Munster Express Online

Waterford 3-11;   Fermanagh 5-8

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Waterford lost their All-Ireland U16B Shield title in Bannagher, Co Offaly on Sunday last, when Fermanagh overturned a 10-point deficit early in the second half to win their first title.

Both sides started the match very tentatively and it wasn’t until the ninth minute that the opening score was registered when Fermanagh scored from a 20m free.

Waterford responded immediately with a Katie Whyte goal and this was followed by two pointed frees from Clodagh Walsh. Waterford went on to dominate the first half and a Walsh penalty on the stroke of half-time saw Waterford enter the interval 2-8 to 2-1 in front.

A goal from Fiona Morrisey in the opening minutes saw Waterford go 10 points up and the match looked as good as over. Waterford and Fermanagh scored two points apiece over the next ten minutes and the intensity had gone out of the game.

The key moment came on 16 minutes when Fermanagh scored 1-1 to narrow the gap to six points. Waterford increased the gap to seven points on 20 minutes, but failed to score for the remainder of the match.

A Fermanagh goal and a point on 24 minutes narrowed the gap to three as the Ulster girls took complete control. Two further points in the 29th and 30th minutes brought Fermanagh to within a point of Waterford as the game entered time added-on.

An injury time goal and an insurance point was enough for Fermanagh to claim a well deserved win after an incredible fightback.

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