A Week To Remember For Ladies Football In Waterford

Waterford and Kildare Ladies renew old rivalries at under 16 level when they contest this year’s All Ireland final tonight (Wednesday) in Callan Co Kilkenny. This promises to be an intriguing and closely fought encounter between two very even teams, who will give it their all to bring the coveted trophy home. Both teams having won their respective provincial finals, qualified for the final the hard way overcoming large deficits when all seemed lost in their semi-finals. In the semis Waterford defeated Monaghan by a single point 1-15 to 3-8 coming back from being eight points down after only 20 minutes. Kildare did something similar, overturning a Roscommon lead of five points with 8 minutes to go to win by two points on a score line of Kildare 3-8 Roscommon 1-12.

Both teams are very strong in all areas of the field and pride themselves on their team work. For Kildare Orlaith Sullivan is a forward of note, scoring a grand total of 3-4 in their semi-final including 2-2 in their last gasp comeback and she needs to be watched carefully. Ciara Price is another good forward and Claire Nugent at full back and Mia Doherty in the corner they have two resolute defenders. Sally Murphy came on as a sub in the semi final and really took over at midfield to turn the tide in the Lilywhites favour.

Waterford have a very experienced team and are strong all over the field. There are eleven clubs represented on the panel from Ballyduff Upper all the way down to Gaultier in the East. Rosie Landers is an excellent goalkeeper and is going for her second All Ireland under 16 medal having been on the team that won two years ago. The full backs are strong and resolute with great players like Roisin Dunphy, Leah Sheridan, Carly Dunford, Kirsty Green, Ellen Kirwan and Claragh Mc Cann all in the running for selection. In the half line Tao Behan, Cora Murray and Mary Kate Curran who along with goalie Rosie, Keeley Corbett Barry and Annie Fitzgerald are seeking their second medal at this grade provide a formidable barrier and will not be easily beaten.

In mid-field Kelly Anne Hogan and Keeley Corbett Barry are very hard working and are great to set up attack after attack and provide plenty of possession for a forward line who know how to score. In the forward line there are many dangerous players with an eye for goal.Briannagh Nic Craith makes a welcome return after illness, captain Annie Fitzgerald leads the attack from centre forward, ably aided by her club mates Clodagh Carroll, Jodie Tuohy and Emma Flynn. Aoife Brazil was one of the many heroes from the semi final contributing that all important goal and alongside her in the full forward line you have players of the calibre of Sarah Lacey, Annie Fitzgerald and Sheenagh Mc Guckian who are capable of ripping any defence to shreds. This is a very strong team and manager Johnny Troy is also sure in the knowledge that players like Megan Foran, Caoimhe Ahearn, Caoimhe Hassett, Saoirse Hennebry, Emma Power, Emma Stubbs, Meadhbh Kiernan, Aoife Kennedy and Shiona Dunphy will not be found wanting when they are called upon to play their part.

It promises to be an epic encounter, management team of Johnny Troy, Paul Fitzgerald, Kevin Barry, Fionnuala Flynn, Gráinne Costello, Hannah Flynn and Bríd Dunphy have this team prepared to the very best for the last few months. It will be close but if Waterford play the football that they are capable of doing, Johnny Troy and his team will be bringing the under 16 All Ireland title back to Waterford for the second time in three years. Best of luck to all concerned.

Throw in, in Callan GAA grounds Co. Kilkenny on Wednesday 26^th is at 7p.m with Eamonn Moran in charge of the whistle.  

Waterford Ladies edge out Cavan in a thriller

Waterford Lady Footballers continued their fine run of form when they clinched an Ireland quarter final place at the expense of Cavan in a game that was thrilling from first throw-in until the final whistle. Played in very good conditions on a well-appointed pitch in Clane Co Kildare, Waterford set about their task right from the throw-in and a brilliant movement, led to an excellent shot from midfielder Emma Murray which resulted in the Cavan goalkeeper Elaine Walsh making a great save. Following this let off it was Cavan who registered the game’s first two scores, captain Sinéad Greene carrying the ball from well inside her own half to open the scoring, before Claragh O’Reilly popped over a sixth-minute score from 25 metres. Waterford hit back in reply to those early Cavan points, with three in two minutes — Eimear Fennell, Michelle Ryan and Maria Delahunty on target to leave the Déise girls a point ahead.

