Munster Express Online

Waterford 1-7; Clare 1-9

Waterford County minor camogie team made their 2009 debut on Saturday last in Kilgobinet when they took on last year’s All-Ireland Under 18A finalists Clare in the Munster Championship preliminary round.

Clare were the favourites coming into this game, so Waterford were all out to prove that they were deserved All-Ireland B finalists in 2008. Indeed this was a tough encounter from the very first puck of the ball, with Waterford’s Patricia Jackman putting her side on the score board in the first minute with a well-taken free.

This gave the Deise girls great confidence and they kept the pressure on the Clare side. Shonagh Enright scored the visitors’ first point from a free in the third minute, shortly followed by a scuffle at the Waterford goalmouth which resulted in a goal from Chloe Morey.

Waterford did not lie down, though, and replied by a nice point from Caithriona McGlone followed by another point from a free from Patricia Jackman.

At this stage there was only the minimum between the two teams. For the next 10 minutes Clare scored four points without reply, then Waterford’s Patricia Jackman scored the next two points before Clare’s Shonagh Enright ended the half with a point from play. Half-time score: Waterford 0-5 Clare 1-6.

The second period began with the Waterford playing with great determination. Patricia Jackman again scored the first two points of the half. Clare didn’t score until ten minutes in, with Shonagh Enright registering two points, one from a free.

The Waterford backline and goal keeper Tracey Kiely were under pressure and Clare were five points ahead going into injury time before Patricia Jackman won the ball on the half-forward line and struck the back of the Clare net with a fine goal.

Unfortunately the final whistle sounded as Waterford strived for a match-snatching goal. Still, this was a great run out for Waterford prior to the All-Ireland Championship which begins in June.

Waterford panel: T.Kiely, L.Behan, J. Forbes, C. Fitzgerald,. J.McCarthy, S.Kiernan, S.Fenton, M.Russell (Capt), M.Tobin, D.Fahy, P.Jackman (1-6), R.Whelan, S.Smith, C.McGlone (0-1), M.C.Dunphy, D.Nugent, E.Heneghan, K.Hanon, R,Geoghegan, A.Hannon, N.Prendergast,N.Rockett, U.Jackman, C.Hogan, G.Burke.

 

Under 14

 

The U14 B final was played on Monday in Old Parish between Dungarvan and Brickeys. The sponsors of this championship was Tramore Camogie Club. (See next week’s edition.)

 

The U14 A semi-final between St Annes V Cappoquin was also played on Monday in Kilgobinet in which the winners will be playing Lismore next Monday. This championship is sponsored by FDC accountants Lismore.

 

The U14c semi-final was played on Monday night as well, involving Roanmore and Portlaw in Cleayboy. This championship is being sponsored by Portlaw camogie club. The final is down to be played on Monday next.

 

County Feile Blitz

 

The County Feile Blitz will take place in Tallow on Saturday next at 11am. This is the qualifying round for the All-Ireland Feile na nGael competition which will be hosted by Laois/Offaly in June. The County Feile competition is sponsored by Kearneys Restaurant, Tallow, while the Feile Plate competition is sponsored by De La Salle.