Tough start for Offaly as Waterford inflict heavy defeat

WATERFORD 2-26

OFFALY 1-9

WATERFORD inflicted a heavy defeat on Offaly in the opening game of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie championship played in Banagher on Saturday

A Waterford victory was not a surprise, as they are expected to comfortably top this group, but Offaly would have hoped to provide a sterner test of their rivals ahead of their other group games against Antrim and Limerick.

Offaly were on the back foot from the very start as the Deise found the Offaly net inside the first 20 seconds. Offaly responded well initially to that setback with three early points but once the visitors goaled for the second time after eight minutes they began to ease away and they held a 15 point lead at half time, 2-15 to 0-5.

It was a similar story after the break as Waterford continued to pick off the points. Offaly got some late consolation scores but they only made a small indent into Waterford's lead as they went on to win by a 20 point margin.

Waterford seemed to be quicker in thought and action than Offaly and used the ball better. Offaly seemed to laboured at times and their pass options weren't always the best, playing themselves into trouble and losing valuable possession in the process.

Waterford have been one of the form teams of this year. Last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists won Division 1B of the league, which also included Offaly, winning all their games on route to that title. They will be expected to finish top of the group leaving the battle for second place in the group and a place in the quarter finals to the other three teams. Antrim have got a head start in that battle with victory over Limerick and they host Offaly in round 2 of this group on June 17th, one that Offaly will now have to win to stay in contention.

Offaly will be disappointed with their overall performance in this game. They were fighting an uphill battle all the way but would have hoped to make a bit more of a fight of it. They struggled for scores all through, only managing three points from play over the hour. It took 28 minutes of the second half to get a score from play, while they only registered two wides, the first after 35 minutes, indicating their limited scoring opportunities.

Waterford looked sharp and lively and their link up play as excellent. Ten different players contributed to their scoring tally and they showed that they will be a factor in the latter stages of this championship again.

Leah Gallagher made a couple of important saves for Offaly, while outfield Louise Mannion, Sarah Walsh, Aoife Liffey, Becky Bryant and Rachel Brennan tried hardest.

For Waterford, Clodagh Carroll, Keeley Corbett Barry, Orla Hickey, Niamh Rockett, Beth Carton, Mairead O'Brien and Annie Fitzgerald were best.

Offaly got a disastrous start when conceding a goal inside the first 20 seconds. Beth Carton played the ball in and Annie Fitzgerald gathered and got inside her opponent and fired low to the net. Becky Bryant replied with an Offaly free and after Niamh Rockett pointed for Waterford, Becky Bryant added two more, one a free and one from play, to cut the deficit to a point after four minutes.

Waterford came again and Clodagh Carroll and Beth Carton (free) added points before they netted for the second time after eight minutes when Abby Flynn set up Mairead O'Brien and she finished from close range. Rachel Brennan replied with a good point for Offaly but Annie Fitzgerald, Beth Carton (two frees), Orla Hickey and Abby Flynn all added points to stretch the Deise lead to 10 points after 20 minutes.

Becky Brytant pointed another Offaly free but Beth Carton (3, two frees), Annie Fitzgerald (2) and Orla Hickey were all on target for Waterford and they were only denied a third goal when Leah Gallagher made a great save from Niamh Rockett and at half time Waterford led by 15 points, 2-14 to 0-5.

The second half picked up where the first ended with Mairead O'Brien, Orla Hickey, Beth Carton (free) and Roisin Kirwan stretching the lead before Becky Bryant got Offaly's first score of the half after seven minutes. Beth Carton added three more (two frees) and Niamh Rockett also pointed to leave Waterford 2-22 to 0-6 in front midway through the second half.

