Waterford’s hopes of reaching the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship quarter-finals were dashed after a dramatic 2-15 to 1-17 defeat to Armagh at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

The Déise produced a spirited second-half comeback and came agonisingly close to snatching a draw in the closing seconds, but Armagh held on to secure a home quarter-final and a place in the last eight.

Having suffered heartbreak against Cork a week earlier, Waterford once again found themselves narrowly on the wrong side of the result despite a determined display.

The game burst into life from the opening whistle. Áine O’Neill and Kellyann Hogan landed early two-pointers for Waterford. Still, Armagh responded with a goal from Lara Marsden and a series of scores from Kelly Mallon, Lauren McConville, and Blaithin Mackin.

Waterford battled back through Bríd McMaugh and Maeve Daly to edge in front during the first quarter, but Armagh regained control when Aoife McCoy found the net for their second goal. The Orchard County finished the half strongly to lead 2-7 to 0-8 at the break.

Waterford remained in touch after the restart thanks to the accuracy of Hogan, but Armagh continued to keep their noses in front through scores from Aimee Mackin and McCoy.

When Armagh opened up a seven-point advantage with nine minutes remaining, the game appeared to be slipping away from the Déise. However, Waterford refused to give up.

Katie Murray and Lauren McGregor reduced the deficit before Maeve Daly blasted to the net after excellent work from McGregor. Chloe Fennell then converted a free to leave just a point between the teams and set up a tense finale.

Although Caroline O’Hanlon steadied Armagh with two late scores, Waterford still had one final opportunity to rescue the game. Fennell’s free in the dying moments looked destined to level the contest, only for the effort to be tipped onto the crossbar before Armagh scrambled clear.

The result means Armagh advance to the quarter-finals, while Waterford must now turn their attention to the relegation series as they bid to preserve their senior championship status.

Despite the disappointment, Waterford can take plenty of positives from a brave display that saw them battle to the very end against one of the championship’s strongest sides.

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