All Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Final

All Waterford eyes will be firmly fixed on Croke Park again this weekend when the Waterford Kildare rivalry will be renewed, this time it is the turn of the lady footballers in the TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Final as they attempt to emulate their Camogie counterparts in bringing further All Ireland glory back to the Deise. Waterford have qualified for the final by winning the Munster Intermediate championship for an unprecedented seven in a row and then despatching Sligo and Leitrim respectively in the All Ireland series.

This will be a close run affair, Kildare have been regraded from Senior status this season and have impressed in the Leinster campaign winning the title in style and saw off Wexford and Offaly in the All Ireland qualifiers. In the All Ireland semi final Kildare were very impressive scoring five goals against Offaly with sharp shooter Eadaoin Connolly netting a hat-trick for the Lilywhites. Maria Moolick and Ellen Dowling also add considerable skill to the forward line and will keep the Waterford defence busy. In goalkeeper Rebecca Mc Guirk and midfielder Aisling Holton they possess players of a very high standard who are capable of producing match winning performances.

Waterford, too, have many star players all over the pitch. Goalkeeper Katie Hannon is cool under pressure and is known to be able to score a penalty or two if the need arises. The backs have developed into a strong unit and with players of the calibre of Megan Dunford, the Mc Grath sisters Karen and Michelle, Elaine Power, Nora Dunphy and Aoife Landers they have the ability to keep the Kildare forwards quiet. In the middle third of the field the team has many hard-working players including the Wall sisters Linda and Mairead, Louise Ryan and Nicola Fennell. Waterford's attack has been very impressive in the championship to date averaging over 2 goals and 16 points in their six championship matches to date and with forwards of the calibre of Sinead and Michelle Ryan, Shauna Dunphy, Aileen Wall, Hannah Landers, Grainne Kenneally, Maria Delahunty and Mary Foley the Kildare backs could be in for a torrid time on Sunday next.

This Waterford team has a good mix of experience and younger players in the squad. Kate Mc Grath, Mary Kate Morrissey, Emer Scanlon, Ciara Kearney, Caoimhe Mc Grath and the Murray triplets Katie, Emma and Aoife are relative newcomers to the panel, most having made their senior debuts this season but have had much success at provincial and All Ireland level with the county in the under- age grades and will not be found wanting in Croke Park on Sunday.

This a hard game to call but the Waterford team have prepared well under the guidance of Pat Sullivan and his backroom team and will not be found wanting . Support is vital on the day and the Waterford support will play an important part in becoming that "16th player" in helping to push the team over the line and reaching the Holy Grail. Tickets are available from www.tickets.ie and usual GAA outlets, Centra and Supervalu. Go on, take the bus, car or train to Croker and help #Bethe Diff. Be there when Linda Wall lifts the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup on behalf of the Deise girls.

Throw-in, in Croke Park on Sunday next is at 1:45 with Mel Kenny of Mayo in charge of proceedings.

 

Homecoming Meal for the Intermediate team

A post-match meal will be held for the team in Lawlor's Hotel Dungarvan on Sunday night@9:00 pm. The meal will cost €20 and a limited number of tickets are available for anybody wishing to attend. Please contact any member of the County Board executive for tickets.

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