Waterford 5-20
Westmeath 3-10

by Colin Lawrence

Waterford clinched their second ZuCar U-18 C All-Ireland title in a row thanks to a stunning display against battling Westmeath in Baltinglass.

The Deise held a relatively narrow four-point lead after a pulsating goal-fest of a first half but powered on in the second period, storming to the crown on a fully deserved scoreline of 5-20 to 3-10.

Such was the dominance of Fiona Laffan’s side in that second 30 minutes, they outscored their classy opponents by 2-10 to 0-4, lethal forwards Treasa Ní Chrotaigh, Abbie Fitzpatrick and Clodagh Power in flying form and boosted by the arrival of the superbly accurate Emma Fitzgerald off the bench after half-time, while centre-back Rebecca Walsh and full-back Deirdre Roche shone in a uncompromising defence.

A decent crowd had gathered in a sun-kissed Baltinglass GAA grounds for what promised to be a thriller, and the opening half certainly delivered in that regard.

Six goals, some lovely points and football of a very high standard sent Waterford in with a four-point lead at 3-10 to 3-6 after those hectic opening 30 minutes.

It was the Leinster champions who hit the ground running early doors, opening up a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after four minutes, Rachel Murphy with the goal and Kate Stuart Trainor causing havoc on the wing.

But Waterford were here to play, and white flags from Eimear Campbell, Clodagh Power and team captain Ava Connolly left the minimum between the sides with eight minutes on the clock.

The Deise side started bossing matters and by the end of the first quarter they led by 2-6 to 1-2, the goals from Abbie Fitzpatrick and Clodagh Power.

This was a free-flowing encounter with strong running from both sides, and it was all in the mix at the break thanks to fine goals from Shannon Breslin and Katie Kilmurray (penalty) who helped Westmeath battle back into contention.

However, the introduction of Emma Fitzgerald at the break and her impact from placed balls and the scintillating Deise attack that produced two more goals, the first from Siún Mernin and the second from the outstanding Clodagh Power and a host of points from all over the field left the Waterford side worthy winners after a cracking battle in the Garden County.

Scorers – Waterford: C Power 2-6 (4f), A Fitzpatrick 1-2, E Fitzgerald 0-5 (4f), A Connolly 1-1, T Ní Chrotaigh 0-4 (f), S Mernin 1-0, E Campbell 0-1, R Browne 0-1.

Westmeath: K Kilmurray 1-6 (1-0pen, 3f), R Murphy 1-0, S Breslin 1-0, K Stuart Trainor 0-2, S O’Sullivan 0-1, E Carey 0-1. 

WATERFORD: G Corcoran; R Power, D Roche, G Carrigan; S Peters, R Walsh, E Campbell; S Condon, R Browne; C Power, M Kenneally, S Mernin; A Connolly (capt.), T Ní Chrotaigh, A Fitzpatrick. Subs: E Fitzgerald for E Kenneally (h/t), A Butler for Mernin (59), R Fitzgerald for R Power (60), E Curran for Condon (60), M McCusker for Ní Chrotaigh (60+2).

WESTMEATH: K Kelly; R Ward, L Brogan, G Shortall; A Barry, M Donohue, Á Bracken; C Butler Clyne, A Keegan (capt.); S O’Sullivan, R Murphy, K Stuart Trainor; O Collins, S Breslin, K Kilmurray. Subs: L Allen for Donohue (29), E Carey for Barry (39), K Hogg for Shorthall (41, inj), N Farrell for Collins (57), A McDonald for Butler Clyne (60+2).

Referee: E Cuthbert (Down).

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