The Waterford minors camogie lost to Tipperary by 1-13 to 0-9 in the Munster A final at a bright and breezy Walsh Park this afternoon. Full forward Caoimhe Stakelum starred for the Premier girls with 1-9.
The home side hit thirteen wides on a frustrating day in front of goal. Goalkeeper Katelyn Gardner, wing back Abbie Burrows and Eimear O'Neill battled hard for Mark English's charges who must now switch their focus to the All Ireland series next month.
Tipperary won the toss but elected to play against the strong breeze in the first half. Wind assisted Waterford raced into a four nil lead after thirteen minutes. Maggie Gostl converted two placed balls while Eimear O’Neill and Emma Fitzgerald split the uprights from play. Tipp got back level by the nineteenth minute as Caoimhe Stakelum slotted three frees. On 20 minutes, Stakelum sprinted clear and saw her shot blocked by Katelyn Gardner. The Premier full forward whipped the rebound to the Waterford net (1-4 to 0-4).
Stakelum added two more points to her tally as she finished the half on 1-5. Danielle Ryan made it 1-7 to 0-4 in favour of the visitors. Waterford went sixteen minutes without a score and struck eight first half wides. They got two points back before the break through Gostl (free) and Eimear O’Neill (1-7 to 0-6).
Stakelum and Gostl traded frees at the start of the second period. Waterford couldn't get any closer than four points. On 43 minutes, Déise netminder Katelyn Gardner produced a double save from Stakelum and Hannah Butler.
The hosts continued to struggle with their shooting as the wide count rose to thirteen by full time. Emma Fitzgerald and Hannah McGrath hit consolation points.
