Waterford finished their Division 1A campaign with a three point loss to Kilkenny at a bright and blustery SETU Arena this afternoon (2-10 to 0-13).
Super sub Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, granddaughter of the great Eddie Keher, got both goals for the Cats. Beth Carton hit ten points for the home side with Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray and Orla Hickey also on target. The turning point of the contest came nine minutes from time when Kilkenny goalkeeper Aoife Norris deflected Annie Fitzgerald's shot out for a 45.
An injury time goal from Keher Murtagh edged the Cats 1-5 to 0-7 ahead at the break after playing into a strong breeze. It came against the run of play as Waterford had scored four unanswered points before that. Carton finished the half with five including three from play.
The Déise missed three placed balls however. Carton sent two off target while Rockett fired another one wide. Róisín Kirwan also had a point disallowed. A minute into added time, Keher Murtagh slipped inside the Waterford full back line and found the roof of the net. The number 22 replaced Julianne Malone earlier in the half who came off with a shoulder injury.
Sophie O'Dwyer and Carton swapped frees on the restart. With 40 minutes on the clock, Keher Murtagh drilled a low shot under the hurley of Brianna O'Regan (2-6 to 0-8). Katie Power and Aoife Doyle extended the lead to five heading into the last quarter.
Carton converted two frees before Mairéad O’Brien put substitute Annie Fitzgerald through on goal. The crowd were cheering and manager Jerry Wallace flung his hat in the air but the ball flew right of the post. Carton dispatched the 45 and Orla Hickey hit a point from play to narrow the gap to two.
The noise levels lifted in the stand but Waterford couldn't get any closer. Points from subs Katie Byrne and Asha McHardy sealed victory for the black and amber.
No league final appearance for the Déise who turn their attention to next month's Munster championship.
