Waterford Intermediate Ladies in All Ireland Semi Final

Waterford intermediate ladies by virtue of a hard earned win over their league final conquerors Sligo have now qualified for the All Ireland semi final and have set up an intriguing clash against Connacht champions Leitrim.

 From the outset Waterford set about their task in a very professional manner and Maria Delahunty opened the score in the second minute with a pointed free. This score was quickly cancelled out by Sligo’s sharpshooter Katie Walsh. Walsh had proved to be a thorn in the Waterford side in the league final helping herself to 2 goals and 4 points but in this game she was well policed by a very vigilant Waterford defence. Maria Delahunty kicked her second free to put Waterford back in front and the Deise girls were given a sharp reminder of how dangerous the Sligo attack was when a speculative ball into the Waterford square was finished to the net by corner forward Denise Mc Grath only for to see her effort ruled out for an infringement. Sligo piled on the pressure but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard due to some wonderful goalkeeping by Katie Hannon and a save off the line by Grainne Kenneally. Kenneally was unlucky at the other end of the field when following a sweeping movement from one end of the field to the other her shot went narrowly wide with the Sligo goalkeeper beaten.

Maria Delahunty put her side three points to the good with another pointed free and the Waterford lead was doubled to six when Katie Hannon made the long trek from the goal to take a penalty after Grainne Kenneally was fouled in the large square and the goalie from Ballyduff made no mistake with her effort. The first score from plat came from the boot of Sligo midfielder Sinead Mc Tiernan in the 22^nd minute but just on the stroke of half time Waterford’s lead became six again when captain Linda Wall broke up field to pop over a point to leave the half time score Waterford 1-5 Sligo 0-2.

Waterford opened the second half in resolute fashion determined to finish the job. Points from Maria Delahunty and Sinead Ryan left eight between the teams but Sligo hit back playing some excellent football with three points of their own courtesy of Katie Walsh (two) and captain Stephanie O Reilly. Further points were trades by Sinead Ryan and Rachel Monaghan and also by Michelle Ryan and Emma Hansbury to keep the deficit at five points with ten minutes to go. Maria Delahunty and Michelle Ryan kicked two more points for Waterford to press home their advantage but Katie Walsh ensured that Sligo grimly held on with a point of her own. This was to prove however to be a false hope for Sligo as this was to be their last score of the match. Waterford pressed on and unanswered points by Aileen Wall, Maria Delahunty and Sinead Ryan left no doubt that it was going to be Waterford’s day. Fittingly it was left to Delahunty to kick the last point of the match, her ninth to leave Waterford impressive winners on the final score-line 1-15 to 0-8.

Waterford now march on to an All Ireland semi final appearance against Connacht champions Leitrim on Saturday 29^th August with the game to be played in Limerick with a 4:15 throw in.

Waterford lined out as follows: Katie Hannon; Mairead Wall, Michelle McGrath, Linda Wall; Megan Dunford, Elaine Power, Emma Murray; Karen McGrath, Louise Ryan; Hannah Landers, Maria Delahunty, Aileen Wall; Gráinne Kenneally, Sinead Ryan, Mary Foley. Subs: Michelle Ryan for Mary Foley, Caoimhe McGrath for Hannah Landers, Kate McGrath for Louise Ryan, Mary Kate Morrissey for Gráinne Kenneally.