Irish Daily Star Camogie League – Tipperary 2-12 Dublin 1-6

Tipperary have qualified for the Division 1 semi-finals of the Irish Daily Star Camogie League by virtue of their nine-point win over Dublin in The Ragg and Clare’s 15-point reverse at the hands of a thriving Galway at the Clooney GAA grounds.

They will play Kilkenny in the last four but defending champions Galway, who topped Group 1 with five straight wins, have to wait to find out who their opponents will be as All-Ireland victors Cork must take on Limerick in a play-off next Sunday to determine the runners-up position in a remarkably competitive Group 2.

It has been a long time since the once all-powerful Premier County sat at the top table of camogie, their last national title coming 12 years ago, when they won the All-Ireland to complete a famous league and championship double. It is too early to say whether or not that spell in the wilderness is coming to an end but the underage work of recent seasons is clearly beginning to bear fruit.

The first half was very evenly contested and the sides were separated only by a goal from Jenny Grace, going in at the break on 1-5 to 0-5. It was notable though that Grace was unerring in punishing the indiscipline of Dublin defenders from placed balls and she finished with 1-8 of the Tipperary tally in their 2-12 to 1-6 success, five of those points coming from frees.

Orla Beagan did score a goal following a mix-up in the home defence in the 42nd minute to give the visitors some hope but it was the only real slip from the excellent Tipp back division. Meanwhile, Mairead Teehan drove them on from midfield in very difficult weather conditions and when substitute Róisín Howard drove to the net with five minutes remaining, the result was secured.

Tipperary Scorers: J.Grace 1-08, S.Quirke 0-02, S.Fryday 0-01, M.Teehan 0-01, R.Howard 1-00
Dublin Scorers: O.Beagan 1-03, E.Flanagan 0-02, L.Twomey 0-01