Waterford remain on learning curve

National Camogie League Division 1 Group 2
Waterford 0-8
Limerick 2-11
Thomas Keane at Carriganore
Waterford’s Senior Camogie team suffered a second successive nine point defeat in this year’s National League on Sunday afternoon last going under to Limerick at Carriganore.
There is an old adage in Gaelic Games that goals win games and it was never as true as it was here, where a goal in either half proved decisive for the winners.
Six points separated the sides at the break in this game, as Limerick went to the dressing rooms with a 1-6 to 0-3 advantage showing on the scoreboard positioned at the Butlerstown end of the ground.

The Limerick goal came six minutes into the game when Niamh Ryan from close range hammered past Deirdre Brennan in the Waterford goal.
It was Waterford that were first out of the traps in this game, as Trish Jackman put over a 21-metre free on three minutes, the Deise’s first ever score playing at the highest level while playing on home soil.
The visitors however hit back quickly and two points from Niamh Mulcahy either side of Niamh Ryan’s goal, both tapped over the crossbar by Deirdre Brennan to give the visitors a lead that they never gave up.
Limerick’s second goal came midway through the second half when substitute Sinead McNamara got inside the Waterford full-back line and when she was one-on-one with Deirdre Brennan powerless as Limerick went 2-9 to 0-6 clear.
While defeat was to be Waterford’s lot on the day, the home side did have chances to be closer to Limerick – or even to win the game.
Jennie Simpson hit the foot of the Limerick post on 46 minutes with a thunderous effort while nine minutes earlier Beth Carton had an attempt for goal blocked on the line and seconds later the same player saw an effort come crashing off the crossbar.
Waterford are going to take a little time to settle and get used to playing at a higher level than they were last year.
New faces have been introduced to the panel and some familiar faces from previous years have been re-introduced and it is going to take them a little time to get used to playing at a faster pace than the side were used to up to now.
But have no fears, this is a Waterford side that once they have become accustomed to playing at a higher level will be more than a match for most opposition that they face.
Waterford: Deirdre Brennan; Mairead Power, Iona Heffernan, Becky Kavanagh; Claire Whyte, Fiona Morrissey, Charlotte Raher; Lorraine Bray, Trish Jackman; Sibeal Harney, Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton; Aisling Power, Jennie Simpson, Caithriona McGlone.
Subs: Zoe O’Donoghue for Caithriona McGlone (40 mins), Claire Murphy for Aisling Power (50), Kate McMahon for Sibeal Harney (52) and Saoirse Bonner for Jennie Simpson (60).
Scorers: Trish Jackman (0-6; 0-4f, 0-2 45′), Beth Carton and Jennie Simpson (0-1 each).
Limerick: Claire Keating; Marguerite McCarthy, Lorraine McCarthy, Judith Mulcahy; Rebecca Delee, Fiona Hickey, Niamh Richardson; Mary O’Callaghan, Karen O’Leary; Siobhan Enright, Muireann Creamer, Niamh Mulcahy; Niamh Ryan, Caoimhe Costello, Deborah Murphy.
Subs: Sinead McNamara for Siobhan Enright (29 mins), Cliona Lane for Muireann Creamer (51), Leanne Browne for Niamh Richardson (58) and Noreen Barry for Marguerite McCarthy (61).
Scorers: Niamh Mulcahy (0-9; 0-4f), Niamh Ryan and Sinead McNamara (1-0 each) and Caoimhe Costello (0-2).
Referee: Cathal Egan (Cork).