Connacht champions Roscommon ended our minor team’s dreams of All
Ireland success when they defeated the Deise girls by two points on a final
score line of Roscommon 3-7 Waterford 1-11.
Played in blustery conditions in Mc Donagh Park Nenagh on Saturday last,
Waterford got off to a great start with a point from corner forward Aoife
Murray in the 4th minute. This was followed by a brilliant passing
movement started by Kate McGrath in midfield who transferred the ball quickly
to Emma Murray who fed it to the full forward Ciara Hurley and the Dungarvan
girl made no mistake beating the Roscommon goalie for a wonderful goal in the 8th
minute. The game was then held up for a lengthy period as Roscommon half back
Niamh Feeney had to be stretchered off. Roscommon opened their account with a
point in the 20th minute by Rachel Fitzmaurice followed by another
pointed free by the same girl one minute later.
The game was held up again as Ciara Hurley was injured and required
attention in the 20th minute. Referee Jason Mullins had no
hesitation in awarding a yellow card for the incident leaving Roscommon with 14
players for the rest of the first half. This seemed to galvanise the western
girls into action two points in quick succession by Meaveen Greene and Sinead
Farrell left the minimum between the teams. Katie Murray stretched the lead to
two for Waterford before Rachel Fitzmaurice made it all square with a brace of
points. Aoife Murray and Ciara Hurley put Waterford ahead with half time
looming but the Deise girls were rocked when full forward Niamh Shanagher
finished the ball to the net to leave Roscommon ahead by a point 1-6 to 1-5 at
the half time break.
Roscommon got a great start in the second half when Niamh Shanagher was
first to react to a great save by Waterford goalkeeper Jess Fitzgerald and
finished the ball to the net for her and Roscommon’s second goal. Waterford to
their credit refused to give up and quickly cancelled out that goal with three
points in quick succession courtesy of Ciara Hurley(two) and Katie Murray.
Waterford levelled matters when Ciara Hurley kicked her fourth point of the
match in the 12th minute. Roscommon went back in front with a point
from centre forward Rachel Fitzmaurice with 8 minutes remaining. Substitute
Heather Payne made her mark for the Rossies in the 24th minute with
a goal that was to prove to be the killer blow to leave three points between
the teams.
Waterford fought back and a minute later Hannah Power who surged up the
field kicked a wonderful point Chloe Fennell gave Waterford hope with a point
with time running out. Waterford attacked incessantly and were camped in front
of the Roscommon goal but the goal that they craved just wouldn’t come due to
excellent defending and a slice of luck for the Roscommon girls. Jason Mullins
blew the final whistle to leave two points between the teams agony for
Waterford and ecstasy for Roscommon who now go forward to an All Ireland final
date against Meath in two weeks time.
Waterford Seniors face Armagh in All Ireland series
Waterford seniors open their campaign in the All Ireland series of
matches with a tough encounter against Armagh in Clane Co Kildare on Saturday
next. In the draw which took place in Croke Park on Wednesday last Waterford
were the second team out of the hat and so have to play a preliminary round.
Waterford’s opponents Armagh were well beaten in the Ulster semi final by
Monaghan on a score line of Monaghan 3-17 Armagh 2-4. This score line was a
surprise to many as Armagh were very competitive in the LIDL league Division
1 and controversially missed out on a semi final place losing to Cork in
their final game. Armagh are a star studded team with Aimee Mackin and Caroline
O Hanlon their stand out players. Waterford and Armagh have met in recent times
in an All Ireland and a league final and the result has always been close.
Waterford have prepared well for this game having been very competitive
in the Munster championship and winning the league after a replay with
Tipperary. Waterford have many stars of their own from Katie Hannon in goal all
the way up the field with five members of the team of the League Aileen Mairead
and Linda Wall, Gráinne Kenneally and Maria Delahunty featuring. It will be a
tough match Armagh with new manager, former inter-county star Ronan Clarke will
be well prepared but Waterford under the watchful eye of manager Pat Sullivan
are ready for anything the Orchard County will throw at them. It will be a
titanic struggle, with both teams willing to give their all, Waterford have
what it takes to win but it is going to take 100% concentration and
determination to get over the winning line. Throw-in, in Clane is at 2:00 on
Saturday next.
Dungarvan take Adult 11-a side Division 2 title
Played in very warm conditions on Sunday last, Dungarvan took the 11-a
side title when they overcame Comeragh Rangers B with a hard working display
and some excellent score taking. Dungarvan set down a marker early on with a
brace of early goals to take a lead that they would not give up and were well
in control by half time leading on a score line of 2-8 to 1-3. Comeragh Rangers
opened the second half brightly with two points but it was Dungarvan’s ability
to find the net at the right moments that put the game beyond a game Comeragh
team. In the second half Dungarvan added 4 goals and 10 point to their tally to
leave them worthy winners on a final score line of Dungarvan 6-18 Comeragh
Rangers B 2-7.
Adult championship Round-up
Our adult championship is now well up and running with a number of games
played over the weekend. Comeragh Rangers got their senior campaign off to a
good start with an easy win over a depleted Ballyduff side. In the intermediate
championship St Pats came out victorious over St Anne’s while Abbeyside had a
narrow win over Clashmore. In the Junior A championship Na Déise got their
campaign up and running with a win over Kilrossanty Brickey Rangers.
St Pats and Ballymacarbry take under 14 titles
St Pats and Ballymacarbry both won county under 14 titles in Fraher Field
on Wednesday night last when they defeated Comeragh Rangers and Stradbally
respectively in their finals. In the D final St Pats proved the old saying true
that goals win matches when they put six past Comeragh Rangers to take the
title on a score line of St Pats 6-2 Comeragh Rangers 1-8. In the A final this
turned out to be an epic match with a very high standard of football being
played. Stradbally got off to a dream start with 2 goals and 2 points on the
scoreboard before Ballymac registered their first score. However the girls from
the Nire valley worked their way back into the game and by half –time had
levelled up matters on a score line of 3 goals and 2 points each. The second
half was an epic struggle with scores at a premium, both defences performed
heroically as the play ebbed and flowed. A goal for Ballymac mid way through
the second half was to prove vital as it gave them the lead for the first time.
Despite the valiant efforts of the Stradbally girls, Ballymac had their noses
in front when the final whistle blew and ended up victorious on a final
score-line Ballymacarbry 4-5 Stradbally 3-5 in an enthralling encounter. Well
done to all four teams and their mentors on the night who served up a feast of
excellent football.
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