Waterford will play Senior Championship Football in 2024, as they were 14 point winners over Cavan in Crettyard, sending them down to the Intermediate grade next year.

Not a familiar sight seeing Waterford in Navy and Cavan in White, but that was the case ahead of throw in, a game where the prize was safety, it was tight in the opening exchanges, but Waterford’s running was hard to match.

Kellyann Hogan, Lauren McGregor and the Murray contingent were all at their sparkling best, while Sadbha Hallihan goaled in the opening half, a big score that saw them stretch a lead they never lost.

Cavan started on the front foot, Aishling Sheridan was at the end of a move that cut open the Waterford defence, she grabbed the opening point in the opening minute, a sniff of a goal chance being so close to goal, but the shot went over the bar, Aisling Gilsenan gave them a two point lead after eight minutes.

The Deise responded well, Lauren McGregor and three points from Kellyann Hogan built a two point lead at the end of the opening quarter, Aine Smith sent over a fine point to make it a one point game, but at the other end Sadbha Hallihan palmed the ball to the net after a Lauren McGregor shot dropped short and is saved by the Cavan keeper Roisin O’Reilly.

Waterford pressed on from that score, despite McGregor being sent to the bin with a yellow card after 22 minutes, points from Hogan, Hallinan and Katie Murray, giving them a 1-08 to 0-03 lead at the break.

Murray had a goal chance for Waterford saved well by O’Reilly in the second half, as the teams started to exchange scores in the early minutes, Annie Dennher and Cara McCaffrey, who was tasked with frees for Cavan in the second half, while for Waterford McGregor and Murray both added points.

McCaffrey added three points in a row to cut the gap, but the Deise were still looking strong in front of goal, McGregor and Brid McMaugh putting Waterford ten ahead, 1-15 to 0-18. They finished with a flurry as Catherine Hynes, McGregor and McMaugh, who kicked three in a cameo from the bench, capped off a strong outing to see them remain in the Senior grade.