All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group 2
Waterford 0-17
Kilkenny 0-10
Tomás McCarthy at UPMC Nowlan Park
Waterford created history on Saturday afternoon with their first senior championship win over Kilkenny.
Nine Niamh Rockett points and four from Beth Carton slayed the Cats at long last. In nine previous meetings, since returning to senior level in 2015, the Déise had recorded eight defeats and a draw against the black and amber.
Mick Boland’s side should have won by more as they created five clearcut goal chances. Kilkenny goalkeeper Aoife Norris made three point blank saves in the first quarter from Mairéad O’Brien, Lorraine Bray and Annie Fitzgerald. Waterford’s running game and support play saw them create overlaps and carve open the Kilkenny defence.
All Star forwards Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton tallied thirteen points between them. Rockett was unerring from placed balls and made four big catches. She sent over six frees, two 45s and one from play. Carton hit four from play and assisted two more. Her strength, her vision and her finishing still make the De La Salle attacker Waterford’s go-to player.
Goalkeeper Brianna O’Regan made her first start of 2025 after recovering from knee surgery. She dealt confidently with high ball around the square. The full back line of Rachael Walsh, Kate Lynch and Alannah McNulty shielded the returning netminder. All three caught the eye. The only downer for the Déise was that Mairéad O’Brien came off with a knock in the second half.
Despite playing against the breeze, the visitors led 9-5 at the break. After just 15 seconds, Maggie Gostl put Mairéad O’Brien through on goal but Kilkenny custodian Aoife Norris blocked her bullet shot. Annie Fitzgerald and Tiffanie Fitzgerald then received treatment after a heavy collision
Laura Murphy landed two frees for wind assisted Kilkenny before Niamh Rockett made a mighty catch from an O’Regan puckout. Lorraine Bray shrugged off two defenders but again Norris pulled off a close range save. Kilkenny counter attacked and Murphy landed her first point from play. Rockett registered the Déise’s first point from a twelfth minute free. Steffi Fitzgerald scored at the second attempt after a block from Alannah McNulty (0-4 to 0-1).
On the quarter hour, Abby Flynn intercepted a Kilkenny clearance and set up another goal chance for Annie Fitzgerald. Norris saved yet again. Beth Carton pointed off the rebound. A Rockett free and a point from Leaving Cert student Eimear O’Neill levelled the match for the first time.
After Fitzgerald hit the post, a Rockett 45 edged the Déise ahead. Two more Rockett frees followed. Keeley Corbett Barry then came charging out of defence and supplied a Carton single (0-8 to 0-4). Seven unanswered points from the away side. Murphy converted a Kilkenny free after Corbett Barry was penalised for steps. In injury time, Carton crossed for
Rockett in front of goal but the sliotar was scrambled away for a 45. Rockett knocked over her sixth placed ball.
Five minutes into the second half, Waterford created their fifth goal chance. Brilliant support play by Carton, O’Brien and Flynn left Fitzgerald with just the goalkeeper to beat. The Gailltir forward fired right and wide however. Mary O’Connell reduced the gap to three but Carton won the next puckout and split the posts. O’Regan batted a point attempt from Laura Greene and a goal attempt from Sarah Barcoe away for two 45s which Murphy dispatched (0-10 to 0-8).
Fitzgerald steadied the ship with a point. Carton punched the air when her fourth flew over. She then suppled her De La Salle club mate Maggie Gostl. Late points from Rockett and Flynn wrapped up a famous Waterford win.
Scorers for Waterford: Niamh Rockett 0-9 (6fs, 2 45s), Beth Carton 0-4, Abby Flynn, Maggie Gostl, Annie Fitzgerald, Eimear O’Neill 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Laura Murphy 0-8 (5fs, 2 45s), Steffi Fitzgerald, Mary O’Connell 0-1 each.
Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Rachael Walsh, Kate Lynch, Alannah McNulty; Bevin Bowdren, Keeley Corbett Barry, Orla Hickey; Lorraine Bray, Eimear O’Neill; Abby Flynn, Beth Carton, Mairéad O’Brien; Maggie Gostl, Annie Fitzgerald, Niamh Rockett.
Subs: Tara Power for O’Brien (46), Molly Comerford for O’Neill (49), Alannah O’Sullivan for Gostl (57), Niamh Ahearne for Fitzgerald (64).
Kilkenny: Aoife Norris; Ava Brett, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Ciara Phelan; Niamh Deely, Katie Power, Caoimhe Dowling; Aobha O’Gorman, Laura Greene; Mary O’Connell, Laura Murphy, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh; Kellyann Doyle, Steffi Fitzgerald, Katie Nolan.
Subs: Aoife Prendergast for Keher Murtagh (HT), Sarah Barcoe for O’Gorman (HT), Sophie Holden for Nolan (40), Asha McHardy for Doyle (50), Michelle Teehan for Brett (54).
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
