Waterford Under 16 Ladies Are Munster Champions

Waterford Lady Footballers made no mistake in claiming the Munster Under 16 title at the second time of asking with a good win over Clare in the Munster Final replay held in Tipperary Town on Saturday last. Going into the match, Waterford were determined to eradicate the mistakes from the previous match when they trailed Clare by nine points after only 16 minutes. Waterford started with purpose and by the time Annie Fitzgerald got Waterford’s first goal in the 14^th minute they were four points clear and held a lead that they would keep throughout the game. Clare battled hard in the first half and it took stout defending from Waterford with Róisín Dunphy at full back and Mary Kate Curran and Cora Murray outstanding in the half back line. Waterford led at the break by seven points on a score-line of Waterford 2-4 Clare 0-3,the second goal coming from Sarah Lacey, but the score did not do justice to the Clare effort and the Déise had their Goalkeeper Rosie Landers to thank for keeping them ahead with four wonderful saves.

Early in the second half Clare got a life line when the busy Claire Towey finished off a movement with a good goal to leave only five points between the teams but that was to prove to be the Banner Ladies only score of the second half. Two goals in rapid succession by Sarah Lacey and Annie Fitzgerald ended the game as a contest with 15 minutes to go. There was much good football played by both sides in the final quarter with little or no scoring reward. With three minutes to go Mary Kate Curran finished a wonderful move with a goal fit to grace any game and Waterford ran out comfortable winners in the end on a final score-line Waterford 5-7 Clare 1-3.

This was a great team performance. Waterford’s Kelly Anne Hogan was awarded the Player of the Match award but there were many outstanding performers for the Déise on the day including Rosie Landers, Róisín Dunphy, Sarah Lacey, Cora Murray and Mary Kate Curran. Manager Johnny Troy was delighted with his charges for their effort and commitment on the day in winning the Munster title but is under no illusions that there are more difficult tasks awaiting his team in the All Ireland series. Waterford will play the Ulster champions in July in the All Ireland semi-finals.