“We want the home crowd behind us”
Waterford manager Pat Sullivan will be hoping for a massive improvement from his team when they welcome Donegal to Walsh Park next weekend. Photo: Sportsfile.
Ladies football manager Pat Sullivan is calling on Waterford fans to turn up in force for Sunday’s must-win game with Donegal in Walsh Park. A place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals is at stake.
“It’s a massive game for us and we want the home crowd behind us. When you’re going down the home straight, you get a turnover, you get a score, they’re the sixteenth player. The players have put in a massive effort all year. They give the same commitment as any other county team. We need that support to help us.” This will be the Déise’s first outing at the Keane’s Road ground since 2003. 21 years ago, Waterford defeated Kerry 2-17 to 2-8 in the Munster championship. A star studded home side featured Annalisa Crotty, Elaine Power, Julie Ann Torpey, Mary O’Donnell, Linda Wall, Martina O’Ryan, Rebecca Hallahan and Áine Wall.
The class of 2024 endured a long afternoon in Killarney last Saturday as they felt the full force of a Kerry backlash. 4-13 to 0-9 is how it finished. Their heaviest defeat of the season. Against the wind, Waterford trailed by thirteen points at the break. Sullivan’s charges struggled on their own kickout. They lost thirteen in the opening half alone.
The second period was a much more competitive affair. Mairéad O’Brien acted as a target woman up top. She got two points and nearly fisted the ball to the net. Eve Power made a strong impression on her introduction. The St Pats defender is not noted for her scoring ability but she struck two superb points off her right boot. She will surely start on Sunday.
Waterford have only managed one goal in their last five competitive fixtures and average eleven points per game. At the other end, they have only kept one clean sheet all season and have conceded 21 goals. Worrying figures.
Their task will prove all the more difficult with captain Kellyann Hogan set to leave for America this week. The Ballymacarbry midfielder kicked three points from play last weekend. Who will take the frees in her absence?
Furthermore, dual stars Alannah McNulty, Clodagh Carroll, Annie Fitzgerald and Mairéad O'Brien will all travel to Antrim on Saturday with the Déise camogie team. Sullivan will be hoping that they can take care of business early and rest up for the following day. Waterford will again look to the Murrays to drive them up and down the field. Emma never stopped running in Killarney despite the large gap on the scoreboard.
Donegal caused a surprise in round one by drawing with Kerry at a wet and windy Ballybofey. New manager John McNulty started 2024 minus marquee names Karen Guthrie, Yvonne Bonner and Geraldine McLaughlin. They didn’t earn promotion from Division 2 but brought Armagh to extra time in the Ulster final. Danger woman Susanne White kicked eight points in that narrow defeat to the Orchard County and finished as top scorer in Division 2. She will be a handful for Hannah Power. A massive defensive effort earned them a share of the spoils with the Kingdom.
A draw will do for Donegal. A low scoring encounter will suit the home team. Keep a clean sheet and Waterford can mark this rare visit to Walsh Park with a victory.
