Tipperary made the journey to St. Rynagh’s GAA Grounds, Cloghan, Offaly for their Round 5 game of the Tesco Homegrown National Football League on Sunday. Following an outstanding victory against Sligo last weekend Tipperary were looking forward to competing with All Ireland Junior Championship Competitors, Offaly.
It was a damp dismal day in Offaly and conditions were extremely tough which was reflected in the first half of the game. Tipperary were forced to make a change to their starting fifteen as Gillian O’Brien (Moyle Rovers) picked up an injury during the week and Claire Mullins (Aherlow) assumed the position of mid field. Tipperary were first on the scoreboard with two points in the first ten minutes. Offaly then hit a purple patch in the next ten minutes with Orla Heavey scoring two goals while Aoife Corbett added a point to the score line. Tipperary regained their shape to get three more points before the interval trailing by two points – Offaly 2-1 Tipperary 0-5
Tipperary came out in the second half with a more focused determination and Lorraine O’Shea scored a goal and four points before Mairead Morrissey netted the ball in the tenth minute. Tipperary were on top and a further three points were added to the score line. In the final quarter, Offaly responded with four points but two Edith Carroll goals ended the game as a contest with Tipperary winning out 14 point winners on a score line of Tipperary 4-13 Offaly 2-5
As a result of this win Tipperary are currently third on the League table and their Round 6 game with Longford is at a home venue on March 30th.
Tipperary Team
Aisling O’Connor (Cahir), Rachel Kenneally (Aherlow), Samantha Lambert (Ardfinnan), Sinead Delahunty (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Siobhan Condon (Aherlow), Barbara Ryan (Moyle Rovers – Captain), Niamh Lonergan (Moyle Rovers), Jennifer Grant (Brian Borus), Claire Mullins (Aherlow), Lorraine O’Shea (Mullinahone), Claire Carroll (Galtee Rovers), Edith Carroll (Galtee Rovers), Alison Lonergan (Galtee Rovers), Mairead Morrissey (Brian Borus), Shauna Ryan (Ballymacarbry).
Subs used – Jessica Newman (Clonmel Commercials) for Siobhan Condon (Aherlow), Roisin Horan (St. Patrick’s) for Sinead Delahunty (Foxrock/Cabinteely), Caoimhe Boles (Clonmel Commercials) for Shauna Ryan (Ballymacarbry), Elaine Butler (Clerihan) for Alison Lonergan (Galtee Rovers), Catriona Walsh (Moycarkey Borris) for Mairead Morrissey (Brian Borus), Emer Myles (Cahir) for Claire Mullins (Aherlow).
Scorers –Mairead Morrissey 1-6 (0-2 frees), Lorraine O’Shea 1-4, Edith Carroll 2-0, Claire Carroll 0-2, Jennifer Grant 0-1
By Jonathan Cullen Mon 10th Mar
