After their stunning win over hotly fancied Armagh in the TG4 All
Ireland senior championship in Clane two weeks ago, Waterford ladies hope to
take another notable scalp when they face up to Munster finalists Kerry in the
next round of the competition. This will be the counties second meeting in
competitive action this season with the girls from the Kingdom coming out
victors in the Munster round-robin series of games on a score-line of Kerry
1-14 Waterford 1-7.This game was played in Brosna Co Kerry in June and both
teams have been in action once in the championship since then, Waterford had
that wonderful win over Armagh and Kerry were defeated by Cork in the Munster
Final.
In the previous game between the teams Waterford were over-reliant on
Maria Delahunty for scores, she kicked all of her teams seven points with a
goal by Michelle Ryan being the only other contribution on the score board by a
Waterford player. Normal service has been restored with a better distribution
of scores against Armagh with Aileen Wall, Sinead Ryan and Caoimhe McGrath
ending up on the scorers list as well as Maria Delahunty and Michelle Ryan.
Kerry are a very strong side who would have ambitions of winning the All
Ireland this year and have many marquee players. Bernie Breen, Sarah Houlihan
and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh are top class players as is All Star defender
Aislinn Desmond. Kerry reached the semi-final of Division 1 of the LIDL league
where they were narrowly defeated by Galway. They play a nice brand of football
and move the ball quickly from defence to attack. Waterford play a very skilful
type of football also and pride themselves in having a high work rate and a
determination to help each other out at all times. Katie Hannon in goal is the
first line of defence and is assured and inspires confidence in her team mates.
In the back line Mairéad and Linda Wall along with Michelle McGrath, Louise
Ryan and Megan Dunford are hard-working and set up numerous attacks. Karen
McGrath, Hannah Power and Emma Murray work tirelessly up and down the field to
ensure quality possession for the forwards. Up front Aileen Wall and Maria
Delahunty top scored against Armagh with a total of 2-10 between them with many
of these scores being made by the incisive running and support play of the other
forwards around them notably Grainne Kenneally, Michelle Ryan, Lauren Mc Gregor
and Caoimhe McGrath who was making a welcome return to inter- county action
after a long lay-off due to injury.
Saturday’s game looks to be intriguing, on paper Kerry are the hottest
of favourites to win, but Waterford have the capabilities to make life tough
for the Kingdom and take a second notable scalp in the Senior championship.
Throw-in in Birr on Saturday next 6th is at 3:45 with Mel Kenny from
Mayo in charge of proceedings and the game is part of a double header with
Cavan and Laois featuring in the first game at 2:00.
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