Waterford not content with history, they want silverware

On Sunday, Waterford play in their first ever National League Division 1A camogie final where they will face Galway

Lorraine Bray, captain of Waterford. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Waterford make the short trip to UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday, and by reaching their first Centra National League Division 1A camogie final this team has already made history.

They won’t be content with that alone though; they are looking for the grand prize in what will be a stern test against All-Ireland champions Galway (2.15pm, RTÉ).

Lorraine Bray is Waterford’s captain again this year.

Player of the Match when they won the All-Ireland intermediate championship in 2015, the dynamic All-Star midfielder continues to excel.

The Déise have already defeated the Tribeswomen this term, but the Cappoquin clubwoman knows that fixture will be non-related.

“We’ve beat them earlier on, but this will be a different Galway team,” she insists.

“We know exactly what they are going to bring. Even last year when we played them, just the strength they hit us with was unreal.

“We are going to put our best foot forward. We’ve had strong performances throughout the league so we will carry that with us into the final.

“We didn’t turn up against Tipp (final group game, but were already qualified) and we hold our hands up. It was a chance to give girls an opportunity and get game time. We made some changes and that was important too, we wouldn’t be here without the panel. Tipp came with all guns blazing and were well deserving of the win.

“It is a learning curve for us.” 

A 'Pedal for the Déise' Spinathon was undertaken a couple of weeks ago to raise funds for the year ahead. The unwavering support the girls receive hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“It’s all down to the supporters and you genuinely feel you have another player on the field with them getting behind you, especially if you have momentum at all.

“I’ve said it before, we love the atmosphere in Nowlan Park, the crowd seem like they are on the pitch with you.

“We’ve had great support again this year with messages galore coming in up to the final. I feel it’s building every year. Even the younger girls coming into the panel, they’ve a huge backing behind them.” 

They’ve had to overcome adversity to get where they are. After reaching the 2023 All-Ireland final, they lost heavily to Cork. Last year, they were forced to regroup following the departure of manager Jerry Wallace, and Mick Boland took over.

“In fairness, Mick held it all together when there was disruption. And he has brought that form into this year which is fantastic.

“During the league you’re testing any sort of a tactic because it is an opportunity to do it before you come into the championship,” the childcare worker in Ballyporeen says.

Victory would give them a bounce in their step for the upcoming provincial campaign and a quarter-final with Clare. If they navigate their way to the final, it will be played as a double-header with a Munster SHC tie.

“Playing double-headers has 100 percent raised the prestige of the Munster championship and it gets you used to those bigger games on matchday, even the sound of the crowd is totally different. It definitely helps us on the field.

“We’ll take every opportunity we can. It’s massive. We look forward to more events like that in the future.” 

For now, it’s all about Sunday and trying to get their hands on the Division 1A trophy.

“We need to win, especially the older ones of us. I’m going into my 14th or 15th year. Niamh (Rockett) would be 16 or 17 years. No silverware at top level league, we’ve had Division 1B.

“We’d never say no to silverware in Waterford.”