Fine Win For Déise Ladies

Waterford moved a step closer to qualifying for this year’s Division One National Camogie League Semi Finals when they beat a fancied Dublin side with seven points to spare at the WIT Arena on Sunday afternoon last.

They head into the final round of games against Limerick this Sunday locked on seven points with the Shannon-siders where they must win if they are to join Kilkenny in the last four from group two, where as the home side will need only a draw to book that second semi final place by virtue of having a better score difference over Waterford.

For much of the game the home side were the better of the two sides and richly deserved the victory.

Right throughout the field Donal O’Rourke’s side had its heros. In defence the six backs hardly put a foot wrong, and goalkeeper Ciara Jackman was unlucky to see the size four sliotar past her, as she did well to stop Zoe O’Donoghue’s rasper but the power that was behind the shoot took it over the line after coming off the boss of the Gailltir net stoppers stick.

The centre field pairing of Lorraine Bray and Sibheal Harney were magnificent throughout, while in attack Waterford were magnificent with each player contributing handsomely in this win, with some fine scores coming from the likes of Beth Carton, Annie Fitzgerald, Fiona Morrissey and Deirdre Fahey while Niamh Rockett was constantly causing the Dublin backs problems with her powerful runs, and of the players that came in during the game they too impressed.  

Early in this game despite Waterford scoring first it looked as if the visitors would justify why they would be regarded as favourites to win a second game in a row as Zoe O’Donoghue when picked out by Siobhan Kehoe did well to beat Ciara Jackman with a powerful shot.

But Waterford came roaring back with a brace of Beth Carton points with a brilliant effort from Fiona Morrissey in between to level matters.

Dublin went back in front with somewhat a controversial score on thirteen minutes, but another brace of scores from Beth Carton and one from Deirdre Fahey in between had Waterford in front once more.

Points from Siobhan Kehoe and Orla Baegan levelled matters on twenty two minutes, but Waterford finished the half strong with another brace from Beth Carton with Siobhan Kehoe pulling one back in first half added time which sent the sides to the dressing rooms with Waterford 0-9 to 1-5 in front.

Waterford began the second half with a Beth Carton goal on thirty two minutes. She intercepted from a short puck out that went stray and when she was one on one with Síle Ní Coitir she made no mistake.

Within sixty seconds, the visitors won a penalty for a jersey tug but Siobhan Kehoe who was very accurate in her sides win over Meath in the last round saw her effort brilliantly saved by Ciara Jackman.

Dublin did score twice in that third quarter through Zoe O’Donoghue and Orla Baegan but these were their sides last scores of the game.

At the other end of the field Waterford were fruitful with the chances they had as Beth Carton put over another brace of scores, and there was one each from Niamh Rockett, Deirdre Fahey and Annie Fitzgerald in the last five minutes to record an excellent win.  

WATERFORD: Ciara Jackman; Mairead Power, Iona Heffernan, Jenny McCarthy; Aoife Landers, Áine Lyng, Claire Whyte; Lorraine Bray, Sibheal Harney; Niamh Rockett, Deirdre Fahey, Fiona Morrissey; Annie Fitzgerald, Beth Carton, Orla Hickey. SUBS: Marie Russell for Jenny McCarthy (39), Shauna Kiernan for Sibheal Harney (42), Aisling Power for Fiona Morrissey (48), Kate McMahon for Annie Fitzgerald (57), Claire Murphy for Beth Carton (60).

SCORERS: Beth Carton 1-9 (0-6F), Deirdre Fahey 0-2, Fiona Morrissey, Niamh Rockett (F), Annie Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Síle Ní Coitir; Arlene Cushen, Grainne Quinn, Emma O’Byrne; Hannah Hegarty, Aisling Carolan, Martha O’Donoghue; Miriam Twomey, Eimear McCarthy; Doireann Mullany, Alex Griffin, Orla Baegan; Siobhan Kehoe, Zoe O’Donoghue, Grace O’Shea. SUBS: Leah Butler for Martha O’Donoghue (HT), Róisín Baker for Alex Griffin (39),

Scorers: Zoe O’Donoghue 1-1, Orla Baegan (1f), Siobhan Kehoe (3F) 0-3 each.

Referee: Owen Elliott (Antrim).