Waterford 2-13 Kilkenny 2-18

Waterford’s senior camogie team suffered a third loss in this year’s campaign at Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon last going under to a Kilkenny side who had previously had three defeats inflicted on them, meaning that going into their last game with reigning champions Tipperary they will have to win to ensure they are not in a relegation a relegation battle the sides around them in the table.

While relegation from the top division would not be the end of the world for Waterford as they showed when they went down in 2022, there is no doubt that all involved would like to see their players playing the top teams in the league as they prepare for the All-Ireland Championship which follows on a few weeks after the league finishes.

Its worth remembering that Waterford were relegated from the top division in 2022, and bounced back up the following year, which started the team on a great run of results, which ended in them playing against an excellent Cork side in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park, a result that went against Waterford on the day.

The Déise ladies had a great start at Nowlan Park. Mairead O’Brien netted a goal on three minutes which was followed with a Niamh Rockett point from a placed ball three minutes later to send Waterford into an early four-point lead.

The home side went into this game on the back of three defeats in a row against Cork, Galway and Tipperary and knew that a fourth defeat in a row would leave them in severe trouble going into the final fixture, a must win game for both sides against Dublin.

Laura Murphy put over a brace of frees after Mary O’Connell hit their opening score to leave one between the sides with 11 minutes on the clock.

Niamh Rockett put over two scores from placed balls to restore a three-point lead for Waterford, but a high ball from Katie Nolan was won in front of goal by KellyAnn Doyle and she fired to the net from close range to level matters for the Kittens.

Niamh Rockett from a free and Orla Hickey with her first of the afternoon restored Waterford’s lead by the 17 minute, but Waterford would not score for the remainder of the half.

At the other end, the home side were impressive. Laura Murphy put over a free which was followed with a Katie Nolan effort from play.

The Kittens scored their second goal on 21 minutes. Laura Greene cleverly found KellyAnn Doyle who finished to the net for her second major score of the game, putting her side 2-6 to 1-5 in front.

Steffi Fitzgerald and Laura Murphy from a free scored for the home side before the same two players scored in a similar fashion to give the home side a 2-10 to 1-5 lead at the break.

Laura Murphy got the second half underway with a point from a free after which Mairead O’Brien ended 16-minute spell without a score for Waterford with a pointed effort from play.

Katie Nolan and Caoimhe Keher Murtagh hit points from play for the home side to extend their lead to beyond double scores.

Niamh Rockett pointed from a free before Katie Nolan hit one from play at the other end. Molly Commerford and Niamh Rockett his consecutive scores for Waterford for the first time since Niamh Rockett and Orla Hickey did so just past the midway point in the opening half to reduce the home sides lead marginally.

A brace by Laura Murphy made it 2-16 to 1-9 with 12 minutes remaining, but efforts from Orla Hickey and Niamh Rockett gave Waterford hope going into the closing minutes of the game.

Mairead O’Brien stuck her second goal of the game three minutes from time and while Niamh Rockett and Mairead O’Brien followed up with points to reduce the difference to five, time ran out for Jerry Wallace’s side.

Waterford: Noelle Murphy; Rachael Walsh, Keeley Corbett Barry, Allanah McNulty; Bevin Bowdren, Lorraine Bray, Iona Heffernan; Orla Hickey, Eimear O’Neill; Beth Carton, Abbie Flynn, Niamh Rockett; Annie Fitzgerald, Mairead O’Brien, Kate Lynch.

Subs: Tara Power for Alannah McNulty (HT), Maggie Gostl for Annie Fitzgerald (35), Alannah O’Sullivan for Kate Lynch (41), Molly Commerford for Bevin Bowdren (41), Aoife Landers for Iona Heffernan (54).

Scorers: Mairead O’Brien 2-2, Niamh Rockett 0-8 (6f, 1 ’45), Orla Hickey 0-2, Molly Commerford 0-1.

Kilkenny: Aoife Norris; Ava Brett, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Ciara Phelan; Miriam Bambrick, Caoimhe Dowling, Niamh Deeley; Laura Greene, Aobha O’Gorman; Mary O’Connell, Steffi Fitzgerald, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh; Laura Murphy, KellyAnn Doyle, Katie Nolan.

Scorers; Laura Murphy 0-9 (7f), KellyAnn Doyle 2-0, Katie Nolan 0-4, Mary O’Connell, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh 0-1 each.

Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare).

 @top fans Loanitt Supermac’s & Papa John’s Cork Road Waterford News & Star WLR FM The Munster Express @dungarvanobserver @dungarvanleader Beat 102 103 Thank you John O Neill for the photos.