 In the 10^th minute a speculative high ball caused panic in the Waterford goalmouth, Waterford keeper Katie Hannon was forced to concede a penalty for which she was duly yellow-carded. The resultant penalty was duly despatched to the net by Cavan’s centre forward Aisling Doonan who gave Waterford’s replacement keeper Jessica Fitzgerald no chance. Cavan’s Donna English won a Waterford kick-out to put her side 1-3 to 0-3 clear after 15 minutes but the Breffni girls were having difficulties on their own kick outs. Waterford forwards put the pressure on the kick outs and were rewarded with three good points in quick succession, Aoife Murray in the 17^th minute a wonderful effort from over 40 metres from Maria Delahunty in the 19^th minute and a wonder score from Eimear Fennell a minute later left the Déise girls back on level terms with 20 minutes gone.

There then followed a lengthy stoppage for treatment to Waterford’s experienced forward Gráinne Kenneally, now playing her club football with Eadestown in County Kildare which necessitated in 10 additional minutes were being played at the end of the first half. Donna English restored Cavan’s lead with a good point but this was replied to by a Maria Delahunty pointed free to level matters. Katie Murray and Aisling Sheridan traded points before Emma Murray had the final say with a point to leave Waterford ahead at half time by the bare minimum Waterford 0-9 Cavan 1-5

Neasa Byrd opened the scoring in the 1^st minute of the second half to level things once again, but Waterford hit back with a 45m free for Maria Delahunty and two points from play for Michelle Ryan. Sharpshooter Aisling Doonan narrowed the gap to two points with a point from play in the 8^th minute and back to the bare minimum once again with a free one minute later. Great defensive work from Waterford kept the Cavan forwards out until the 15^th minute when Caitriona Smith split the uprights with a fine point to leave the teams all square again. Waterford edged back in front with an Aoife Murray point, followed by a Maria Delahunty free in the 16^th minute.Aisling Doonan added a point for Cavan in the 18^th minute to which Michelle Ryan replied with her fifth of the day with eight minutes to go. Aisling Doonan narrowed the gap once again to the minimum in the 23^rd minute of the half and substitute Andrea O Reilly levelled matters with a wonderful point in the 25^th minute Waterford 0-15 Cavan 1-12.It was now nip and tuck with no quarter given or asked both teams drove forward to try and snatch a dramatic winner. It looked like extra time was looming but Aisling Doonan pointed a free to put Cavan one in front with three minutes remaining. Doonan had another free from 40 metres which was expertly plucked out of the sky by Caoimhe McGrath. The ball was moved upfield at speed in an effort to keep Waterford’s season alive. They got their chance, a 50/50 ball was won by Lauren McGregor in the corner, transferred the ball across to Aileen Wall who squeezed the ball almost slow motion style into the back of the net with 30 seconds to go to give Waterford the lead by two, with time up. There was no time for Cavan to mount a meaningful attack and Waterford ran out deserving winners of a pulsating match on a final score line of Waterford 1-15 Cavan 1-13.

This was not a game for the faint hearted. It was played at a frenetic pace by two teams determined to advance to the quarter finals. Both teams had many stand out players. For Waterford, Michelle Ryan with four points from play, Caoimhe Mc Grath and Kate Mc Grath excelled throughout. In Aisling Doonan Cavan had a scoring machine, she accounted for a personal tally of 1-5 and midfielder Donna English and half back Sinead Green stood out. Waterford played excellently as a team and kept going until the final whistle, determined not to let the Munster final result repeat itself. Waterford now go forward to meet Dublin who are raging hot favourites based on the way they won the Leinster final by 19 points, but this Waterford team has gelled into a resilient group, who are not afraid to give it everything for the Deise. They now have had three very good wins in championship and will be well up for the Dublin challenge in two weeks time. This game will be played as part of a double header with Kerry v Armagh on Saturday 12^th August at a venue to be confirmed with a 4:45 throw in.

Waterford lined out as follows--- Katie Hannon, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe McGrath, Kate McGrath, Dearbhaile Ní Aodha, Karen McGrath, Aoife Murray(0-2), Mairéad Wall, Emma Murray(0-1), Róisín Tobin, Gráinne Kenneally, Katie Murray(0-1),Eimear Fennell(0-2),Maria Delahunty(0-5) and Michelle Ryan(0-4)

Subs used--- Jessica Fitzgerald, Aileen Wall (1-0), Rebecca Casey, and Lauren McGregor.