Roscommon 2-7 Waterford 4-10

However Roscommon took the lead on the 4th minute with a fortuitous goal, when a Waterford back deflected the ball into her own net. Waterford did not score again until the 11th minute when Ruth Kirwan kicked a fine point from 25 metres. Waterford struggled to find any rhythm in the freezing conditions and were made to pay over the next ten minutes with Roscommon slotting over 3 points without reply, to lead by 4 points.

A quickly taken free kick on the 21st minutes to Aileen Wall, saw the young Ballymacabry player slot the ball neatly over the bar for Waterfords 3rd point of the match. Waterford upped the tempo of the game and Louise Ryan, who had replaced Ruth Kirwan on the 18th minute, finished off a fine move with a point.

Waterford took the lead on the 22nd minute when Sinead Ryan scored Waterford’s opening goal after the Roscommon goalkeeper had saved her first attempt. Roscommon drew level a minute later with a point from their busy wing forward Naomhi Ward.

The Waterford management made a tactical switch on 25 minutes with Roisin Tobin replacing Margaret Foley at wing back. Waterford finished the half strongly with points from Michelle McGrath and Michelle Ryan (free) to go into the break 1-6 to 1-4 ahead.

A scrappy opening to the second half saw both sides waste good scoring opportunities, before Louise Ryan got in behind the Roscommon defense on the 38th minute to score Waterford’s second goal. Two minutes later Waterford went 8 points ahead when Elaine Power finished the best move of the game, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net. Waterford stretched their lead to 9 points on the 42nd minute with a point from Michelle Ryan.

Roscommon responded with a goal of their own on the 43th minute when their no 15, Margaret Fannon, fielded a high ball and sent the ball in off the post to the back of the Waterford net. Points from Sinead Ryan and Nora Dunphy re-asserted Waterfords lead with 10 minutes to go. Three points from Roscommon to a converted injury time penalty from Sinead Ryan and an Aisling O’Donnell point saw Waterford win through on a 4-10 to 2-7 score-line.

There is a break next weekend as the Colleges take centre stage with the O’Connor and Lynch Cups. Waterford take on Longford at home in two weeks time

Waterford : A Jordan, A Barron, E Cooney, L Hogan, M Wall, M Foley, Mgt Foley, M McGrath , M Ryan (3,2f), S Ryan (2-1), E Power (1-0), A McGovern, A Wall (0-1), R Kirwan, L Wall, L Ryan (for R Kirwan 18mins), R Tobin (for Mgt Foley 25min), N Dunphy (E Cooney 38 min), N McGrath (for A Barron 50 min) A O’Donnell (for E Power 55 min), E Wilson, C Dunphy, R Walsh, D Hayes, S O’Halloren.

Roscommon: C Manning, S Kenningham, L Sharkey, M Kenningham, L Tully, S Cooney, A Kelly, M Condon (0-1), C Conway(0-2), N Ward (0-1), T Taylor (1-1), E Fanon, A McCormack (0-2,2f), S Ryan, M Fannon (1-0)