Historic first victory for Waterford Camogie Seniors

Waterford 3-12  Derry 2-09

Waterford made the long journey north to face Derry in the final round of Irish Daily Star League and came away with an historic first win in the senior grade.

In a windswept Owenbeg, Waterford delivered their most complete 60 minutes performance of the year so far and fully merited their hard fought win. The effort given by the group was truly outstanding considering six of the starting team had played the Minor championship game against Wexford the previous day and Jenny Simpson, one of the team's stalwarts, was lost through injury just before start of the match. Special mention also of the three young players Brianna O'Regan, Ciara Jackman and Aoife Shanahan who made their senior debuts in what were very testing conditions and came through in fine style.

Waterford lost the toss and Derry opted to play with a very stiff breeze in the first half. Derry were first off the blocks with a point in the first minute of the game.   Waterford responded with a great point from Beth Carton.  Fourteen minutes in Lorraine Bray scored a fantastic goal putting Waterford ahead for the first time.  The Waterford team restricted Derry to just a 4 point lead at half-tie, 2.05 to 1.04 through a gritty defensive approach and swift counter attacking. 

Building on the first half defensive effort, Waterford delivered a second half performance of attacking verve and penetration scoring 2.08 in the process goals been scored by Beth Carton and Lorraine Bray.  Waterford restricted their opponents to just four points in the second half. This was testament to the defence who were rock solid right throughout . Sibeal Harney was outstanding in the second half, driving at the Derry defence at every opportunity, especially when she moved to centre forward to replace the injured Niamh Rockett for the final quarter. 

The team built on the progress shown in the previous three round games, playing at a pace and skill level Derry struggled to cope with. Waterford's central spine anchored the team with Brianna O'Regan, Fiona Morrissey, Kate McMahon, Lorraine Bray, Trish Jackman, Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton prominent throughout the game and involving their wing companions in pinning their opponents back time and again. Claire Whyte and Mairead Power were rock solid in the corner back positions, particularly in the first half when facing the elements.

Overall a very uplifting win for the team and its management, meaning they will face the forthcoming Munster and All Ireland competitions with great encouragement and enthusiasm. Next Match for the senior girls is Munster Championship against Limerick on the 8^th of May.

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Mairead Power, Fiona Morrissey, Claire Whyte, Charlotte Raher; Kate McMahon, Becky Kavanagh Lorraine Bray, Trish Jackman; Sibeal Harney, Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton; Aisling Power, Ciara Jackman, Zoey O’Donoghue Subs: Aoife Shanahan for Niamh Rockett 52mins.

Scorers: Lorraine Bray 2-01 Beth Carton  1-02, Zoey O’Donoghue 0-03 Aisling Power 0-02 Niamh Rockett 0-02 Trish Jackman 0-01, Ciara Jackman 0-1

Wexford deny Déise minors in six goal thriller

Waterford’s hopes of reaching the semi finals of the minor A camogie championship suffered a setback as Wexford inflicted a second defeat at a breezy Carriganore on Saturday.

The hosts led by five points at one stage but second half goals by Shauna Kelly and Aoife Guiney swung the game in favour of the purple and gold. Beth Carton shot 2-6 (2-1 from play) from centre forward yet she couldn’t prevent another narrow loss. Sibeal Harney lifted the team with an all-action display at midfield and goalscorer Aisling Power also put her best foot forward.

Despite the swirling wind and intermittent showers, these two committed teams served up an entertaining hour. Wexford won the toss and captain Leanne Foley elected to play towards the dressing rooms with the elements behind them. It took only 80 seconds for Aoife Curran to strike their opening point and midfielder Oonagh Doyle added to it. In the sixth minute, Beth Carton collected Brianna O’Regan’s free and while under intense pressure, delivered Waterford’s first. Roisin Kelly and Carton then exchanged frees as a heavy shower descended on the WIT venue.

The first goal of six arrived on twelve minutes. Aisling Power batted down a high ball from Sibeal Harney into the path of Carton who blasted to the net past Emma Kiely (1-2 to 0-3). Two Carton frees increased Waterford’s lead and Power was denied by a close range save from Kiely. Shauna Kelly missed a glorious goal chance for Wexford after Aoife Guiney’s point attempt clipped the post. Six minutes before the break, Carton glided past four defenders and passed inside for Power to find the bottom corner (2-4 to 0-5).

Wexford improved as the interval approached. Oonagh Doyle notched her third point from play following a probing run by Guiney. On the stroke of half time, Doyle’s delivery dropped invitingly around the goalmouth and corner forward Aoife Dunne scooped the ball beyond Brianna O’Regan. One point separated the teams at the short whistle.

Carton converted a difficult free from the sideline eight minutes into the second half. Wexford got their noses in front when Shauna Kelly connected with Roisin Kelly’s teasing ball. Their lead barely lasted sixty seconds as Carton rattled the top corner of the net at the opposite end (3-5 to 2-6).

Waterford kicked on and a marvellous catch by Sibeal Harney resulted in a point for Aisling Power. Roisin Kelly responded and the game took a decisive turn entering the last quarter. Aoife Guiney cut in from the right wing on a solo run and struck to the far corner. Sarah O’Connor extended the gap to two with a free from 45 metres out.

Carton missed an earlier 45 but made up for it with a free two minutes from the end. The Déise frantically chased an equaliser but Aisling Power was penalised for steps when she tried to make her through the Wexford rearguard. At the other end, sub Clodagh Jackman was fouled and O’Connor secured a two-point win with an injury time free.

Scorers for Wexford: A Dunne, S Kelly, A Guiney 1-0 each, S O’Connor (3fs), O Doyle 0-3 each, R Kelly 0-2 (1f), A Curran 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: B Carton 2-6 (5fs), A Power 1-1.

Wexford: E Kiely; D Doyle, L Foley, A Ennis; A McCrea, Rachel Kelly, R Cooney; S O’Connor, O Doyle; E Codd, Roisin Kelly, A Curran; S Kelly, A Guiney, A Dunne.

Subs: O Molloy for Curran, C Jackman for S Kelly.

Waterford: B O’Regan; S Cunningham, S O’Brien, C Drohan; C Healy, M Dunford, A Shanahan; S Harney, K McMahon; S Bonnar, B Carton, A Madigan; C Jackman, A Power, C Glavin.

Subs: C Curran for Shanahan, A Corcoran for Madigan, S Fitzgerald for Healy.

Referee: L Dempsey (Kilkenny)

Upcoming Inter County fixtures:

All Ireland Minor Championship Round 4

Waterford vs Limerick – Sunday 3^rd of April- Venue-Limerick  time and location to be confirmed.

Best of luck to our minors on Sunday next. This is a must win game for Waterford to remain in contention to qualify for the semi final. Waterford narrowing lost to Cork and Wexford and will want to put the disappointed of the loss behind them. Waterford can still qualify if they win against Limerick and Wexford beat Cork.

A night at the Dogs- Kilcohan Dog Track 9^th of April

Tickets are on sale in all clubs for our upcoming Dog night. Tickets will also be available from Dungarvan Shopping centre next week. We would encourage as many people to buy tickets and come and support Waterford Camogie on the night. Also if there are any businesses interested in sponsoring a race or putting an ad in our programme  please contact John Flood  on 087 6684474 or Lynsey Tutty on 086 8113531.  All support is gratefully appreciated.