Waterford moved top of the Division 1A table on points difference after a strong second half performance against Clare at a wet and windy Fraher Field (2-16 to 0-8). The Déise are tied with Tipperary, Galway and Cork with two wins from three games.
There was only a point between the teams eight minutes into the second half before Jerry Wallace's side pulled away with a purple patch of 1-9 without reply. 2023 Player of the Year Beth Carton led the way with six points while captain Lorraine Bray also starred with three from play. Niamh Rockett and Sarah Lacey netted goals in either half. Goalkeeper Brianna O'Regan pulled off a first half penalty save from Aine O'Loughlin.
The Banner suffered their third league loss in a row. Midfielder Ciara Grogan got seven of their eight points.
Clare won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze towards the county end. On six minutes, a point attempt from Sarah Lacey dropped into the net as Mairead O'Brien followed it in. There was a suspicion of a square ball but referee Cathal McAllister checked with his umpires and the green flag was raised.
Beth Carton was fouled and converted the subsequent free. The reigning Player of the Year then set up Sarah Lacey for a point. Ciara Grogan converted her second free at the other end.
Lorraine Bray drove forward to strike a point before Carton went off on a trademark solo run. She beat two Clare defenders before she split the posts from 45 metres. 1-4 to 0-2 with sixteen minutes on the clock.
Clare dominated the second quarter. On 24 minutes, Brianna O'Regan spilled a ball that dropped short. Clodagh Carroll picked up the loose sliotar but O'Regan fouled Aine O'Loughlin off the ball. O'Loughlin stepped up but the Waterford netminder made amends with a diving save. Grogan converted the 45. O'Regan then deflected another effort from O'Loughlin away for a 45. Grogan struck over her fourth dead ball of the afternoon. The rain started to fall as Waterford went in a goal to the good at the break (1-4 to 0-4).
Two Grogan frees left just the bare minimum between the sides by the 38th minute. Waterford's All Stars stood up to the plate. Points from Niamh Rockett and Lorraine Bray, created by Beth Carton, settled the home side. Carton added three more (two frees).
With fifteen minutes left, a Niamh Rockett point effort was deflected into the net by Clare defender Ellen Casey (2-9 to 0-6). Orla Hickey put in a big shift at midfield and hit two second half points.
Waterford emptied the bench and substitute Roisin Kirwan rifled over an eye catching point from the stand sideline. Another replacement Alannah McNulty got two in the space of a minute.
