Waterford search for silver lining in league final
Galway's Ciara Hickey and Waterford's Orla Hickey pictured ahead of Sunday's National Camogie Division 1A League final. Photo: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Nearly is nowhere for the Waterford camogie team in 2026. Silverware is all that matters.
In the last five seasons, the Déise have made an All-Ireland final, two All-Ireland semi-finals, two Munster finals and now a league final. A major force but with no major trophy to show for it. Sunday is the opportunity to change all that.
Mick Boland’s side went after this competition from the word go. Four straight wins sent them through to a first-ever Division 1A decider with a game to spare. A Walsh Park win against Cork set the tone. A first victory for this group of players over Galway at a rain-lashed Athenry followed two weeks later. A hard-fought result that will give them belief on the road to Nowlan Park this weekend.
Beth Carton, Lorraine Bray and Niamh Rockett have turned Waterford into contenders over the past decade. The All-Star trio continue to drive standards. They have accounted for 73 per cent of the Déise’s scores in this year’s league! Carton seems rejuvenated since Rockett relieved her of the dead-ball duties last year. The five-time All Star has scored 2-16 to date, including seven points from play against Cork. The change of free taker has also benefited Rockett. She is Waterford’s top scorer with 1-20 and netted that audacious goal off her knees in that win over the Rebelettes. Captain Bray continues to duck and dive at midfield. She has helped herself to 1-5 so far. Midfield partner Eimear O’Neill is another livewire who runs at opposition defences from first minute to last.
The Waterford squad looks stronger than twelve months ago, with Clodagh Carroll and Laoise Forrest back on board. Carroll has settled in at number three. Whether Forrest lines out in defence or attack remains to be seen. Her ability to win a high ball could be potent close to goal. The return of Roisin Kirwan and Sarah Lacey has expanded the Déise’s attacking options.
Abby Flynn went off with a hamstring injury in the first half against Galway and missed the last three rounds. The De La Salle attacker has recently returned to training, however, and may feature on the matchday squad. Annie Fitzgerald returned from her travels midway through the campaign. The Gailltir score getter, supplier of 4-12 in 2025, offers Boland another attacking weapon.
Galway shattered Cork's dreams of three All-Irelands in a row last August. In a bruising affair, Carrie Dolan nailed a pressure free to get the Tribeswomen over the line. A third O’Duffy Cup for manager Cathal Murray and the sweetest as they felt written off in the build-up. The diminutive and devastating Aoife Donohue was crowned Player of the Year for the second time in her illustrious career. One of the all-time greats.
Murray’s charges suffered an All-Ireland hangover at the start of the league as Kilkenny and Waterford inflicted back-to-back home defeats. They landed back from their team holiday in New York just two days before that clash with the Déise. Snowstorms in the States delayed their flight home.
In round three, Galway trailed Tipperary by five points in The Ragg, and a relegation battle beckoned. Aoife Donohue's point attempt then dropped into the corner of the net. A fortuitous goal that turned the game in their favour. Late points from Carrie Dolan and Aoibheann Barry saw them pip Antrim 1-13 to 1-11. They defeated Cork by six points in the final round in what Murray described as their best performance of the year.
2025 All-Star Niamh Mallon is a lethal inside forward, while All-Ireland matchwinner Carrie Dolan is the deadliest free taker in the game. The Galway skipper has 1-24 to her credit in 2026. Ailish O’Reilly is yet to feature this season. All-Ireland club winners with Athenry Sabina and Olwen Rabbitte are out due to injury.
Keep an eye on the match-ups. In the group game, Galway midfielder Jennifer Hughes was tasked with tracking Beth Carton. All-Star defender Dervla Higgins may follow All-Star forward Niamh Rockett. At the other end, Rachael Walsh may pick up Aoife Donohue just as she did in Athenry. All-Star centre back for the Tribeswomen, Ciara Hickey, tends to sit deep. If left unmarked, she will sweep up loose ball all day long.
It promises to be a tight, tense and tactical encounter in the Marble City. Galway are a battle-hardened outfit, but the time has come for this Waterford team to lift a major trophy. A league title is the next step on the ladder. In a fiercely contested final that will go down to the wire, a highly motivated Déise side can squeeze past the All-Ireland champions for the second time this season.
