Munster rivals squabble over semi-final spot
Waterford LGFA will take on Cork in the All Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship on Saturday in Cork. Photo: Eddie Dee.
Waterford and Cork face off for the third time this season but Saturday’s tussle ranks as the biggest one of the lot with an All-Ireland semi-final place on offer to the winner. The Déise haven’t gone that far since 2002.
Cork beat Waterford three years ago at this stage of the championship by the banks of the Lee. Amazingly, Kate McGrath is only one of the Déise starting fifteen who will be involved this weekend. Manager Pat Sullivan has performed a complete rebuild. This year alone, he has suffered one setback after another. He started 2024 without the services of marquee defenders Karen McGrath and Megan Dunford. Bríd McMaugh and Clare Walsh got injured during the Munster championship before Aine O’Neill and Aoife Brazil left for America. O’Neill scored 1-2 against Cork in the league. Captain Kellyann Hogan delayed her trip Stateside for as long as she could but the Ballymacarbry midfielder eventually jetted off last week. She is Waterford’s leading markswoman this year on 2-36.
The head to head between these two Munster rivals in 2024 stands at one all. Waterford enjoyed a comfortable nine point win in the league at Páirc Uí Rinn. Sullivan’s side ran the legs off their opponents and had the game wrapped up by half time. That result pushed Cork towards Division 2. It was a different story when the sides met in Munster two months later at Fraher Field. The home team struggled to break down the red wall and the Rebelettes emerged two point victors.
Waterford’s season spiralled after that defeat. They missed out on a provincial final and lost four games in a row including a sixteen point defeat to Kerry. The 1-10 to 0-7 victory over Donegal in Walsh Park two weeks ago was a tonic. Senior status secured for 2025 and now, they can have another crack at Cork.
Emma Fitzgerald has solved the Déise free taking issues. The Gaultier teenager converted six out of seven against Donegal off her right peg in just her second senior appearance. Mature beyond her years. After conceding four goals to Kerry and Tipperary, a clean sheet came as a welcome development. Niamh Power was in the Player of the Match conversation. Her mighty catch denied Donegal a late goal. With Kellyann Hogan unavailable, Hannah Power will captain the team. A rock at number three. Hannah’s sister Eve netted her first ever Waterford goal last time out. 1-2 from play in two championship outings.
With the camogie team in action at Croke Park on Sunday, it will be a busy 24 hours for dual stars Alannah McNulty, Clodagh Carroll, Mairéad O’Brien and Annie Fitzgerald. O’Brien is an injury doubt however. Like the small ball, she gives Waterford a physical presence up front.
Cork topped Group 3 courtesy of wins over Laois and Galway. Katie Quirke’s return from injury has transformed their season. The Bride Rovers attacker marked her comeback with five points in that Munster win over the Déise. She followed that up with 0-8 against Tipperary, 0-7 against Kerry, 1-3 against Laois and 0-7 against Galway. 1-30 in five games. Teenager Ava McAuliffe has also lit up the championship with 2-3 from play. Dual players Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy should start for Shane Ronayne’s side. Libby Coppinger, another balancing both codes, hasn’t featured so far due to a hamstring injury.
Waterford will travel with confidence. Their pace can hurt Cork, especially if the Murrays hit top gear. No Kellyann Hogan diminishes the Déise’s scoring threat however. Her absence tips the scales in favour of the Leesiders.
