By Daragh Ó Conchúir
A pointed free in the sixth minute of injury time by Beth Carton rescued a 0-16 to 0-15 victory for Waterford at Walsh Park and denied Down a famous result after an outstanding performance in sweltering heat on the Mourne side’s first All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship appearance for 22 years.
It was a redemptive strike for Carton, who missed an opportunity at the death last month to force extra time in the Division 1 League relegation play-off and the De La Salle woman was not found wanting on this occasion as she made no mistake from the late opportunity.
Of course Carton has delivered time and again for the Déise and she clocked up nine points in this Group 2 tie, with her long-time attacking sidekick Niamh Rockett weighing in with six from play in real leader’s performance.
Down did not wilt despite the onslaught from the two All-Stars though and in fact when Niamh Mallon shot the eighth of her nine points, Derek Dunne’s team led by four with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Last year’s intermediate victors and current Division 2 League titleholders looking extremely assured form the outset, Mallon slotting two points from play and adding a third from a placed ball before Rockett could get Waterford off the mark after 11 minutes.
It was 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time but when Sorcha McCartan arrowed a sideline over for a two-point return and Aimee McAleenan supplemented it, the margin was four. And that was how it was still when Mallon responded in kind to a Carton double.
Waterford had been profligate in front of the posts but their big two dragged them ahead, only for Mallon to arc over a stunning equaliser over her right shoulder to level with time almost up. Carton caught Brianna O’Regan’s puckout however, and when Justin Heffernan decreed that Caitriona Caldwell had fouled Rockett, a decision contested vigorously by the Down contingent, Carton had the easiest opportunity to snatch the spoils.
