Waterford Juniors narrowly lose to Kerry

The Waterford Junior camogie side were left to rue missed chances as a dogged Kerry battled to their win at a sun swept Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon.

From the throw in it was nip and tuck all the way.  Waterford recorded the first point on the fifth minutes with a great long range point from Aine Lyng.   Kerry responded with a two points from Jackie Horgan and Olivia Dineen.  Points were registered by Aine Lyng, Maggie Boylan and Abbie Flynn leaving the score at six point each.  Waterford had a fantastic chance on goal when Fiona Ni Bhrian had beaten her marker and was one on one with the goalkeeper. Waterford were very determined and were winning a lot of possession.  On the twenty six minute Kaeisha Tobin blasted the back of the net for the first goal of the match. Kerry rallied very quickly with three quick successive points by Rachel McCarthy, Patrice Diggins and Laura Collins leaving the score at half time at 1-06 to 0-09.

Kerry came out all fired up in the second half. Waterford managed to weather that initial storm with Katie O’Keeffe, Collette Hogan, Ciara Toomey, Clodagh Curran and Niamh Murphy starring among a valiant defence.  Katie O’Keeffe and Collette Hogan make two fantastic saves however were beaten on third occasion when Kerry Alannah Whelan secured Kerry first goal on the 46 minute.  All of Waterford points in the second half were scored by Aine Lyng.  On the fifty night minute the score was 1-09 to 1-10.  Waterford disputed a illegal hand pass by Kerry on Kerry twenty metre line but the referee deemed it legal.  Kerry won a free in injury time which Diggins put over the bar.  The final score of the game went to Kerry Rachel McCarthy leaving the score 1-09 to 1-12.

For Waterford there were some fantastic displays.  The defence were outstanding and in Midfield Clara Griffin and Shauna Fitzgerald thwarted Patrice Diggins the whole way throughout. Kaeisha Tobin and Aine Lyng starred in the forwards. This is Waterford first time entering a junior team and this team had only trained once on the Friday before. Waterford with take a lot of confidence out of the game as they enter the Premier Junior All Ireland Series in July.

Waterford Team: 1.    Katie O’Keeffe 2.  Colette Hogan, 3. Ciara Toomey, 4. Clodagh Curran 5. Niamh Murphy 6. Sadie Mai Rowe, 7. Sinead Cunningham, 8. Shauna Fitzgerald, 9. Clara Griffin, 10.  Aine Lyng, 11. Margaret Ann Boylan, 12.  Tara Power 13. Abbie Dunphy, 14. Kaiesha Tobin, 15. Fiona Ni Bhrian. Subs Used:  Aoife Shanahan came on for Tara Power, Aine Power came on for Fiona Ni Bhrian and Grainne Heffernan came on for Margaret Ann Boylan.

Scorers:  Aine Lyng 0-7, Kaeisha Tobin 1-0, Maggie Anne Boylan 0-1, Abbie Dunphy 0-1