Waterford Ladies qualify for League Final in emphatic style

Waterford ladies footballers kept their hopes for league glory very much alive with an excellent win over a largely disappointing Leitrim team in the semi-final of the LIDL Division 3 league. Played in excellent conditions, in McCann Park, Portarlington Co Laois, Waterford blitzed the Connacht side from the start with a powerful display of possession football. Points from Maria Delahunty who punished Leitrim at every opportunity with her accurate free taking and goals from Katie Murray, Michelle Ryan and Sinead Ryan left the Déise girls very much in the driving seat at half time on the score-line Waterford 3-8 Leitrim 0-5.

The expected onslaught from the Leitrim girls after half time did not materialise as Waterford were clinical in their finishing. Sinead Ryan added to her goal tally with another in the second half, coupled with a well taken goal from Ballyduff’s Gráinne Kenneally and a brace from substitute Ciara Hurley  along with points from Aileen Wall and Róisín Tobin meant that Waterford ran out easy winners on the final score-line Waterford 7-15 Leitrim 0-6.

This result sets Waterford up for a final appearance against near neighbours and old rivals Tipperary. This game has the makings of a thriller as both teams have produced wonderful performances in the league to date. In the first round of the league Waterford eked out a narrow win over the Premier girls with a one point win on the score line Waterford 0-18 Tipperary 2-11. Both teams have been unbeaten since then with Tipperary being very impressive in coming from behinds to defeat a strong Wexford team to qualify for the final. The LIDL division 3 final takes place on Saturday 30^th April at 3:45 with the venue to be finalised.

Waterford lined out as follows: Katie Hannon, Mairead Wall, Michelle McGrath, Linda Wall, Emma Murray, Louise Ryan, Grainne Kenneally(1-0), Megan Dunford, Katie Murray(1-1), Maria Delahunty(0-6), Michelle Ryan(1-3), Caoimhe McGrath,  Aileen Wall(0-1), Liz Devine(0-1) Sinead Ryan(2-2). Subs used: Aisling Mullaney, Caragh McCarthy, Ciara Hurley (2-0) Lauren McGregor and Róisín Tobin (0-1)

 

WLPA Hero of the month

Congratulations to Maria Delahunty on her selection as Women’s Ladies Player Association Hero of the Month for the month of March based on her outstanding performances in the league during the month.

 

Under 16 ladies qualify for Munster final.

Waterford’s under 16 ladies team qualified for a Munster B final tilt with Tipperary as a result of their win over Limerick on Saturday last. In a must-win situation following from their narrow one point defeat to Tipperary on St Patrick’s Day, the Waterford girls played some excellent football to record a great win on the score-line Waterford 8-14 Limerick 4-1. Well done to manager Johnny Troy and all concerned.

 

Féile success for Gaultier and Ballysaggart

Congratulations to Gaultier and Ballysaggart who are Waterford ladies football representatives in Féile Peil na nÓg to be held in Kerry, Limerick and North Cork in June. Gaultier will be in Division 3, based in West Limerick in a group which includes Old Mill, Donegal and Mungret/St Paul’s. Ballysaggart will fly the flag for the Déise in Division 5 and will be based in Kerry in a group which includes Kerin O’Rahilly’s, Galway and Ballyduff/Beale. Best of luck to both clubs competing in this prestigious competition.