‘Silverware is why we’re all still here’ – Lorraine Bray

Whichever of Waterford and Tipperary climbs the steps to collect the Morrissey Cup this Saturday, it’ll be a step into somewhat unfamiliar waters for both.

The Premier have conquered Munster on four occasions, most recently in 2023, but senior silverware continues to elude the Déise - despite all their knocking on the door.

The 2023 All-Ireland Final, the 2024 Munster Final, the 2025 provincial final that never was and the 2026 National League Final have all eluded Waterford, but Saturday’s trip to Semple Stadium is an opportunity to blow the door down at long last.

No more knocking, gentle or forceful - Waterford can finally take their thoroughly deserved seat at camogie’s top table.

Captain Lorraine Bray has soldiered with Waterford long before adulthood, going into her 14th season with the Déise before she’s even hit the 30 mark. A three-time All-Star, the Cappoquin midfielder has been a hallmark of consistency. That said, she would swap every individual plaudit and memory for a medal.

“It’s unreal to be in a final again, but you want to be coming out the right side of it”, Bray told the Waterford News & Star. “In the league final, we were so disappointed coming away from it because we felt it was in our grasp. We want to seize the opportunity now. It’s great to get there, but we have to be coming out of there with a win.” 

There are similarities between Waterford and Tipperary, as recent seasons have seen both compete without yielding the coveted cigar. Bray is more than aware of what victory could serve as a catalyst for the victors.

“We’re definitely on par, both teams”, she admits. “You can see that in the games we’ve played against each other in recent years. I think closing out games is something that we’ve struggled with lately - but the margins are closing, the differences are smaller and smaller. To get that one win in a final, it would be massive for us. Let’s see what the day brings but we’ll do everything in our power to get over that line.” 

The prospect of playing a provincial decider in Thurles is one Bray and her teammates relish, something she describes as “exactly where you want to be”. In the wake of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork, Déise boss Mick Boland said more depth would be required to bridge the gap from competing to collecting titles. Is that depth starting to develop?

“It’s been great this year. We’ve got new girls who have fitted straight in like a puzzle piece, and anything that’s been asked of them - they’ve done it. Then you have people coming back to the panel who know exactly what’s expected of them. That mix of youth and experience is brilliant. They’ve made the difference in the league games, and we wouldn’t have got over the line in the Clare game only for the players who came off the bench.” 

When you think of Waterford Camogie, you think of Lorraine Bray, Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Vikki Falconer, Brianna O’Regan, and Keeley Corbett Barry. They’re not old by any means, but they know their chances of winning a Munster or All-Ireland title must be taken sooner rather than later.

“Definitely”, admits Bray. “It’s the main reason we’re all doing it. We’re not doing it for the individual awards; we’re all there for the same reason. We’re a united front, we’ve developed such a bond with each other, and we’ve worked so hard for years, week in week out, for one reason - that’s to bring silverware back to Waterford. It would be such a boost to the county and camogie in general. It is something that has crept into the back of our minds, and you get wary of it the more you come toward the end of your days! You’re not going to be playing all your life, so when chances like these come around, you have to take them.” 

With the All-Ireland series on the horizon afterwards, Waterford would much rather be going in with the moniker of Munster champions than to be considered bridesmaids once more. Easier said than done, but someday will be their day - and Saturday looks as good a time as any for the red letter day to finally arrive.