Waterford Camogie notes
September 01, 2014
Roanmore crowned 2014 Junior Camogie Champions
The first adult championship up for decision this year was played on Saturday last against Roanmore and Ferrybank. Both of these clubs have only entered the Junior championship relatively recently so it was encouraging to see these teams compete for the County title. The two teams knew each other fairly well over recent times as they had faced each other in the league earlier in the year and group phases of the championship. Both teams had played a final against each other when they lined out for the league final and on that occasion Ferrybank were winners having to come from behind and getting their winning scores in injury time.
This match proved to just as tight with both sides leading going into the the last few minutes but it was the Roanmore that were triumphant on this occasion winning the encounter by 5-11 to 5-09. When you see a match that has 30 scores and only two points separating both teams at the end then you know that it was a fairly evenly matched contest.
Ferrybank started the stronger leading by 1-03 to no score after 10 minutes but then Roanmore scored two quick goals to level the match. Roanmore took the lead only for Ferrybank to regain it and the sides went in at halftime at Ferrybank 3-03 to Roanmore's 2-05.
At the start of the second half both teams traded points, Roanmore regained the lead when with their third goal only for Ferrybank to reply with a goal of their own. Midway through the second half Roanmore put a string of four unanswered points on the score sheet to lead by four points. Ferrybank continued to exert pressure on the Roanmore defense and were rewarded with four unanswered points to leave the match level heading into the last five minutes. A third goal by Roanmore's Roisin Heylin put daylight between the teams, Ferrybank replied with a point and then scored their fifth goal to great relief to their supporters. There was one last chance for Roanmore and they worked the ball down the field and Jodie Keane applied the finishing touch to send the ball into the Ferrybank net and win the match.
Both teams are to be congratulated for being part of such an exhilarating camogie match. The Junior cup was presented by Waterford Camogie Association County Secretary Morgan Conroy to Roanmore's captain Valerie O'Brien.
St. Anne's to face Lismore in County Senior Final
On Sunday afternoon in Walsh park St. Anne's faced Gailltir in this year's Senior Championship semi-final and will now face current County and All Ireland Intermediate Club champions Lismore in the final.
Early goals in the Gailltir match proved to be the deciding factor in the semi-final. St, Anne's were 2 goals ahead after 5 minutes. Points from Zoe O'Donoghue, Jennie Simpson and Niamh Rockett saw St. Anne's score a total of 2-05 in the first half while Gailltir had to rely on the hurley of Trish Jackman who converted five frees to keep then in contention.
The start of the second half saw Gailltir begin to eat into the St. Anne's lead and points from Sara Judge and Emma Hannon reduced the deficit. A Karen Kelly free was St.Anne's reply and then Gailltir closed the gap further when Annie Glavey scored followed by two Trish Jackman scores from frees. With only two points separating the two teams as the final five minutes of the match commenced Karen Kelly fired over another free. As the clock ticked down Gailltir were awarded a free on the twenty meter line at an acute angle which the referee moved to a more advantageous spot due to St. Anne's indiscipline which meant that Trish Jackman had a more direct shot on goal. The powerful shot on goal was blocked and cleared down the field for Karen Kelly to slot over. Gailltir could only manage a further Emma Hannon point before the referee blew for full time to end the match on a score of 2-08 to 0-11 in St. Anne's favour.
Intermediate Semi-final
The Intermediate semi-final was played on Sunday between Cappoquin and Portlaw at Bushy Park. The result of the match saw Cappoquin progress to the final and will face An Rinn.
Waterford U14 Panel Win Tipperary Blitz
Waterford U14s travelled with a depleted squad to the annual Tipperary Orla McDonagh Blitz in The Ragg last Saturday. With the All Ireland Blitz upcoming on the 13th September, starting places were up for grabs and the girls that travelled were determined to put their claim forward.
In the Group Stages, Waterford beat Limerick B well and inched past Cork B by three points. This meant topping their group and advancing to a Semi-Final against Meath A who had finished second in their group. In what proved to be a tight and tense encounter, Waterford won by 3 points and advanced to meet Kilkenny B in the final, who had similarly won their group.
In what was certainly a game of two halves, Kilkenny hit 2 goals and a point in an early 5 minute blitz at the start of the first half taking full advantage of the strong wind. Waterford slowly settled and the defence began to get the measure of their opponents, holding them scoreless from there to the break. Orla Fitzgerald and her Mentors made a number of positional switches at half time and then aided with the wind, Waterford totally dominated the second half, scoring 4 goals and 5 points without reply and were convincing winners at the end.
Well done to all the Players on the great performances and commitment shown.The team showed great heart and determination throughout all the games played and they got their just reward for the efforts.
