O’Regan returns to Déise camogie squad ahead of Tipp clash

Waterford goalkeeper Brianna O’Regan is back in training ahead of this weekend’s Munster semi final against Tipperary.

The De La Salle netminder sat out the entire National League with a knee injury as Noelle Murphy and Katelyn Gardner both made their senior debuts. She has received three All Star nominations.

Club mate Abby Flynn will also be available for selection after recovering from a knock against Kilkenny. 2023 All Star defender Vikki Falconer is due back in training soon and should be in contention for the All Ireland championship.

It has been a turbulent couple of weeks since the Déise beat Tipperary 0-10 to 0-9 in Walsh Park to confirm their Division 1A status. Jerry Wallace stepped down as manager and announced his retirement from coaching. Mick Boland, who served as coach under Wallace for the past two seasons, was announced as his replacement last week on an interim basis. The Limerick native is Waterford’s fifth manager in the space of six years. Boland made it clear in his first interview that the All Ireland series is their main priority.

Who will take the frees under the new bainisteoir? Beth Carton, Eimear O’Neill and Niamh Rockett divided it up between them during the league. Rockett was Waterford’s standout performer in the 1A campaign with 1-20 including 1-5 against Dublin. Ashbourne Cup winner with UL Mairéad O'Brien shot 3-4 from play. The Modeligo goal getter could take off this summer. Carton had a quiet league by her high standards but championship will be a different story.

Minor graduates O’Neill and Maggie Gostl look at home on the senior stage. O’Neill’s three second half points got the Déise over the line in that low scoring encounter with Tipp. Earlier in the campaign, Gostl scored 1-1 against Galway. A defensive spine of Kate Lynch at number three and Keeley Corbett Barry at number six performed strongly last time out and should remain in situ.

Tipperary eased past Limerick 4-13 to 0-10 in Semple Stadium last Sunday. Karen Kennedy netted twice while Roisin Howard and Clodagh McIntyre also raised green flags. Free taker Grace O'Brien accounted for nine points while Kennedy finished the hour with 2-1 from play.

Expect another tasty encounter between these fierce rivals. Waterford have beaten Tipp three times in the past two seasons including that epic Munster semi final twelve months ago in Golden. A rocky build-up in the Déise camp tips the balance towards the Premier County on this occasion.