Murray, Lauren Mc Gregor, Kate Hahessey, Liz Devine, Lauren Guiry and Ciara Hurley who are all well able to score. It promises to be an intriguing tie with no quarter being given or asked. Throw-In in Fraher Field on Saturday next 4^th July is at 12:30

Feile Peil na nÓg 2015

Well done to Gaultier and Ballysaggart Ladies teams who represented the county with pride last week end. Gaultier had a titanic struggle in the final of their division being narrowly beaten by Clan na Gael on the score-line 1- 6 to 1-5.Ballysaggart  reached the semi final of their division bowing out to a very strong St Ailbhe’s team from Limerick. Our thanks to all involved in the two clubs who gave the girls this wonderful opportunity.