The intercounty offering
63 years of waiting came to an end this year as the Waterford camogie team lined out in Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-finals.
A team that was relegated to Division 2 of the league last year, they set their sights on the Championship in 2022 and delivered.
It was not a year without incident, however, and it was not plain sailing.
The league was where Derek Lyons tested out the work that had gone in during pre-season.
Wins against Westmeath (0.14 - 0.4), Kilkenny (0.14 - 0.4) and Tipperary (4.10 - 0.00) saw them book their place in the Division 2 semi-final with Wexford, and in with a chance of getting promoted at the first time of asking.
That game with Wexford in Carlow did not go to plan and gave the players their first taste of heartache for the season. They would be staying in Division 2 for 2023. Wexford would go on to hammer Antrim in the final.
While they had missed out on the chance at going back up there was plenty to be excited about. The county had a new captain in Lorraine Bray who had been scintillating in her performances and the team were stacked with talent in every line of the pitch. By the end of the year that would be proven with 7 All-Star nominations for the Déise.
With attention turning to the Championship in May, there was an opening-day shock with Dublin taking a two-point win in Walsh Park. The panic button did not need to be hit though as the team rallied in their next two games.
They returned the favour to Wexford, beating them at the Keanes Road venue. It was a tone-setting performance for Waterford who had come short against the Yellow Bellies in the league semi. They hammered their opponents 3.18 to 0.09. That performance was backed up with another win which had been a long time coming.
Tipperary had proven to be a bogey team for Waterford. They had not ever beaten the Premier at senior level and had come unstuck against them four years in a row at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage. This day in Semple Stadium was to be different. The years of hurt had boiled over and Lyon's team were not to be denied.
They thumped the Premier by six points with Abby Flynn raising the crucial green flag, while skipper Bray kept the scoreboard ticking throughout the afternoon. It's a result that had been a long time coming and proved to be a pivotal one in their season.
While they were beaten by Cork the next time out, they returned to beat Clare in Cusack Park to round out the group phase. It was a thrilling game in Ennis that secured second spot in the group, and booked them into the All-Ireland semi-final for the first time in 63 years.
Heading to Croke Park was an entirely new experience for Waterford at this level. They were up against Cork with Davy Fitz on their sideline.
Cork were given plenty to think about in the first half and would trail by five points early in the second stanza. The late overturning of Aisling Thompson's suspension proved to be the deciding factor in the clash with the midfielder hugely influencing the flow of the game.
As the second half wore on, Cork managed to get a grip - in large part thanks to Thompson's dogged work - and the Rebels wrestled the game back from the Déise.
By the time the full-time whistle sounded Waterford were out on their feet and had to accept defeat at the hands of the better team.
Not long after the year came to an end, it was confirmed that Derek Lyons would not be returning for 2023. The Dungarvan native had given two years to the side and had overseen the most successful year in recent memory.
Seán Power will be the man to take the helm in 2023. The Mount Sion boasts plenty of pedigree having managed the Waterford minor hurlers to All-Ireland glory in 2013 as well as managing the Under-21 hurlers to the same success in 2016.
By the time the intercounty year came to an end, Waterford had been given the nod for seven All-Star nominations - a record for the county. Two gongs were taken home from Croke Park with both captain Lorraine Bray and sharp shooter Beth Carton in the winners enclosure.
New champions in club game
Gailltír have long been the dominant side in Waterford camogie. The barony girls have swept through the county and carried on to fly the Waterford flag outside of the county, winning the All-Ireland.
In 2022 however, that was all to change. De La Salle had set their sights on the county title having come short on two occasions at the hands of Gailltír.
A thrilling county final played out in Carriganore with a huge crowd in attendance to soak in the offering from the two best teams in the county.
While the defending champions were leading by 5 points at the break, Salle were inspired in the second half with the 16-year-old Maggie Gostl goaling, which was then followed by player of the macth Keeley Corbett Barry bursting up the pitch to send a point for the ages over the bar.
Shot stopper Brianna O Regan earned her crust also, pulling off a body-on-the-line save to deny a certain goal-scoring chance for Gailltír. while she may not have earned the player of the match accolade, Beth Carton was putting in her usual heroics, scoring 7 points.
With the club only 15 years old, this win was a huge one. They had knocked on the door on a couple of occasions, and finally, it opened.
John Mullane went wild on the sideline as the wave of emotion poured over those in attendance.
For the first time ever, Salle would represent Waterford in Munster. Given the option of playing at Carriganore, Salle opted to stay at home in Gracedieu. Tipperary Champions Drom & Inch came to Waterford for the semi-final which proved to be a scintillating game.
While Drom & Inch had proven to be the better side, they were not afforded the luxury of an easy afternoon. Carton was once again sublime scoring 11 points. Maggie Gostl got three from play while goalkeeper Brianna O'Regan landed a massive free from her own half. Goals from Niamh Treacy, Joanne Ryan and Niamh Long saw the Tipperary champions progress to the provincial final.
Extra time was needed on the day with Carton sending over the equaling score at the death. In the first period of extra time, the Tipp side drove two nails into the coffin however. Two quick-fire goals quenched any hopes of De La Salle making another piece of history.
While Gailltír supporters won't appreciate the sentiment - this change in champions was likely needed. We now head to the 2023 club championship with options as to who can win. When games begin next summer it will be likely be set up as the most exciting championship we've had in some years.
