Waterford Camogie can jump Galway hurdle
Galway's Aine Keane and Waterford's Aoife Landers pictured ahead of their All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship quarterfinal at Croke Park tomorrow (Sunday). Photo: INPHO/James Crombie.
336 days on from the 19-point All Ireland final loss to Cork, Waterford return to Croke Park. The field of dreams that became the field of nightmares.
“They’re back where they want to be,” says manager Jerry Wallace. “It’s a place that gave them an awful haunting experience last year but I think they’re ready for it.” Sunday’s opponents Galway bring back more grim memories. Waterford haven’t got the measure of the maroon women since they captured the 2015 All Ireland intermediate title. “The time has arrived for Waterford to take down one of the top three,” Wallace reckons.
The 0-13 to 0-12 loss in Loughrea during this year’s league was a gut wrencher. Two booming Brianna O’Regan frees edged Waterford a point up entering injury time but late scores from Carrie Dolan and Ailish O’Reilly saw the Tribeswomen prevail.
The knockout stages only start this weekend but surely another All Star is on the way to Waterford wonder woman Beth Carton. She has scored 3-66 across her last seven outings. That includes double figure tallies against Tipperary, Cork, Antrim and Derry. Her skill level was outrageous at a wet Walsh Park last Saturday.
She accepted the Player of the Month award for May recently but those gongs never go to her head. The 2023 Player of the Year stayed signing autographs for kids in the rain long after the full time whistle went against Derry. Galway will hatch a plan to stop her but executing it is a different matter altogether.
Fourteen Déise players have raised a flag in this year’s championship. Their second highest scorer is Mairéad O’Brien on six goals and two points. All from play. The Modeligo forward didn’t tog out for the Derry game however and is a doubt for Sunday with a knee issue.
On the plus side, Abby Flynn is flying after her return from injury with 2-2 in two matches. She could have netted a first half hat trick last weekend. Sarah Lacey’s impressive form off the bench earned her a start against the Oak Leaf County and two points from play puts her in the shake-up for this Croker clash. Annie Fitzgerald and Maggie Gostl may be held in reserve but what options to have. Two more goal getters.
Lorraine Bray will lead the team out on Sunday. Wallace rested her for the last two rounds after she picked up a knock during the draw with Kilkenny. Vikki Falconer wasn’t risked against Derry either. Even with only 30 championship minutes under her belt, she will fancy a shot at one of Galway’s top forwards. Brianna O’Regan will also prove hard to beat. She already boasts penalty saves against Clare, Limerick and Derry.
Galway went down to Tipperary in the league final by a point at Croke Park but recovered to secure second place in Group 2 of the championship. They defeated Dublin, Down and Clare and drew with Wexford. Their only loss came in last Saturday’s top of the table clash with Cork.
The defending All Ireland champions ran out comprehensive 2-16 to 1-7 winners. The Tribeswomen lost defender Ann Marie Starr to a serious leg injury at the very end of that game.
Manager Cathal Murray added Down great Niamh Mallon to his panel for the league final. She transferred to 2022 All Ireland club champions Sarsfields. Her impact was immediate as she shot three points off the bench against Tipp. In the All Ireland series, Mallon was named Player of the Match away to Clare after striking 2-4. It may be a task for Déise full back Clodagh Carroll.
Ailish O’Reilly is another fan of a green flag while Carrie Dolan can punish any opposition from frees. Four-time All Star Aoife Donohue didn’t feature in the last three group games due to injury. Wallace will be looking out for her when Galway take the field.
The star quality, the strength in depth and the spread of scores mean that the time is now for this collection of Waterford players. They can take a Croke Park scalp on Sunday.
