Michael Gildea was present to watch Waterford make it 3 wins
from 3 against neighbours Tipperary
In a game which ebbed and flowed throughout, Waterford got
the better of a determined Tipperary team in a thrilling encounter in Fraher
Field on Sunday to record their third consecutive win in the league and
consolidate their place at the top of the table. Games between the Deise and
the Premier have been extremely close in the recent past and this was no
exception with both teams serving up a feast of football. Tipperary opened
brightly and got off to a tonic of a start when Lorraine O Shea capitalised on
some hesitancy in the Waterford defence to get the gameâs opening score a goal
after only 90 seconds of play.
Waterford gradually settled down and began to play a patient
game of possession football and were rewarded when Michelle Mc Grath opened
their account in the 9th minute. Hard working Mairead Wall tacked on another
point for the Waterford girls one minute later before Kirsty Downey stretched
Tippâs lead with a well taken point on 13 minutes. Hannah Landers put Waterford
in front in the 14th minute with a well taken goal, only for Claire Carroll to
level matters for the Tipperary side a minute later with the first of her three
points.
Linda Wall scored a wonderful point in the 21st minute and
Michelle Ryan opened her account with a point a minute later to leave Waterford
two points ahead. Tipperary finished the first half the stronger with three
unanswered points from Gillian O Brien, Mairead Morrissey and Claire Carroll to
leave Tipperary ahead by the minimum of margins at half time Tipperary 1-5
Waterford 1-4
Like the start of the first half, Lorraine O Shea got the
opening score a point for Tipperary in the first minute to leave their
advantage to two points. Waterford were playing some great football, with neat
passing but their efforts were not being rewarded on the score board. It took
the Deise girls all of 10 minutes to register their first score of the second
half a point from Linda Wall who started and finished a wonderful move with a
well taken score.
Michelle Ryan levelled matters with a glorious point in the
11th minute and Waterford should have gone ahead but were guilty of three
glaring misses in the next couple of minutes. Mairead Morrissey put the Premier
County back in front with two well taken points in the 13th and 14th minutes
respectively. Tipperary tried hard to press home their advantage but resolute
defending from the Waterford girls kept them at bay.
In the 18th minute Linda Wall lifted the siege with a point
to bring the deficit back to the bare minimum once again. Linda was also
instrumental in Waterfordâs next score when having being fouled had the
presence of mind to notice that Hannah Landers was free and found her with a
quickly taken free and the Ballyduff girl rifled an unstoppable shot to the
back of the net for her second goal of the day to give Waterford the lead by
two points with 11 minutes remaining.
Tipp hit back and Claire Carroll struck once again from
midfield with a wonderful point to leave one between the sides. In the 22nd
minute a high ball into the Waterford defence caused consternation and a mix up
left the Tipperary corner forward through on goal but she was denied by a
wonderful double save by Waterford custodian Aimee Jordan and the resulting 45
was cleared by a resolute Waterford defence.
Waterford lifted the siege and captain Michelle Mc Grath led
by example broke up field to score a priceless point. Mairead Morrissey kicked
her fourth point for Tipperary in the 26th minute and Tipp pressed on in search
of an equaliser. Waterford, at this stage had been reduced to 14 players for
the second time in the game, hung on and excellent defending and possession
work brought them over the line as one point winners when referee Mags Doherty
blew the final whistle.
This was with out doubt a great game of football between two
well drilled teams who were prepared to give their all. Both teams played with
heart and determination and will have a big say in the outcome of the National
league honours. The teams are destined to meet again in the Munster
Intermediate championship on the 2nd July and if that game is half as good as
this one we are in for a cracker. Waterfordâs next game is an away clash with
Longford on March 2nd
Waterford lined out
as follows: Aimee Jordan, Nora Dunphy, Ciara Dunphy, Mary Foley, Louise
Ryan, Karen Mc Grath, RoisÃn Tobin, Michelle Mc Grath (0-2), Elaine Power,
Linda Wall (0-3), Michelle Ryan (0-2), Mairead Wall (0-1), Aileen Wall,
Margaret Revins, Hannah Landers (2-0).
Subs used: Shauna Dunphy for Margaret Revins, Liz Devine
for Louise Ryan.
