Déise Ladies lose to Dublin in All Ireland Quarter Final

Waterford Lady Footballers bowed out of the TG4 All Ireland series at the quarter final stage when they were defeated by Dublin in Nowlan Park on Saturday last. The Dubs who are All Ireland runners up for the last three years and favourites for this year’s title proved too strong for a spirited and heroic Waterford team who never gave up trying right to the end. Waterford were slow to settle and Dublin had three points on the scoreboard in the first eight minutes courtesy of their two main attacking threats, captain Sinéad Aherne and Nicole Owens, who were to ultimately account for all but two points of Dublin’s total.

Waterford opened their account with a point from Aoife Murray in the 12^th minute, this was followed by in quick succession with one from Eimear Fennell and a 15^th minute effort by Katie Murray had the teams all square at three points apiece. In the 17^th minute Michelle Ryan kicked a wonderful point which put Waterford ahead for the first and only time in the game. Dublin upped their efforts and three Sinéad Aherne frees put them two points in front before Noelle Healy’s effort on goal blazed over the bar to leave the sky blue team three in front with 25 minutes played. The pressure on the Waterford defence at this stage was intense and it was no surprise that Dublin goaled one minute later, a Waterford move broke down and four passes later Nicole Owens was on hand to palm the ball to the net past Waterford keeper Katie Hannon. This left Dublin six points to the good and this was stretched with a free by Sinéad Aherne for a very harsh call on Waterford’s corner back Kate Mc Grath in the last minute of the first half.

Points were exchanged in the opening six minutes by Maria Delahunty and Sinéad Aherne. Dublin lost Leah Caffrey to a yellow card in the 7^th minute but this did not deter Dublin in any way. Three unanswered points via the boot of Sinéad Aherne left ten points between the teams, Dublin leading 1-12 to 0-5. Waterford’s uphill struggle became an Everest to climb in the 46^th minute when Gráinne Kenneally received a red card in an off the ball incident but the girls rallied yet again and thirty seconds later Róisín Tobin gave the large Waterford following something to cheer about when she pounced on a poor Dublin kick out to put the ball in the Dublin net. Points from Nicole Owens and Noelle Healy put nine between them with ten minutes left. Dublin killed off the game with a second goal with Carla Rowe setting up Sinéad Aherne for a well taken goal in off the crossbar. True to form however Waterford refused to give up incessant attacking by the girls was met with resolute defence and the only reward was a brace of pointed frees from Maria Delahunty with a point sandwiched between by Dublin’s Nicole Owens to leave Dublin ahead at the final whistle on a score line of Dublin 2-15 Waterford 1-7.

The Waterford team and management were devastated at the final whistle but this team has done themselves and their county proud with their achievements during the season. Their never say die attitude was clear on Saturday and while Dublin won by eleven points, Waterford made it uncomfortable for them for long periods of the game. Waterford kicked eight wides in the first half alone and on another day many would have been converted into scores. There are many positives to take from the game and the season in general. Once again Caoimhe McGrath had an excellent game at full back and the Murray triplets impressed as did Kate McGrath but the overall strength and experience of the Dublin team was just too good for the Déise on the day.

WATERFORD: K Hannon; M Dunford, C McGrath, Kate McGrath; D Ni hAodha, Karen McGrath, A Murray; M Wall, E Murray; R Tobin, G Kenneally, K Murray;  E Fennell, M Delahunty, M Ryan.

Subs: A Wall for Fennell (26), M McGrath for Ni hAodha (26), R Casey for Kate McGrath (41), L McGregor for A Murray (50), G Power for Wall (51).

Scorers for Waterford: R Tobin 1-0, M Delahunty 0-3, K Murray, M Ryan, E Fennell & A Murray 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: C Trant; M Byrne, S Finnegan, R Ruddy; O Carey, N Collins, L Caffrey; L Magee, N McEvoy; C Rowe, L Davey, N Owens; S Aherne, A Kane, N Healy.

Subs: D Murphy for Kane (37), H O’Neill for Davey (42), M Lamb for Healy (50), F Hudson for Collins (52), S Woods for McEvoy (53).

Scorers for Dublin: S Aherne 1-9 (0-6f), N Owens 1-4, N Healy 0-2.