Waterford Intermediate Ladies football team continued their impressive 100% run in the Tesco Homegrown National League Division 3 with a comprehensive win away to Longford writes Michael Gildea
Playing against the wind in the first half, Waterford set out their stall early on with three unanswered points in the first six minutes, a free from Michelle Ryan and well taken efforts from Hannah Landers and Linda Wall. Michelle Ryan was on the scoresheet again in the 13th minute with another point before adding a goal one minute later to leave Waterford ahead after 15 minutes by 1-4 to 0-0. Margaret Revins extended the lead one minute later with a point before Ann Marie Grattan got Longfordâs opening point on 17 minutes.
Hannah Landers got her second score of the game a point on 20 minutes and was quickly followed up by a Margaret Revins point which could just as easily have ended up in the net .Longford got two points in quick succession to narrow the gap somewhat before Aileen wall kicked a great score in the 24th minute followed by a pile driver from Hannah Landers to the net on 27 minutes to give Waterford a very comfortable 2-8 to 0-3 lead at half time.
Waterford started the second half brightly with a Hannah Landers point and for the next ten minutes or so Longford came back into the game without any scoring reward for their efforts. Resolute defending from the Waterford defenders along with two good saves by Aimee Jordan ensured that the midland girls didnât get a foothold in the game. Waterford then hit a purple patch for the next ten minutes Hannah Landers kicked yet another point in the 9th minute and the Ballyduff girl had a day to remember when four minutes later she finished off a great move with her second goal. Two minutes later she was involved in the action again to lay on a wonderful pass for the in-rushing Aileen Wall and the Ballymac girl needed no second invitation to score Waterfordâs fourth goal in the 15th minute.
One minute later Hannah Landers got yet another point. Straight from the kick out, this was well won by Linda Wall who in turn found her sister Aileen with a pin point pass. Aileen duly dispatched the ball to the net with a sublime chip over the goalkeeperâs head for Waterfordâs fifth goal. Substitute Liz Devine got in on the scoring act one minute later with a point and with eight minutes to go Hannah Landers was taken down in the square and Michelle Ryan scored the resultant penalty. Michelle converted yet another free in the 24th minute and the final score went to midfielder Elaine Power who slotted over a point in the 28th minute to leave the final score Waterford 6-15 to Longfordâs 0-5
This was yet again a very good team performance with some very good football being played. Manager Pat O Brien should be delighted with the performance and he got a good opportunity to see how the other members of the panel performed when introduced in the second half. This was a good result but the last three league games will test the mettle of the team. Next up for the girls will be the long trek to Sligo next weekend followed by a home game with Leitrim before finishing with an away tie to the divisional favourites Armagh.
Waterford lined out as follows: Aimee Jordan, Nora Dunphy, Ciara Dunphy, Mary Foley, Louise Ryan, Karen Mc Grath, RoisÃn Tobin, Michelle Mc Grath, Elaine Power(0-1), Linda Wall (0-2), Michelle Ryan (2-3), Mairead Wall ,Aileen Wall(2-1), Margaret Revins(0-2), Hannah Landers (2-5).
Subs Used : Liz Devine (0-1) for Margaret Revins, Megan O Connor for Ciara Dunphy, Gráinne Costello for Aimee Jordan, Lauren Mc Gregor for Linda Wall, Amy Whelan for Aileen Wall
