Cracking Camogie showdown in store
Of the four Waterford senior club finals in 2025, this could be the pick of the bunch. For the fifth year in a row, the big two in Déise camogie face off.
There has only been a puck of a ball between them in the last four deciders. Two wins for Gailltir and two wins for De La Salle! Add up the scores in those finals and it comes to Gailltir 2-50, De La Salle 3-45. Gailltir by two points!
Twelve months ago, 1-2 in injury time snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Gailltir in a dramatic encounter. A goal from Emma Fitzgerald followed by points from super sub Aoife Fitzgerald and Player of the Match Laoise Forrest. They went on to lose the Munster final after a replay to Truagh Clonlara from Clare in a free taking competition which took place in pitch darkness.
Róisín Hartley's team are down key players from that campaign however. Emma Fitzgerald is gone for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Emily Mahony has also fallen victim to the cruciate curse while Hannah Flynn and Leah Sheridan are ruled out with back issues. Add in towering forward Anne Corcoran who is abroad.
The two number elevens Beth Carton and Laoise Forrest will have a big bearing on the destination of the county cup. The match-ups will be absolutely fascinating. Kate Lynch may shadow county team mate Carton with Clodagh Carroll sweeping in behind. Keeping Carton quiet for the full hour is easier said than done however. The four-time All Star can score heavily but is so unselfish at the same time. She combined effectively with fellow Déise players Keeley Corbett Barry and Abby Flynn against St Anne's in the semi final and ran up a personal tally of 1-9.
Alannah McNulty, who successfully shut down Niamh Rockett two weeks ago, may be tasked with the formidable Forrest. Or will Keeley Corbett Barry move from midfield to defence? Forrest's switch from centre back to centre forward changed the course of last year's decider. She is such a presence under a high ball. With Emma Fitzgerald sidelined, she is also on free taking duty.
Annie Fitzgerald and Molly Comerford provide further headaches for John Mullane and the De La Salle management team. At the opposite end, Maggie Gostl and Abbie Mullane will take watching. Gostl could have Maeve Sheridan for company. The Gailltir defender made a goal saving hook on the Waterford attacker last year. Mullane drifted out as a third midfielder in the semi final.
With a ferocious rivalry brewing between these two and so many quality players on show, this has the makings of another classic. Every ball will be a battle. A De La Salle side with revenge on their minds to regain the title in another puck of a ball county final.
