All Waterford eyes will be firmly fixed on Croke Park again this weekend
when the Waterford Kildare rivalry will be renewed, this time it is the turn of
the lady footballers in the TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Final as they attempt
to emulate their Camogie counterparts in bringing further All Ireland glory
back to the Deise. Waterford have qualified for the final by winning the
Munster Intermediate championship for an unprecedented seven in a row and then
despatching Sligo and Leitrim respectively in the All Ireland series.
This will be a close run affair, Kildare have been regraded from Senior
status this season and have impressed in the Leinster campaign winning the
title in style and saw off Wexford and Offaly in the All Ireland qualifiers. In
the All Ireland semi final Kildare were very impressive scoring five goals against
Offaly with sharp shooter Eadaoin Connolly netting a hat-trick for the
Lilywhites. Maria Moolick and Ellen Dowling also add considerable skill to the
forward line and will keep the Waterford defence busy. In goalkeeper Rebecca McGuirk
and midfielder Aisling Holton they possess players of a very high standard who
are capable of producing match winning performances.
Waterford, too, have many star players all over the pitch. Goalkeeper
Katie Hannon is cool under pressure and is known to be able to score a penalty
or two if the need arises. The backs have developed into a strong unit and with
players of the calibre of Megan Dunford, the McGrath sisters Karen and
Michelle, Elaine Power, Nora Dunphy and Aoife Landers they have the ability to
keep the Kildare forwards quiet. In the middle third of the field the team has
many hard-working players including the Wall sisters Linda and Mairead, Louise
Ryan and Nicola Fennell. Waterford’s attack has been very impressive in the
championship to date averaging over 2 goals and 16 points in their six
championship matches to date and with forwards of the calibre of Sinead and
Michelle Ryan, Shauna Dunphy, Aileen Wall, Hannah Landers, Grainne Kenneally,
Maria Delahunty and Mary Foley the Kildare backs could be in for a torrid time
on Sunday next.
This Waterford team has a good mix of experience and younger players in
the squad. Kate McGrath, Mary Kate Morrissey, Emer Scanlon, Ciara Kearney,
Caoimhe McGrath and the Murray triplets Katie, Emma and Aoife are relative newcomers
to the panel, most having made their senior debuts this season but have had
much success at provincial and All Ireland level with the county in the under-
age grades and will not be found wanting in Croke Park on Sunday.
This a hard game to call but the Waterford team have prepared well under
the guidance of Pat Sullivan and his backroom team and will not be found
wanting . Support is vital on the day and the Waterford support will play an
important part in becoming that “16th player” in helping to push the
team over the line and reaching the Holy Grail. Tickets are available from www.tickets.ie and usual GAA
outlets, Centra and Supervalu. Go on, take the bus, car or train to Croker and
help #Bethe Diff. Be there when Linda Wall lifts the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup on
behalf of the Deise girls.
Throw-in, in Croke Park on Sunday next is at 1:45 with Mel Kenny of Mayo
in charge of proceedings.
Homecoming Meal for the Intermediate team
A post-match meal will be held for the team in Lawlor’s Hotel Dungarvan
on Sunday night@9:00 pm. The meal will cost €20 and a limited number of tickets
are available for anybody wishing to attend. Please contact any member of the
County Board executive for tickets.
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