Waterford seeking first-ever league final appearance

A general view as Waterford goalkeeper Katelyn Gardiner takes a kick out. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile.

WATERFORD have their sights set on a first Lidl National League Division 1 final appearance since 2002 as they get ready for Sunday’s home tie with Meath.

It's one of 16 games across another weekend of Ladies Football NFL action – Waterford are the only team in the top flight boasting a 100 per cent record as they sit proudly on top of the pile.

Dublin, the reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior champions, are in trouble, bottom of the table and yet to register a point after three outings.

And in this relegation dogfight, they meet second from bottom Kildare, who have a point from their three games to date.

Meanwhile Joe Carroll's Cork, on their return to the top flight, are motoring well. The Leesiders remain unbeaten and are just two points behind pace-setters Waterford. They face Kerry in Tralee on Sunday, the Kingdom with two wins from three outings and this Munster derby has a pivotal feel about it in the hunt for top tier silverware.

After an important win away to Armagh last Sunday, Cork have opted for an unchanged starting line-up.

Kerry, in contrast, have made six changes to the team that accounted for Meath last time out.

Eabha Ni Laighin, Kelli McGrath, Niamh Carmody, Kelly Enright, Rachel Dwyer and Niamh Quinn are all handed starts, as they replace Kathryn Ryan, the injured Cáit Lynch, Katie Brosnan, Anna Galvin, Danielle O’Leary and Leah McMahon.

This has been a dream League season to date for Waterford. The Déise are out on their own at the top – and with three wins from three games.

Waterford have not contested a Division 1 final since 2002 but a fourth successive win in 2026 would put them within touching distance of Parnell Park in April.

There’s still work to be done, however, and they face a Meath team smarting from defeat to Kerry.

The visitors would rekindle their own final hopes with a victory and the Royals do need the win here.

After defeating Dublin, there’s one change to the Waterford starting team, with Clare Walsh replacing Ruby Browne.