Déise deliver landmark win over Kilkenny
Waterford's Niamh Rockett landed nine points in victory over Kilkenny. Photo: Noel Browne
Nine Niamh Rockett points fired Waterford to a famous win over Kilkenny in their first outing of the All Ireland series on Saturday afternoon.
All Star forwards Rockett and Beth Carton tallied thirteen points between them. Rockett was unerring from placed balls and made four big catches. She sent over six frees, two 45s and one from play. Carton hit four from play and assisted two more. The full back line of Rachael Walsh, Kate Lynch and Alannah McNulty also caught the eye. This was the Déise's first win against the black and amber at senior level since securing promotion in 2015.
Goalkeeper Brianna O'Regan made her first start of 2025 after recovering from a knee injury. Despite playing against the breeze, the visitors led 9-5 at the break. After just 15 seconds, Maggie Gostl put Mairéad O’Brien through on goal. Kilkenny goalkeeper Aoife Norris blocked her bullet shot from point blank range. Annie Fitzgerald and Tiffanie Fitzgerald then received treatment after a heavy collision.
Laura Murphy landed two frees for wind assisted Kilkenny before Niamh Rockett sent Waterford on the attack with a mighty catch from an O’Regan puckout. Lorraine Bray shrugged off two defenders but again Norris rescued the home side with a close range save. Kilkenny counter attacked and Murphy landed her first point from play. Rockett registered the Déise’s first point from a twelfth minute free. Steffi Fitzgerald scored at the second attempt after a block from Alannah McNulty (0-4 to 0-1).
On the quarter hour, Abby Flynn intercepted a Kilkenny clearance and set up another goal chance for Annie Fitzgerald. Norris saved yet again. Beth Carton pointed off the rebound. A Rockett free and a point from Leaving Cert student Eimear O’Neill levelled the match for the first time.
After Fitzgerald hit the post, a Rockett 45 edged the Déise 5-4 ahead. Two more Rockett frees followed. Keeley Corbett Barry then came charging out of defence and supplied a Carton single (0-8 to 0-4). Seven unanswered points from the away side. Murphy converted a Kilkenny free after Corbett Barry was penalised for steps. In injury time, Carton crossed for Rockett in front of goal but the sliotar was scrambled away for a 45. Rockett sent over her sixth placed ball.
Five minutes into the second half, Waterford created their fifth goal chance. Brilliant support play by Carton, O’Brien and Flynn left Fitzgerald with just the goalkeeper to beat. The Gailltir forward fired right and wide. Mary O’Connell reduced the gap to three but Carton won the next puckout and split the posts (0-10 to 0-6). O’Regan batted a point attempt from Laura Greene and a goal attempt from Sarah Barcoe away for two 45s which Murphy popped over.
Fitzgerald steadied the ship with a point. Carton punched the air when her fourth flew over. Carton then suppled her De La Salle team mate Maggie Gostl. Late points from Rockett and Flynn wrapped up a famous Waterford win.
