Waterford Lady
Footballers got their LIDL Munster Senior campaign off to an excellent start
with a well deserved win over Kerry in rainy conditions in Fraher Field on Saturday last. Waterford started brightly but
it was Kerry who registered the first score, a point from Louise Ní
Mhuircheartaigh in the 3rd minute. Waterford quickly hit back with
two good points from full forward Maria Delahunty to leave the Déise a point up
after 9 minutes. Anna Galvin equalised for the Kingdom in the 10th
minute and straight from the kick out Amanda Brosnan got possession and pointed
to put Kerry back in front.
Maria Delahunty got
Waterford’s third and fourth points in the 15th and 16th
minutes respectively after some good build up play and quick passing of the
ball. Aileen Wall stretched Waterford’s lead in the 17th minute with
a well taken point and indeed could have gone further ahead but were guilty of
two bad wides. Sarah Houlihan pointed a free for Kerry and Miriam O Keeffe
levelled matters in the 22nd minute at five points apiece. Maria
Delahunty put Waterford back in front with a well taken free on 26 minutes and
added a point from play one minute later.
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh pointed a free in injury time to leave the score at
half time Waterford 0-7 Kerry 0-6.
Waterford opened the
second half with intent with an effort from Michelle Ryan being saved by the
Kerry goalkeeper but the Ballymacarbry forward didn’t give up and her determination
in winning the rebound led to a deserved Waterford goal after 3 minutes of the
second half. Emma Sherwood replied with a point to keep Kerry in touch but
Katie Murray quickly replied with a point for the Déise in the 5th
minute. Laura Rogers pointed a free in the 7th minute to leave a
goal between the teams.
Kerry pressed
forward but were finding the Waterford back in uncompromising mood. An effort
from Sarah Houlihan was brilliantly turned around the post by Jessica
Fitzgerald and the danger was once again averted. Waterford’s forwards at this
stage were finding it difficult to get clean possession but after a series of
wides a good pass by Emma Murray to Maria Delahunty led to the Abbeyside girl
putting the ball over the bar to stretch the lead out to four points with 16
minutes to go.
Waterford pressed
forward and were rewarded when a Róisín Tobin effort completely deceived the
Kerry goalkeeper Laura Fitzgerald to leave Waterford in pole position seven
points to the good with nine minutes remaining. Kerry pushed forward but wave
after wave of attack was repulsed by the Waterford back line. Kerry got four 45
metre kicks in the space of five minutes but they got no reward on the score
board due to the composure of the Waterford defence. Anna Galvin added a point
for the Kingdom to bring the margin back to six points and with the last attack
of the game corner forward Laura Galvin got Kerry’s only goal of the game to
leave three points between the sides when referee AJ Cronin who had an
excellent game all through blew the final whistle to leave Waterford well
deserved winners on the final score line Waterford 2-9 Kerry 1-9.
This was a great
team performance from Waterford and all the players raised their game to secure
an outstanding result over the favourites Kerry. The Backs as a unit were
resolute and afforded a very dangerous Kerry outfit very few real chances
during the game. Midfield was very strong and the players were tireless in
their efforts and while conditions did not really favour forwards they certainly
caused the Kerry backs many problems. Manager Pat Sullivan was delighted with
the effort put in by the team. He was confident in their ability and firmly
believed that they could beat Kerry on the day. This was a great result for
Waterford in their second year back in the senior grade. Waterford now go
forward to a second round Munster championship clash with reigning champions
Cork on June 4th at a County Waterford venue.
Scorers: Waterford –
M Delahunty 0-7, M Ryan & R Tobin 1-0 each, A Wall & K Murray 0-1 each.
Kerry – L Ní
Mhuircheartaigh 0-3, L Rogers 1-0, S Houlihan 0-2, A Galvin, A Brosnan, M
O’Keeffe & L Scanlon 0-1 each.
Waterford lined out
as follows--- Jessica Fitzgerald, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe Mc Grath, Kate Mc
Grath,Dearbhaile Ní Aodha,Karen Mc Grath, Michelle Mc Grath, Mairéad Wall, Emma
Murray,Róisin Tobin(1-0), Gráinne Kenneally,Katie Murray(0-1),Aileen
Wall(0-1),Maria Delahunty(0-7) and Michelle Ryan(1-0)
Subs used--- Eimear
Fennell, Aoife Murray, and Nicola Fennell.
Waterford Under 14 Ladies win All Ireland Blitz
Waterford under 14
ladies won the All Ireland blitz in Portlaoise on
Saturday last capping a great day for Ladies Football in the county. The
team had an early start on Saturday morning
and were quickly out of the blocks with a very impressive win over Wexford in
the first round of the group games. They followed this up with a win over Clare
in the second match. In the third game they got off to a poor start and were
always playing catch up to a very strong Wicklow team and ended up being
beaten. When the group points were tallied up it was found that three teams had
finished on equal points and a free-kick shootout had to take place to see who
would qualify for the final. Waterford duly prevailed and held their nerve to
win the shootout and so qualify for the final against Offaly.
Offaly were to prove
very strong opponents and raced into a seven points lead with only five minutes
remaining but the spirit of this wonderful Waterford under 14 team really shone
through with two goals and a point to tie up the match to leave the teams level
at the end of play. This necessitated yet another dreaded shootout after the
first five kicks the teams were still unable to be separated and so it went to
sudden death. Eventually after many kicks later Waterford got the vital winning
kick to ensure that the trophy was coming South to the Déise. A great day was
had by everybody; the only down side to the day was a serious injury to Gretta
Nugent and all in Waterford Ladies Football wish her a speedy recovery. Thanks
to the wonderful first aid on duty in Portlaoise who looked after her so well.
A special word of thanks is also due to the many parents who travelled up on
the day and gave the team great support.
Well done Waterford
Under 14 Ladies--- The Shootout Queens!!
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