TIPPERARY INTERMEDIATE TEAM
By Declan O’Shea, Assistant PRO
The Tipperary Intermediate Ladies football team travelled to Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh on Sunday last for this clash, postponed from its original fixture date of 1st February. With these two teams still seeking their first win in the league this game was something of a crunch tie for both Tipperary and Fermanagh. Tipperary needed a win more as Fermanagh had one draw already to their credit.
Tipperary played with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half but Fermanagh were first to score with a point from play. Tipperary responded well and when a free from Aisling McCarthy in the third minute deceived the Fermanagh keeper they took the lead. This was quickly cancelled out when Fermanagh scored a goal of their own and from then until half time the two teams traded points with Aisling McCarthy and Gillian O’Brien adding a further six points between them (2 frees). The Fermanagh attack were dangerous on the break with their midfielders moving forward at pace. The Tipperary defence were forced into conceding three frees which the Fermanagh number 9, Caroline Little converted with some ease. As the first half ended Tipperary went in two points up but having missed two goal scoring chances were left wondering would this advantage be enough. It is worth mentioning too that this game was played on a 3G artificial surface which did take some getting used to and that the Fermanagh girls were well acquainted with this playing ground. Half time score Tipperary 1-6 Fermanagh 1-4.
On the resumption Fermanagh were first into their stride and looking determined. Two points in quick succession saw them equalise by the thirty ninth minute and Tipperary were finding it difficult to get up the field. When Fermanagh went two points up by the forth fifth minute it looked as if this game was getting away from the Tipperary girls. To their credit they refused to give up and once more found the means to go forward. The attack won two frees which were well converted by Tipperary’s Gillian O’Brien once more drawing the sides level at 1-8 apiece. Almost immediately Tipperary’s goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick pulled off a tremendous save at point blank range from the Fermanagh centre forward, diving full length to her right. This save gave the Tipperary girls some impetus and they again pushed forward. This was a game with no quarter asked and strong physical tackles were going in from both sides. Tipperary’s Aisling McCarthy was unlucky to be sin binned on forty nine minutes when she was dragged to the ground and adjudged to be the guilty one. This was a hammer blow to the Tipperary girls but even with 14 players they continued to press forward looking for the winner. Fermanagh were guilty of three wides in this period due to pressure from the Tipperary defence well marshalled by Captain Barbara Ryan. The Tipperary management introduced four subs in the second half and these fresh legs had an effect with Tipperary pressing once again. With the sides level on 1-8 apiece and time up a loose ball from Tipperary when attempting to go forward for one more attack was seized on by the Fermanagh attack and they made no mistake with the games final score. Full time score – Tipperary 1-8 Fermanagh 1-9.
Tipperary now look forward to a home game this weekend when Wexford are the opposition. With a number of missing players hopefully to return, this game hopes are high of a victory on home ground.
Tipperary team:- Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ardfinnan); Treasa McGrath (Ballymacarbry), Maria Curley (Templemore), Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite); Barbara Ryan (Moyle Rovers, Captain), Louise Cadell (Templemore), Roisin McGrath (Moyle Rovers); Bernie Ryan (Cappawhite), Breda Feeney (Fermoy); Laura Dillon (Ardfinnan), Gillian O’Brien (Moyle Rovers), Aisling McCarthy (Cahir), Shauna Ryan (Ballymacabry), Aoife Ryan (Cappawhite), Aimee Pollard.
Subs used – Elaine Fitzpatrick (Templemore) for Aimee Pollard, Emma Buckley (Cahir) for Aoife Ryan (39 mins), Aoibhe O’Shea for Shauna Ryan (53 mins).
TIPPERARY U16 TEAM
The Tipperary Under 16 Ladies Football team are looking forward to commencing their Munster Championship on Saturday, March 14th against Clare. Clare will host the game, check www.facebook.com/tippladies for fixture details.
TIPPERARY U14 TEAM
The Under 14 team will continue their Munster Championship with a game against host County Limerick on Sunday, March 15th. Fixture details will be available on www.tipperaryladiesfootball.ie once available.
TIPPERARY U16 CHAMPIONSHIP
Under 16 A Results – Bally/Borus 2-5 Moyle Rovers 1-7
Fethard 3-10 Lattin Cullen 0-7
Under 16 B Results – Boherlahan 9-13 Templemore 3-6
Aherlow 5-10 Thurles Sarsfields 4-8
Under 16 C Results – Arravale Rovers 8-8 St. Patrick’s 3-8
Clonmel Commercials 7-11 Cappawhite 5-4
NEW LGFA PRESIDENT
Congratulations to Marie Hickey (Ballylinan, Laois) as she was officially inaugurated as the new President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association. Marie became the twelfth President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association on the final day of the Annual Congress.
HIGHER EDUCATION COMPETITIONS
The higher education competitions were playing their final round games last week. In the O’Connor Cup the University College of Dublin (UCD) hosted Dublin City University (DCU) however, DCU were the stronger on the day, DCU 2-7 UCD 1-7. Lorraine O’Shea, Mullinahone was on the DCU team. The next round in this competition will be held on Saturday March 20th in the Cork Institute of Technology; UCC v DCU and UL v NUIG.
In the Lynch Cup, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) overcame the University of Limerick’s second team (UL2), WIT 3-13 UL2 2-9. The Semi Finals will be held on Saturday March 20th in the Cork Institute of Technology; WIT v DIT and CIT v DCU2.
ALL IRELAND POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEMI FINALS
Congratulations to Colaiste Dun lascaigh, Cahir who defeated Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise in the Tesco All Ireland PPS Senior A Championship in Freshford on Saturday last, Colaiste Dun lascaigh 2-11 Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise 2-7. They now look forward to the All-Ireland Final on Saturday, March 21st. Commiserations to Tipperary girls on the John the Baptist Community School Hospital team who were defeated by Cross & Passion College Killcullen on Saturday last.
UNDER 14 NON COMPETITIVE BLITZ
Well done to all the Under 14 Tipperary Ladies Football Clubs who travelled to a windy Moyle Rovers on Saturday last to play in a non competitive blitz organised by Ed Burke, Development Officer, Tipperary Ladies Football. There was a great turnout on the day and all players had fantastic fun playing football. Thanks to Moyle Rovers GAA Club for providing us with their excellent facilities on the day.
Information concerning Ladies Football will appear in these notes. If you wish to include any item of interest, please contact us at pro@tipperaryladiesfootball.ie before 8pm on Sunday. Visit the Tipperary Ladies Football web site at www.tipperaryladiesfootball.ie to date with all the latest news in Tipperary Ladies Football.
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 10th Mar