Becky Bryant added another free and when Sarah Harding was hauled down going through, she got up and fired the 20m free to the net for an Offaly goal. Mairead O'Brien and Beth Carton (free) replied for Waterford but Becky Bryant tapped over another free and Sarah Harding got Offaly's only score from play in the second half in the 28th minute. Subs Ann Corcoran and Lorraine Bray added late points for Waterford to leave them 20 points ahead at full time.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

WATERFORD: Brianna O'Regan; Vikki Faulkner, Iona Heffernan, Niamh Curran; Keeley Corbett Barry, Clodagh Carroll, Mairead Power; Orla Hickey, Kate Lynch; Mairead O'Brien, Beth Carton, Roisin Kirwan; Abby Flynn, Annie Fitzgerald, Niamh Rockett. Subs. Tara Power (for Abby Flynn, 37 mins), Aoife Landers (for Niamh Curran, 40 mins), Anne Corcoran (for Roisin Kirwan, 49 mins), Bevin Bowdren (for Orla Hickey, 49 mins), Lorraine Bray (for Kate Lynch, 52 mins).

OFFALY: Leah Gallagher (Tullamore); Louise Mannion (St Rynagh's), Alana Roddy (Birr), Orla Gorman (Tullamore); Sarah Walsh (Tullamore), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid), Aoife Liffey (Shinrone); Grainne Dolan (St Rynagh's), Sinead Moore (Kilcormac/Killoughey); Becky Bryant (Tullamore), Rachel Brennan (St Cillian's), Labhaoise Glynn (Lusmagh); Siobhan Flannery (St Rynagh's), Sarah Harding (Birr), Clodagh Leahy (Drumcullen). Subs. Ciara Maher (Moneygall) (for Siobhan Flannery, 36 mins), Lisa Gorman (Tullamore) (for Labhaoise Glynn, 36 mins), Aisling Feeney (Tullamore) (for Lisa Gorman, 45 mins), Siobhan Killeen (St Cillian's) (for Sinead Moore, 60 mins).

REFEREE: Justin Heffernan

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

All the contenders were on the Waterford side. Clodagh Carroll, Orla Hickey and Annie Fitzgerald all made big impressions, but over the hour the accolade goes to Beth Carton. He finished the hour with 11 points, nine frees and two from play, but apart from that accuracy, she was central to a lot of their attacking play, from setting up the first goal to delivering excellent passes around the attack over the hour.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Waterford's goal after little more than 15 seconds made a difficult task even harder for Offaly. It put them on the backfoot from the off and gave Waterford a good platform to build on and they did that confidently.

REFEREE WATCH

It wasn't a game where the referee was much of a factor. Justin Heffernan did a good job of officiating. He did dish out six yellow cards, five of those to Offaly players, and it wasn't that type of game and maybe a couple were a bit of the harsh side. Overall though, the referee did well.

TALKING POINT

Offaly wouldn't have been expecting to win this game as Waterford were hot favourities but they would have hoped to have been a bit more competitive ahead of their other group games. They have to pick themselves up now for the trip to Antrim in two weeks. They drew with Antrim in the league so they have the potential to challenge the Glenswomen and if they could sneak a win there, they would then have a home game with Limerick with a place in the All-Ireland quarter finals at stake.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly travel to Antrim in the second round on June 17th while Waterford travel to Limerick on the same day.

VENUE WATCH

The Banagher venue was as usual in fine condition for the game on a beautiful sunny day, with plenty of parking available and stewards on duty.

STATISTICS

Wides; Waterford 8 (2 in first half) Offaly 2 (0 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Waterford 1 (Niamh Curran) Offaly 5 (Becky Bryant, Sarah Harding, Siobhan Flannery, Rachel Brennan, Grainne Dolan).

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Waterford; Beth Carton (0-11, 0-9 frees), Annie Fitzgerald (1-3), Mairead O'Brien (1-2), Orla Hickey (0-3), Niamh Rockett (0-2), Clodagh Carroll, Abby Flynn, Roisin Kirwan, Ann Corcoran, Lorraine Bray (0-1 each).

Offaly; Becky Bryant (0-7, 0-6 frees), Sarah Harding (1-1, 1-0 free), Rachel Brennan (0-1).