Waterford 2-12
Kerry 1-11

Waterford made it two wins from two in the Lidl Ladies Division 1 League with a deserved four-point victory over reigning champions Kerry at a windswept Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Bank Holiday Monday.

Bríd McMaugh starred for the Déise with 1-4, including a superb second-half goal, as Waterford impressed despite playing into a strong breeze for much of the game.

Both teams came into the contest after away wins in Round 1, with Kerry beating Dublin and Waterford overcoming Armagh. Waterford adapted quickly to the new rules and used the “solo and go” to great effect throughout.

Kerry started brightly and led early through points from Niamh Ní Chonchúir and Danielle O’Leary. However, Waterford hit back in devastating fashion when Lauren McGregor rounded Eilís Lynch and finished clinically to the net after a flowing move involving McMaugh and Katie Murray.

Chloe Fennell and Siofra O’Shea exchanged frees before Rachel Dwyer edged Kerry back in front. The game ebbed and flowed, with McMaugh and Jadyn Lucey trading scores, and further points from Fennell, Kellyanne Hogan, and O’Shea saw the sides level at the break, Kerry 0-8 to Waterford 1-5.

Kerry opened the second half with a point from Dwyer, but Waterford struck decisively moments later when McMaugh lobbed the goalkeeper for a brilliant second goal following fine work from Áine O’Neill and Clare Walsh.

McMaugh added another point before Kerry replied through Dwyer’s well-taken goal. However, Waterford took control again as TG4 Player of the Match McMaugh, a superb two-pointer from Fennell, and another fine score pushed the visitors clear at 2-10 to 1-9.

Kerry fought back late through Dwyer and O’Shea, with O’Shea rattling the crossbar in the closing moments. Despite being reduced to 14 players after Hannah McGrath was sin-binned, Waterford held firm. Late points from Katie Murray and Fennell sealed a memorable win for the Déise.