Waterford 1-10
Dublin 0-08

Waterford maintained their flawless start to the Lidl National Ladies Football League with a fully deserved five-point victory over All-Ireland champions Dublin in Dungarvan.

Emma Murray, Bríd McMaugh, and Áine O’Neill were outstanding, while Lauren McGregor’s crucial first-half goal proved the difference as Tomás Mac an tSaoir’s side claimed another landmark win. It leaves Dublin with three defeats from three in this year’s league.

Dublin began brightly, opening the scoring after three minutes through Sophie McIntyre following a strong run, before Kate Donaghy doubled their advantage with a well-worked point.

Katie Murray set up Áine O’Neill for Waterford’s opener, but Jodi Egan responded quickly to restore Dublin’s two-point cushion, 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes. The hosts soon settled, with Chloe Fennell converting a close-range free before McMaugh levelled matters with a fine score.

McMaugh then took centre stage, adding two more points to give Waterford breathing space, while a brilliant block from McIntyre denied Kellyann Hogan a goal chance. Player of the Match Emma Murray then powered through several challenges to split the posts on 20 minutes as the Déise grew in confidence.

Dublin found inspiration through a superb strike from Orlagh Nolan, but two minutes later, Waterford struck for the game’s only goal. Murray’s shot dropped short and was spilled by Abby Shiels, allowing McGregor to pounce and fire home, sending Waterford in at the break with a deserved 1-6 to 0-4 lead.

Waterford nearly added a second goal early in the second half, only for Shiels to deny Maeve Daly. Daly quickly recycled possession to set up Ruby Browne, extending the lead to six, before Hogan made it seven shortly after.

Michelle Davoren kept Dublin ticking over, with Laura Grendon and Niamh Hetherton narrowing the gap to four approaching the final quarter. However, Hogan steadied the ship with a free, while Karen McGrath and Laura Mulcahy produced a series of vital defensive interventions.

Áine O’Neill then struck a superb point to ease any lingering nerves. Although Annabelle Timothy responded for Dublin, Waterford were never seriously threatened as they cruised to a third successive victory, further underlining their growing title credentials.

Scorers – Waterford:
B McMaugh 0-3, L McGregor 1-0, K Hogan 0-2 (1f), Á O’Neill 0-2, E Murray, R Browne, C Fennell 0-1 each.

Dublin:
S McIntyre, O Nolan, K Donaghy, N Hetherton, J Egan, L Grendon, M Davoren, A Timothy 0-1 each.

WATERFORD:
K Gardiner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; Á O’Neill, K McGrath, R Browne; E Power, E Murray (capt.); K Murray, C Fennell, M Daly; L McGregor, K Hogan, B McMaugh.
Subs: C Walsh for C Fennell (44); J Queally for L McGregor (52); A McGrath for M Daly (52); L Cusack for B McMaugh (54); A Hahesy for E Power (58); L Ní Harta for Á O’Neill (58); T Ní Chrotaigh for K Murray (58); H McGrath for R Browne (58); O Kennedy for C Murray (59).

DUBLIN:
A Shiels; N Crowley, A Nyhan, N Donlan; M Davoren, H Leahy, E Gribben; R Hartnett, H McGinnis; S McIntyre, O Nolan (capt.), K Donaghy; N Hetherton, J Egan, L Grendon.
Subs: A Timothy for K Donaghy (37); O Keighran for J Egan (37); K Kenehan for N Donlan (48); E Kearney for H McGinnis (55).