Waterford find top gear to see off rivals

These sides have encapsulated what is best about women's football in recent years and their meeting in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon was no different. On this occasion, Waterford were first to get on top of their game and were never headed afterwards, setting themselves up for their sixth All-Ireland title of the decade.

In front of an encouraging turnout, Rebecca Hallahan and Mary O'Donnell displayed some impressive linking-up from the start as they combined to put Waterford two points up in as many minutes. Edal Byrne snatched one for Monaghan, but with Annalisa Crotty moving up from the back for Waterford and the ever-reliable Aine Wall also in form, things were not looking good for the Ulster side.

Crotty set up Geraldine O'Ryan for Waterford's goal just before the 20-minute mark. The Monaghan defence seemed vulnerable, and when O'Ryan was given the space there was never any question where the ball was going.

To their credit, Monaghan did not buckle, and the move of Angela Larkin in to full forward proved significant. She added two important points from frees before the end of the half to keep them within striking distance, 1-6 to 0-6, at the half-time break.

Unfortunately for them, Waterford still had more in reserve. Wall had left the game with an injury, but Niamh Barry was proving a capable substitute, and team captain Claire Ryan was also having her say. By nine minutes into the half the lead was six points, and Waterford momentarily eased off.

Soon after, Larkin sent a high ball into the Waterford scoring zone and Margaret Kierans quickly latched onto it and sent it across the goal and into the corner.

Suddenly just the two points down and watching Hallahan walk to the sideline for an elbow to Edel Byrne, Waterford were forced into overdrive. In a matter of minutes Olivia Condon and Geraldine O'Ryan helped restore a more comfortable advantage.

Monaghan's Niamh Kindlon had her goal attempt blast off the crossbar as the game moved away from them despite a point from midfielder Jenny Greenan. Barry's second point and one from fellow substitute Deidre Nagle closed out the game.

Waterford: S Hickey; T White, S O'Ryan, N Walsh; A Crotty (0-2), O Condon (0-1), J Torpey; M O'Ryan, C Casey; R Hallahan (0-3), M O'Donnell (0-1), M Troy; A Wall (0-1), C Ryan (capt) (0-2), G O'Ryan (1-2). Subs: N Barry (0-2) for Wall (22 mins), D Nagle (0-1) for Casey (51 mins).

Monaghan: M Gray; B McAnespie, A O'Reilly, M Croarkin; C Reilly, A O'Reilly, M Kelly; J Greenan (0-1), L Gartlan; E Byrne (0- 3, one free), A Larkin (0-4, all frees), N Kindlon; M Kierans (1-0), D Dempsey, C McGuinness (0-1). Subs: L Freeman for Dempsey (50 mins); B Swift for Gartlan (53 mins); J Treanor for Reilly (54 mins).

Referee: E O'Hare (Down).