Waterford seniors beat Kildare in LIDL National League

Waterford ladies got back on winning track with a well-deserved win over Kildare at WIT on Saturday last. Coming on the back on an away defeat last time out it was important for the Déise ladies to record a win over last year’s All Ireland Intermediate champions, which they did in style with a comprehensive fifteen point victory on the score-line Waterford 2-15 Kildare 0-6.Waterford were quickly out of the blocks with a point from Lauren McGregor in the 3^rd minute followed by two from Maria Delahunty making a welcome return from injury to leave the Waterford girls three points to the good. Kildare opened their account with a pointed free from captain Róisín Byrne in the 11^th minute but this was quickly cancelled out by Róisín Tobin one minute later. Three more unanswered points for Waterford, courtesy of Geraldine Power, Michelle Ryan and Lauren McGregor stretched the lead to six points after 17 minutes. Waterford as good as put the game out of sight in the 19^th minute with a well-taken goal from Maria Delahunty, but credit to Kildare they replied with two points from Róisín Byrne and one from Ellen Dowling to cut the gap again. Waterford closed out the half with two more points from Abbeyside’s Maria Delahunty to leave the score at half time Waterford 1-9 Kildare 0-4.

Waterford started the second half brightly and the forwards got in on the scoring act, points from Michelle Ryan (two) and one from Maria Delahunty left 11 between the teams at the end of the third quarter. The game finally ended as a contest when a point from Emma Murray was followed up with an Aileen Wall goal in the 18^th minute to leave 14 points between the sides. All Kildare had to offer in reply were two points one each from Orlaith Kirwan and Róisín Byrne. Waterford made a raft of substitutions as manager Pat Sullivan emptied the bench and it was left to Nicola Fennell and Emma Murray to complete the scoring in the final minutes to leave the final score Waterford 2-15 Kildare 0-6. A good win for the Ladies against a Kildare team who are struggling at the moment having lost many of their All Ireland winning team from last year. Waterford’s next outing in an ultra-competitive division is away to Cavan on March 19^th and this game will have a big bearing on who qualifies for the league semi-finals.

Scorers for Waterford—Maria Delahunty (1-5,0-2f), Aileen Wall (1-0), Michelle Ryan (0-3), Lauren McGregor (0-2f), Emma Murray (0-2), Nicola Fennell (0-1), Geraldine Power (0-1) and Róisín Tobin (0-1)

 

Waterford Under 14 Ladies too strong for Limerick

Waterford under 14 ladies football team got their Munster championship campaign off to the best possible start in foggy Ardmore on Saturday last. From the word go the Waterford girls were focussed on the job in hand and were rewarded after only 3 minutes when corner forward Claire Walsh finished off a wonderful move involving the full forward line to get the game’s opening score, a goal. Limerick rallied and midfielder Grace Clohessy pointed for the visitors after 10 minutes. In the next 10 minutes Waterford hit a purple patch with an array of points from Aoife Brazil, Emma Hickey, Hayley Phelan, Mairéad O Brien and an unfortunate own goal by Limerick’s full back left the Déise firmly in the driving seat 2-5 to a point up after 21 minutes. Amy Curtin and Grace Clohessy replied with points for the Treatysiders but Waterford’s response was quick and emphatic with a super goal from Rhona Drohan who also quickly followed this up with a point before Limerick responded with two points of their own, courtesy of centre forward and captain Sarah O Brien to leave the Déise well in front at the short whistle 3-6 to 0-5.

Waterford set about their task in the second half once more with intent, but all they had for their efforts were two points from Aoife Brazil and Claire Walsh. Limerick came back into the game very strongly but excellent defensive work by the backs and three amazing saves by Gautier’s Alisha Flynn that any top class goalkeeper would be proud of kept Limerick scoreless. The game ended as a contest in the 15^th minute of the second half, when full forward Rhona Drohan got her second goal of the game when she struck with a wonderful half-volley past Limerick’s goalie Shona Tierney. Limerick were given a life-line in the 17^th minute but Laura Frawley blazed a penalty over the bar. Two points for Limerick from Sarah O Brien and Grace Clohessy were merely consolation and the icing on the cake was in the final minute when hard-working midfielder Róise Ní Mhuirí was on hand to bury the ball in the back of the Limerick net for Waterford’s fifth goal and a deserved victory on the score-line Waterford 5-8 Limerick 0-8.

This was a brilliant win for Seán Foley’s charges who gave a great performance. The work ethic was very strong and the team ably led by captain Ella O Neill played some wonderful football. The standard of high fielding and kick-passing by both teams was a joy to watch. Waterford now meet Clare in the next round of the championship on March 18^th where a win would guarantee the team a place in the Munster Final. Well done ladies on a great performance, the future of Waterford football is very bright. Finally thanks to all in Ardmore GAA for the use of their facilities and having the pitch in fantastic order.