Waterford Ladies open with a narrow win

 

Waterford Ladies football team opened their LIDL league campaign with a hard earned one point victory over near neighbours Tipperary in Piltown on Sunday last. This was a new-look Waterford team with a large number of players missing from the All Ireland winning team. On a day when ground conditions were heavy, Tipperary, playing with a strong breeze opened the scoring in 20 seconds when midfielder Sheelagh Carew grabbed the ball from the throw-in and soloed the length of the field to record a fine point. Waterford were three points down after six minutes when Edel Hanley twice punished Deise indiscretions with frees. Waterford’s captain Sinead Ryan opened the Deise account on 8 minutes with a pointed free but this was cancelled out by an Edith Carroll point for Tipperary. Waterford got their second point of the game from Katie Murray, having been played through by Rebecca Casey.

Two good points from play by Tipp half forwards Niamh Lonergan and Eimear Myles stretched the lead to four, before Aileen Wall cut the deficit with a rasper of a shot which hit the cross bar and re-bounded over the bar. Points from Edel Hanley and Mairead Morrissey put the Premier County further in front and the Deise ladies were really rocked on their heels when full forward Lorraine O’Shea struck for the first goal of the game in the 24^th minute to leave the score Tipperary 1-8 Waterford 0-4.Waterford had a mountain to climb at this stage but they showed great heart to claw back that goal with three unanswered points in the last five minutes of the half courtesy of Sinead Ryan, Aileen Wall and Emma Murray. Tipperary had the final say of the half with a 35 yard effort from Edel Hanley to leave the score at the break Tipperary 1-10 Waterford 0-7.

Waterford, with the elements to their backs, opened the second half with intent with four pointed frees in a row from Sinead Ryan, her sister Michelle Ryan got in on the act in the 17^th minute to leave the minimum between the teams. In the 20^th minute Linda Wall levelled matters and Waterford looked well set to push on for victory but Tipp were not to be out-done, a quick passing movement up the field tore the Waterford defence to shreds and Mairead Morrissey needed no second invitation to plant the ball in the net to leave a goal between the sides with 7 minutes remaining. Edel Hanley rubbed salt in the Waterford wounds with a point to extend the lead to five. But Waterford’s determination was to be seen and came to the forefront with a wonderful point from Caoimhe Mc Grath, a free from Sinead Ryan and a long range effort from Michelle Ryan leaving only one between the teams. As the game ticked into injury time Linda Wall kicked the equaliser and her sister Aileen put Waterford ahead for the first time in the game with a pointed effort. Tipperary were not finished yet but the Waterford defence showed great determination and self-control in not conceding a late free. Referee Cathy Forde blew the final whistle and the Deise girls garnered three league points by the slimmest of margins.

Manager Pat Sullivan was delighted with the result and the never say die attitude of the team. He felt that even though they were out played by Tipperary for most of the match they were still able to dig deep and get a result. Tipperary played very well, despite being short of a number of regulars and will no doubt have a big say in the destination of league and championship honours later in the year. Waterford move on to an away tie next weekend against Offaly who were narrowly beaten by Roscommon in their first round match.

Waterford lined out as follows:

Katie Hannon, Rebecca Casey,Mairead Wall, Linda Wall(0-2), Hannah Power, Megan Dunford, Caoimhe Mc Grath(0-1), Liz Devine, Emma Murray(0-1),Katie Murray(0-1) Michelle Ryan(0-2), Grainne Kenneally, Sinead Ryan(0-8), Ciara Hurley, Aileen Wall(0-3).

Subs introduced: Louise Ryan, Nicola Fennell, and Roisin Tobin

 

Other results in Division 3

Roscommon 3-10 Offaly 4-5, Wexford 1-7 Down 0-9, Leitrim v Fermanagh-postponed.