Waterford are through to the All Ireland Camogie Semi Finals for the third time in four years after a hard fought win over Clare on Saturday afternoon (2-20 to 2-10). The Déise’s first victory in Croke Park since the 2015 All Ireland intermediate success against Kildare.

In a game much closer than the ten point margin suggests, goals in either half from Annie Fitzgerald and Niamh Rockett proved crucial. Rockett continued her superb season with a personal tally of 1-11 (1-4 from play). Vikki Falconer was immense at corner back. Dogged, determined and dominant. This was her first appearance at GAA HQ since she suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 2023 All Ireland final.

Towering Clare full forward Áine O’Loughlin raised two green flags in the first half including a goal of the year contender to the roof of Brianna O’Regan’s net. The Banner hunted and hounded the Déise until Rockett’s goal five minutes from the time settled the issue.

Annie Fitzgerald’s injury time major gave Waterford a 1-11 to 2-5 advantage at the break. Abby Flynn was denied a green flag in the opening minute as Susan Daly and Clare Hehir put their bodies on the line. A sign of things to come as Clare outworked Waterford in the opening half. The teams were deadlocked at three points each when Beth Carton was awarded a penalty in the ninth minute. The 2023 Player of the Year stepped up but Banner number one Rachael Daly got down low to save. Four Daly sisters started for the saffron and blue!

Back to back Niamh Rockett points, both set up by Flynn, helped Waterford into a 6-4 lead. On the quarter hour, Áine O’Loughlin fetched a high ball from Róisín Begley and unleashed a bullet that whizzed past Brianna O’Regan to the top of the onion bag. The Déise regained the lead through Rockett and Flynn before O’Loughlin struck again. This time, the full forward booted the sliotar to the bottom corner (2-4 to 0-8). Mick Boland’s side bounced back with three Rockett frees. In the fourth minute of added time, Flynn fed Fitzgerald and she made no mistake to give Waterford a flattering three point lead at halfway.

There was still only a puck of a ball between them with eight minutes left. O’Loughlin continued to cause problems for the Waterford defence during the third quarter and full back Clare Hehir nailed three frees. Captain Lorraine Bray got two points at the other end as Waterford struggled to shrug off a full blooded Banner effort.

Two Rockett points settled the leaders before the 2020 All Star flicked the ball to the net on 55 minutes after Maggie Gostl supplied the assist. Rockett’s first Croke Park goal. Waterford could run the bench in the closing stages as Rockett and Fitzgerald added late singles.

The Big Match on WLR with thanks to Supermac’s.