Waterford made history at the weekend by securing their first-ever All-Ireland Interleague title, lifting the Angela Hearst Trophy with a resounding 5-1 win over Wexford at the RSC.
For manager Tommy Butler and his squad, the achievement was not only about winning but doing so in emphatic style, putting five goals past their opponents before half-time.
Speaking after the game, Butler admitted the performance exceeded even his own expectations.
“We were buzzing after the game. Everything kind of clicked for us, especially in the first half,” he said. “At half-time we were pinching ourselves to be five goals up. It was just a really, really good performance.”
The victory was the culmination of a two-year journey for Waterford, who had suffered heartbreak in last year’s final. That defeat, according to Butler, provided the motivation needed to regroup and return stronger.
“Coming off last year’s defeat, we circled the wagons in January and said we’d go again. Sunday’s win was proof of that hard work.”
Interestingly, Wexford were no strangers to Waterford in this campaign. With fixture reshuffles earlier in the year, the two sides faced each other twice in the group phase, both times resulting in Waterford victories. While some might have feared complacency, Butler insisted the experience proved invaluable.
“It gives you confidence going in, knowing you’ve beaten a team twice, though it can work against you as well,” he explained. “They had pulled in a few new players, and we had our own challenges with injuries, losing Maria Delahunty to an MCL for example. But the girls responded brilliantly.”
One of the most encouraging aspects of the final was the spread of goals across the squad. Becky Conroy and Nicola Bennett both netted twice, while Rachel Hutchinson capped off the scoring with a superbly taken free-kick. For Butler, this was a sign of how far the side had come since last year.
“The goals were fantastic—Nicola finished a great one-on-one and followed it with a header, Becky popped up with a worldie, and Hutch’s free kick was one we’d worked on in training. It was great to see the hard work pay off.”
7 September 2025; Waterford captain Lisa Dower, centre, is presented with the Angela Heart Memorial Cup by Victoria, left, and Ebbie Heart after the FAI Womens Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup final match between Waterford Women’s & Schoolgirls League and Wexford District Womens & Schoolgirls League at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The triumph also highlights the broader strength of the women’s game in Waterford. With clubs like Dungarvan United, Benfica, and Bohemians all making strides at underage and senior levels, the league is developing a reputation as one of the strongest in the country.
“It’s in a really good place at the moment,” Butler said. “Waterford FC having a senior team gives a clear pathway, and clubs like Dungarvan and Benfica have been battling at Munster and national level. The challenge was always to bring those players together, and the girls have gelled brilliantly. There’s a great camaraderie there, and it showed on the pitch.”
Hosting the final at the RSC added another layer of significance to the occasion. For the players, winning an All-Ireland title at home in front of local support made the moment even sweeter.
“The pitch was immaculate, and the support made for a brilliant atmosphere,” Butler said.
Butler, who has a strong background coaching men’s and women’s teams across the county, credited the squad’s dedication in balancing club commitments, league fixtures, and interleague training.
“You’re pulling and dragging them week to week between clubs, mid-season games, and training. Add in jobs, families, and other sports—it’s a massive commitment,” he said. “That’s why the win felt like such a fitting reward. We’ve been working hard for two years, and the final was a great end.”
For Waterford, the Angela Hearst Trophy is more than just silverware—it’s a milestone for the women’s game in the county and a springboard for future success. Butler hopes it will inspire more teams to invest in women’s football and provide opportunities for players to flourish.
“It’s a great place to be right now, but hopefully this is only the start,” he said.
