Club success for Ballymac
It took over two decades, but the record holders for ladies club football in Munster and Ireland finally made it back to the top of the heap in 2022.
Ballymacarbry are the long-time holders of the most Munster and All-Ireland titles. Before this year, it was 14 Munster crowns and ten All-Ireland's.
They once again rose to the top of the Waterford Championship when they beat Comeragh Rangers to claim a 41st consecutive title in the county. They have not lost a county final since 1982, and while Comeragh Rangers have ran them close on a couple of occasions they are still the undoubted kingpins.
Their last Munster success had0 come in 2000 when they beat Donoughmore. Since then the competition has gone the way of the Cork clubs. Donoghmore, Inch Rovers and Mourneabbey have dominated winning all but one title between the three clubs. The Banner of Clare are the only other club to win it out in that time.
In those 22 years since Ballymac last reigned supreme, they have battled and lost with the likes of Mourneabbey and the Banner on several occasions.
This year, it all changed.
Mallow GAA Complex was the venue where history was to be made or missed out on and the Banner were the opponents.
It could have been described as a game for the purists. Not one that will be remembered for it's quick passing and laser shooting. It was an arm wrestle between Clare and Waterford, with the full-time scoreboard showing 8 points to 5 when the whistle sounded at the end.
Sinead Kenrick was the main score getter on the day kicking four points on Ballymac's way to lifting the Michael Ryan Cup.
After the game, the tears started to roll. The majority of the team had played with Ballymac, knowing the history of the club and the esteem in which they are held, but yet, unable to write their own little piece of history.
Ballymac - lauded as the best team to ever do it - had finally made it back to where their name was made. They were once again Munster Champions.
Unfortunately, the dream season came to an end at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. The reigning All-Ireland Champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne traveled South to Fraher Field. The Galway side were far too good on the day, beating Mike Guiry's team 2.10 to 0.2 with Maeve Ryan kicking both scores.
While they were unable to make that extra step to get back to Croke Park, it was the year they had been waiting for an next years Munster Championship will be al the more exciting now that the Cork dominance has been stilted.
Karen McGrath was named Munster Ladies footballer of the year thanks to her performances throughout the Championship.
The men's game
The Nire once again stand at the top of the county having defended their title.
The club from the Nire Valley - along with their sister club Ballymac - were the force to be reckoned with in the county for the second year in a row.
There was only two points in it when the whistle went at Walsh Park with the Nire retaining the Conway Cup 10 points to 8.
It was the first time since 1994 that the Nire defended their title, in no small part thanks to county hurling stars Conor Gleeson and Jamie Barron. It also meant heartbreak for Rathgormack who have now fallen short in three consecutive finals.
Michael Ryan's men advanced to the Munster Championship where they were well beaten by Éir Óg of Ennis in the quarter-final. Unlike 2021, they had an almost full hand to choose from (minus Gleeson who was carrying a shoulder injury) but the Clare Champions had too much in the locker. They ran out 3.11 to 0.5 winners at Cusack Park.
Similarly for the intermediate and junior championships, there was no joy for the Waterford sides. Roanmore exited at the quarter-final when Na Piarsaigh beat them by six points, while Shamrocks were short by a goal when they were beaten by Castlemahon in the junior competition.
Intercounty affairs
The men's side, led by Ephie Fitzgerald had to suffer in 2022. Few games were without incident and emotions ran high on more than one occasion.
The first day of the league campaign proved to be their best result of the year when they drew with Tipp in Fraher Field.
After playing that staemate with the Premier, the Déise would go on to lose to London by a point in London. It would not be the last time they fell short by the minimum, however.
They battle would Carlow, losing out by four, as well as losing to Leitrim 2.17 to 1.13.
The narrow margins continued with Wexford holding out for a one point win with the same full-time report following their loss to Sligo.
Fitzgerald's side were reduced to 11 men that day - Dylan Guiry, Dermot Ryan, Michael Curry were all given their marching orders while Jason Curry was sent off on a black card. Selector Frank Ryan joined the players in the stand when he was also shown a card by the referee.
In the Championship, the performance in their draw to Tipp could not be summouned with the Premier winning the say. Waterford had a good start to the game with Jason Curry netting an early penalty, but the Premier ran out as 3.13 to 1.08 winners.
With the Championship now over, they were sent into the Tailtean Cup where they lost to Wicklow in their opening fixture - bringing an end to their year.
The women's side had a similar number of ups and downs in the Waterford jersey.
Tost to Cork and Donegal in the group phase of the Championship, but survived the relegation playoff with Monaghan thanks to goals from Lauren McGregor and Caoimhe McGrath.
It had been much of the same in the League where they survived a relegation battle. Under new manager Pat Sullivan they lost to Dublin, Meath and Cork. They will be alive in the top flight for 2023 however thanks to a 1.17 to 0.07 win over Westmeath in Abbotstown where Sheena McGuckian got the green flag. The game had been delayed as the Waterford team bus had been involved in an accident on the way to Dublin.
