Waterford lady footballers continue their Munster championship in Fraher
Field on Sunday next with the daunting task of facing current All Ireland
champions Cork. This will be Waterford’s second outing in the championship as
they have already defeated Kerry in an epic struggle in Dungarvan two weeks ago
and hope to follow up that win and performance with another over raging hot
favourites Cork.
The two teams last met in the championship in the opening round last
season in Fermoy when Cork were winners on a six points margin 1-10 to 0-7. It
was a gutsy performance by the Déise girls and indeed it could have been so
different on the day if lady luck had shone on the girls when a number of goal
efforts went a begging. Cork will go into the game as overwhelming favourites
and their pedigree speaks for itself. They have won 11 out of the last 12 All
Irelands and are current National League champions. They have a star studded
team with the likes of Martina O Brien in goals, Marie Ambrose, Bríd Stack and
Róisín Phelan in defence and up front Eimear Scally, Orla Finn and Orlagh
Farmer will need close watching.
Waterford will be no push-over their back line ably marshalled by
goalkeeper Katie Hannon, the McGrath sisters Karen and Michelle along with
Mairead Wall, Caoimhe McGrath, Megan Dunford, Deirbhile ní Aodha and Kate McGrath
are hardworking and will be well aware of the dangers Cork will pose. In the
middle of the field the Murray sisters Emma, Katie and Aoife will run
tirelessly as a link between backs and forwards and up front Waterford can call
on the likes of the two goal scorers against Kerry – Michelle Ryan and Róisín
Tobin along with Grainne Kenneally, Aileen Wall, Maria Delahunty and others to
provide the fire power to unlock the Cork defence.
This will be a tough ask of our girls but we have seen All Ireland
champions being beaten in championships before. If Waterford play to their
potential, with home advantage a home win could happen. To find out how it all
unfolds be in Fraher Field on Sunday next June 4th with throw in at 3:00.
Club under 16 championships.
Our under 16 championship was completed with what could only be described
as a festival of football in Ballysaggart on Saturday last. The first two
finals were played earlier in the week and these resulted in wins for St Pat’s
in the D competition and Erin’s Own in the C competition with wins over St
Anne’s and Kilrossanty Brickey Rangers respectively. Saturday we had four
finals down for decision to be played on the newly opened Ballysaggart
pitch. The day started with rain but by the time the A final was
completed the place was bathed in wonderful sunshine. In the first final the D
plate Clashmore got the upper hand on a very young but game St Oliver’s team
who battled hard to the very end the final score being Clashmore 2-10 St
Oliver’s 1-5.In the C plate final Dungarvan overcame Shamrocks on a score line
of 4-7 to 1-3. Two late goals for Dungarvan putting a gloss on the score line
of a match that was well contested and close up to the last few minutes.
In the B final we were treated to a great game of football from two
excellently prepared teams Na Déise and Comeragh Rangers who battled it out to
the very last whistle with some excellent and last ditch defending by Na Déise
ensuring that they kept their noses in front by three points on a final score
line of Na Déise 4-4 Comeragh Rangers 2-7.
The final game of the day, the A final had everything anybody could ask
for in a county final. The quality of football played by the two teams
Ballymacarbry and Gaultier was top drawer. We were treated to a fantastic game
of football which ebbed and flowed. Ballymacarbry gained the initiative in
early in the second half with two goals in quick succession but the Gaultier
girls laid siege to the Ballymac goal for the last 10 minutes trying to carve
open the defence to get the vital scores but it was to no avail and when the
final whistle blew, the girls from the Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry had their
noses in front on a final score line of Ballymacarbry 4-4 Gaultier 3-3
The County Board would like to thank the clubs for their co-operation on
the day in helping with the smooth running of the event. A special word of
thanks must go to the Ballysaggart club who generously provided the use of
their facilities and all the help they gave in stewarding the event, providing
tea and biscuits etc which was greatly appreciated by everybody.
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