Waterford Ladies Make it 7 in a Row

Seven in a Row for Waterford Intermediate Ladies

Waterford Ladies football team made it seven Munster Intermediate titles in a row when they saw off a dogged Clare challenge by four points in the wind-swept Mallow GAA complex on Saturday last. Playing into a strong wind in the first half Waterford got off to an excellent start when Maria Delahunty got the first score of the game after 50 seconds with a well taken free.

 

Delahunty doubled the Waterford lead when she repeated the action a minute later. Clare opened their account in the 4^th minute when corner forward Grainne Nolan got a good point from 30 metres. Indeed Nolan could have given Clare the lead immediately afterwards but her shot for goal narrowly fizzed wide. Róisín Howley levelled matters with her first score of the day, a point in the 6^th minute, before Sinead Ryan gave the Deise a lead in the 10^th with a free. Hannah Landers stretched Waterford’s lead to three points with two well taken efforts in the 13^th and 15^th minutes respectively. Grainne Nolan got her second point for Clare on 16 minutes before Ailish Considine levelled matters with two frees in the 18^th and 20^th minutes. Mary Foley put Waterford back in front in the 21^st minute when she was on hand to take a pass from team captain Linda Wall and fire it over the bar. Maria Delahunty was on hand to strike a sweet point in the 26^th minute but Clare’s Ailish Considine replied with two points of her own just before the break to leave it all-square at half time Clare 0-7 Waterford 0-7.

Waterford started the second half with intent and Maria Delahunty had the opening score from a free in the second minute. In the 4^th minute Aileen Wall started an attack out around midfield and was there to apply the finishing touches with a well taken point. Sinead Ryan tacked on a point in the 5^th minute and Maria Delahunty stretched the lead to four points with a free on nine minutes. Sinead Ryan tapped over her third point in the 13^th minute to leave Waterford well in control and leading by five on the score-line Waterford 0-12 Clare 0-5. The Deise girls were rocked on their heels in the 15^th minute when a rocket from Roisin Howley hit the back of the Waterford net to narrow the margin to two points. Waterford responded in style to this set back, Grainne Kenneally was on the end of a brilliant through ball from Sinead Ryan and the Ballyduff forward made no mistake despite the best efforts of Emma O Driscoll.

In the 21^st minute the game took yet another twist when Clare were awarded a penalty. The spot kick by Roisin Howley was well saved by the Waterford custodian but the Clare forward was first to react to the ball and made no mistake at the second time of asking. Maria Delahunty settled the nerves with a pointed free in the 23^rd minute and Sinead Ryan tacked on the insurance point after a pin-point pass from Aoife Murray. Clare still kept pressing and only for a marvellous interception by Megan Dunford kept the Clare forwards from registering their third goal. Referee Jason Creed blew the final whistle and there were great scenes of joy when Michael Ryan, Munster PRO, presented the Enda Mc Donnell Cup to fellow Ballymacarbry club member and Waterford captain, Linda Wall. Linda’s day was rounded off in style when she also picked up the award for Player of the final award.

Waterford now progress to the All Ireland quarter final on August 15^th when they play against either: Tipperary, Roscommon or Sligo.

Waterford lined out as follows Katie Hannon, Megan Dunford, Karen Mc Grath, Linda Wall (Capt.),Emma Murray, Elaine Power, Michelle Mc Grath, Louise Ryan, Mairead Wall, Hannah Landers(0-2), Maria Delahunty(0-5), Aileen Wall(0-1), Grainne Kenneally(1-0), Sinead Ryan(0-5), and Mary Foley(0-1).

Subs used: Shauna Dunphy, Aoife Murray, Nora Dunphy, Michelle Ryan,

 

Under 16 face KIldare in All Ireland semi final

Our under 16 team make the trek to Freshford Co. Kilkenny on Wednesday night (July 15^th ) to take on Leinster champions Kildare in what promises to be a thrilling game of football. Waterford by virtue of wins earlier in the season over Limerick and Clare qualified for a Munster final against near neighbours Tipperary. In that Munster final Waterford narrowly came out on top by five points. The team under the management of Johnny Troy, Ger Curran, Margaret Foley and Fionnuala Flynn have prepared well for the game and are ready for the Kildare challenge. It will be a tough encounter as Kildare were very impressive in their Leinster campaign with a comprehensive win over Laois in the final. Our girls play an exciting brand of football, are well organised at the back and have forwards who are well able to take a score. It will be close but if the Waterford girls play to their potential, captain Chloe Fennell will be leading her team into an All Ireland final against either Roscommon or Cavan. Throw in, in Freshford is at 7:00 with Jonathan Murphy in charge of proceedings.