Waterford under 16 ladies pip Kildare in a thriller

Waterford under 16 ladies footballers continue their journey in quest for All Ireland honours and have qualified for an All Ireland final tilt with Connacht champions Roscommon on Wednesday 29^th at 7:00 at a venue yet to be confirmed. This final spot was claimed by virtue of a narrow win over Leinster champions Kildare in Freshford Co. Kilkenny in a super game of football which ebbed and flowed and was in doubt until the very last minute.

Playing with the aid of a slight breeze in the first half Waterford were rocked on their heels after only 55 seconds when mid-fielder Shauna Fitzgerald was injured and had to be replaced with Keeley Corbett Barry coming in, in her place. Both teams were very nervous but gradually settled into the match and it was Kildare who opened the scoring with a point from mid-fielder Kate Hannon in the 4^th minute. Dungarvan’s Katie Duggan Sullivan equalised one minute later and three points from Kaiesha Tobin and a goal from Katie Duggan Sullivan in the 16^th minute left the Deise comfortably ahead, Waterford 1-4 to Kildare’s single point. Kildare quickly got into their rhythm and a point from Nicole Dooley in the 18^th minute was quickly followed up with wonderful points by Kate Hannon, Áine Nash and Nanci Murphy narrowed the gap before Kaiesha Tobin pointed a free for a much needed Deise score to leave Waterford ahead by a goal at half time Waterford 1-5 Kildare 0-5.

Waterford opened the second half brightly when Tramore’s Abi Dunphy popped over a good point in the 2^nd minute but Kildare hit back with vengeance with a point from Kayleigh Humphries and a well worked goal from mid-fielder Áine Nash to level matters in the 5^th minute. The Lilywhites took the lead in the 8^th minute when Nanci Murphy scored a point. Kaiesha Tobin and Nanci Murphy traded points as did Keeley Corbett Barry and Nanci Murphy to leave Kildare with the minimum advantage with 9 minutes to go. Kaiesha Tobin pointed a free in the 22^nd minute and set the game up for a grand stand finish, all square with 8 minutes left on the clock. The game ebbed and flowed with the over-worked Waterford defence performing heroics to keep the Kildare girls at bay. A quick break out of defence led to a free in for Waterford which Kaiesha Tobin duly put over the bar with 4 minutes to go to put Waterford back in front. This proved to be a lead that the team would not surrender, heroic work all over the field, coupled with no small measure of luck when Kildare hit the post and crossbar ensured that the Deise held firm and three more unanswered points courtesy of Kaiesha Tobin, Keeley Corbett Barry and Annie Fitzgerald in what seemed to the supporters a never ending injury time ensured that the Deise had broken Kildare hearts and qualified for the All Ireland final.

This was a great game of football which on another night could have produced a totally different result. The commitment of both teams all through was exceptional. Manager Johnny Troy had his charges well prepared and the fighting spirit of the team made sure that nobody gave up. It was a great win for the Waterford team but another big challenge awaits them in the form of Roscommon who were very impressive winners of the Connacht championship and even more impressive winners in their semi final against a fancied Cavan team by nine points.