2026 Centra Camogie Leagues Division 1A Final – Galway 0-13 Waterford 0-11

Centra Camogie Leagues Division 1A Final

Galway defeated Waterford by 0-13 to 0-11 in the Centra Camogie Leagues Division 1A Final on Sunday April 12th at UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny.

Match Highlights

Dolan delivers for Galway again to deny improving Déise

By Daragh Ó Conchúir at UPMC Nowlan Park

Galway 0-13 Waterford 0-11

Galway ended a run of two consecutive final defeats to add the Centra Camogie League Division 1A title to the All-Ireland championship they already possess from last August.

The westerners lived on their nerves however, but their experience of finals perhaps told down the stretch, as they scored the last three points to squeeze home by two.

From Waterford’s perspective, this will hurt but the progress they are making is evident.

They will regret a slow and ponderous start with a strong wind at their backs, when they could make nothing stick and were slow and ponderous in possession, leading to Niamh Rockett and Mairéad O’Brien being let down by poor service, or no service.

Thanks to O’Brien, when relocated to the half-forward line, Clodagh Carroll, Vikki Falconer and skipper Lorraine Bray, among others, they got themselves a foothold in the game and at it was tiny margins that decided.

Carrie Dolan was monumental for the winners though, her seven-point contribution just one element of an all-action display. The team captain was involved in everything, and with Ciara Hickey, Róisín Black, Dervla Higgins like rocks in defence and Caoimhe Kelly hitting two points after coming off the bench, Cathal Murray’s crew got over the line.

Time and again Waterford players took the ball into contact and were turned over in the first quarter, which is a testament to Galway’s trademark work rate and physicality but it the lack of speed was a worry, as was the poor execution.

And so the All-Ireland champions moved to an early 3-1 lead, even though Beth Carton sent over from tight to the sideline to open the scoring, Dolan converting frees either side of a Shannon Corcoran point.

Keeley Corbertt Barry did get a point but she didn’t see O’Brien standing completely unmarked inside her, and a goal chance went abegging.

They began to settle and get to the pitch of proceedings though and actually hit the front in the 24th minute, when after Rachel Hanniffy pointed for Galway, the Déise hit three on the trot from Rockett (free), Abby Flynn and O’Brien, who had just been moved to the half-forward line.

Waterford were in front and you could see the belief growing. Galway would have been pleased to go in at the interval level at 0-7 apiece, given the elements, but at the same time, the Déise will have felt that they were now in the game.

And so it proved. Galway were unable to get Aoife Donohue and Niamh Mallon involved as much as they would like as the levels ratcheted ever upwards. It wasn’t always pretty but it was so honest.

Over and back the scoring went. Waterford led through Rockett, then it was Galway through a Dolan brace. Then Waterford again, O’Brien’s sensational score preceding a Rockett free at the three-quarter mark.

Waterford supporters felt they might have had a penalty as Bray thundered through but was sent to the ground by a shuddering Black tackle. Liz Dempsey did not concur.

Maggie Gostl did well off the bench for Waterford, and after Kelly equalised, she supplied O’Brien who put Waterford ahead again in the 49th minute. Once more it was a classy effort but crucially, and decisively, it was the last score Mick Boland’s side would register.

Galway don’t panic in these conditions. Dolan levelled and after Brianna O’Regan made an astounding full-length save from Mairéad Dillon, the skipper nudged the Tribeswomen ahead on the hour.

Those were her first two scores from play. Cometh the hour and all that. Kelly made it a two-point game and that was enough.

Carrie Dolan of Galway, referee Liz Dempsey, Lorraine Bray of Waterford
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/David Ribeiro

SCORERS FOR GALWAY: C Dolan 0-7(5fs); C Kelly 0-2; R Hanniffy, C Hickey, N McPeake, S Corcoran 0-1 each.

SCORERS FOR WATERFORD: M O’Brien, N Rockett(fs) 0-3 each; B Carton 0-2; K Corbett Barry, E O’Neill, A Flynn 0-1 each

GALWAY: S Healy, R Hanniffy, R Black, D Higgins, K Manning, C Hickey, K A Porter, J Hughes, C Dolan, N Mallon, N McPeake, A Donohue, S Corcoran, M Dillon, A Barry.
Subs: C Kelly for Barry (41); N Niland for Corcoran (55), N McInerney for Mallon (60+1)

WATERFORD: B O’Regan, A McNulty, K Corbett Barry, V Falconer, R Walsh, C Carroll, L Forrest, O Hickey, L Bray, E O’Neill, B Carton, A Flynn, M O’Brien, N Rockett, B Bowdren. Subs: C Sherlock for Bowdren (ht), M Gostle for O’Neill (41), R Kirwan for Flynn (45), A O’Sullivan for O’Brien (60)

REFEREE: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)

Match Preview

Opportunity knocks as Waterford eye history against Galway in Centra Camogie League Final
By Brian Barry

Centra Camogie League Division 1A Final
Waterford vs Galway, 2:15pm Sunday
UPMC Nowlan Park
Live on RTÉ 2

Waterford and Galway’s meeting in round two of the Centra Camogie League on 28th February seems a world away now.

Trudging off the field, possibly still recovering from jet-lag after a belated return from their team holiday in New York, the Tribe were left to lick their wounds after a second straight defeat. With games away to Tipperary and high-flying Antrim still to come, along with the visit of Cork in the final round, the reigning All-Ireland champions suddenly found themselves worrying about the previously inconceivable notion of relegation.

Cathal Murray’s charges had a mountain to climb. But recent weeks have seen them get back on track. They came through the two away assignments, but still needed a result at home to old foes Cork to secure their Division 1A status for 2027. Ultimately, the Westerners looked after their end of the bargain, with results elsewhere going their way, to secure what had appeared to be an unlikely final berth.

Coming out of Kenny Park six weeks ago, there was a pep in the Déise’s step. Heading back Suir-side with two wins over Cork and Galway, Michael Boland’s charges were clearly the form team in Ireland. Further wins ensured they had their business done before the final round meeting with Tipperary.

It is the county’s first ever visit to a league final, and it is expected that the stands in UPMC Nowlan Park will be full of white-and-blue on Sunday afternoon.
The Munster side will be hoping to continue that wave of momentum.

“There is a good buzz in the camp,” Waterford’s Orla Hickey said at the Centra Camogie League Finals launch. “It’s absolutely great to be in a final. First time Waterford has been in a Division 1A final. So it’s absolutely brilliant.”

Team News

Galway: Laura Freeney; Róisín Black, Dervla Higgins, Rachael Hanniffy; Jennifer Hughes, Katie Manning, Fiona Ryan; Katie Anna Porter, Carrie Dolan (captain); Aoife Donohue, Ciara Hickey, Niamh Mallon; Kayla Madden, Niamh McPeake, Shannon Corcoran.
Manager: Cathal Murray.

Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Keeley Corbett Barry, Clodagh Carroll, Vikki Falconer; Rachael Walsh, Orla Hickey, Eimear O’Neill; Lorraine Bray (captain), Beth Carton; Niamh Rockett, Rebecca Farrell, Abby Flynn; Alannah McNulty, Sarah Lacey, Mairéad O’Brien.
Manager: Michael Boland.