Ultimate test for Waterford Camogie in senior final four
The Camogie Association, in partnership with Glen Dimplex, is proud to launch the 2025 Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship Semi-Finals, which are set to draw a bumper crowd at UPMC Nowlan Park. Pictured at the launch are Cork’s Saoirse McCarthy and Waterford’s Lorraine Bray. Photo: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Taking down reigning All Ireland, National League and Munster champions Cork is an intimidating task for Waterford on Saturday evening.
The ladies in red, unbeaten in championship camogie since June 2023, are going for three O’Duffy Cups in a row. The baggage of the All-Ireland final defeat two years ago makes it all the more daunting for the Déise.
Cork won their four group matches by a total of 90 points! They have only lost one competitive game all season long which was a dead rubber against Galway in the league. They have scored 22 goals across 2025 and only conceded two.
Amy O’Connor, Katrina Mackey and Clodagh Finn have netted thirteen between them. They could form the inside trio on Saturday. Then there’s the speed machine Saoirse McCarthy who is so hard to stop when she gets up a head of steam. The three-time All Star has shot 3-28 thus far. Orlaith Cahalane (3-14) and Emma Murphy (0-16) are also contributing handsomely. Sorcha McCartan is another score getter for Waterford to worry about.
Ger Manley’s team is littered with All Ireland medallists and All Star winners. Ashling Thompson and Hannah Looney provide a steely midfield pairing. They boast four All Stars apiece. 2024 Player of the Year Laura Hayes offers a point scoring threat from wing back. Four-time All Star Laura Treacy occupies the number six shirt. The legendary Mackey twins Katrina and Pamela, who boast seven All Irelands each, are still going strong. Katrina has won eight All Stars in attack while Pamela has won five All Stars in defence!
For battle hardened Waterford players like Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton, Lorraine Bray and Vikki Falconer, opportunities to make another All Ireland final are running out. Top scorer Rockett is in All Star form heading into this one. The Player of the Month for May enjoyed a Player of the Match display against Clare. Waterford’s new free taker scored 1-11 (1-4 from play) to increase her tally to 3-63 this season. The dead ball duties have been a boost rather than a burden.
Falconer only lasted four minutes of the 2023 All Ireland. She was stretchered off with a cruciate knee ligament injury and Amy O’Connor went on to score a hat trick. Back to full fitness and back to her best against Clare, the Tramore defender will fancy another crack at O’Connor.
Needless to say Waterford need Carton and Bray on song. Carton will go up against Laura Treacy in another key duel while Bray will try to crack that formidable Cork pairing at midfield. Annie Fitzgerald and Abby Flynn have stepped up this season in attack. Fitzgerald is currently on 4-12 across league and championship while Flynn is just behind on 3-14. Flynn will test the Cork defence for pace as will Eimear O’Neill.
Who will start at full back for Waterford? Keeley Corbett Barry went back to number three to try and curb the aerial threat of Clare target woman Áine O'Loughlin. The De La Salle defender may be tasked with Katrina Mackey this time around. Orla Hickey or even Lorraine Bray could occupy the six slot. This is a game where the Déise could really do with Clodagh Carroll and Laoise Forrest who both opted out of the senior set-up this year.
Players and management were disappointed with their performance against the Banner. Waterford’s running game didn’t quite click into place. They must be more accurate with their finishing and their passing to cause an upset here.
Mick Boland’s side would rather meet Cork in Nowlan Park than Croke Park. The Kilkenny venue brings back fond memories. They beat Tipperary two years ago and they beat the Cats this year on Noreside.
It’s hard to find a weakness in the red corner. A mean defence, an experienced midfield duo and a free scoring forward line make them the undisputed number one. Since Waterford went back up to senior in 2015, Cork have won 15 of the 16 matches between these two. Sean Power’s team got one over the ladies in red in the 2023 Munster quarter final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Déise will throw everything at this but everything points to a Cork victory.
