Under 16B Munster Championship Round 1 – Tipperary Ladies ‘V’ Waterford Ladies
Whilst many persons in Tipperary were looking forward to celebrating La Feile Padraig on Thursday 17th March, for Tipperary Ladies Under 16 football team there was the not so small matter of a Munster championship encounter with near neighbours Waterford Ladies. These two teams had met in last year’s Munster under 16 B final where Waterford had prevailed by five points after a fine game of football, 4:12 to 4:07. This encounter had effectively ended Tipperary’s 2015 campaign. Waterford though had the advantage in 2015 of playing preliminary games in the ‘A’ grade with a subsequent regrading to the ‘B’ competition on appeal and eventually went on to win the All Ireland B series outright.
Clonmel sports field was the venue with throw in at 2pm and it was hoped that the home support would sway the result in Tipperary’s favour. Conditions were dry and sunny with a fresh breeze blowing from the town end. Tipp’s Marie Creedon was first to register a score from play following a fine strong run down the middle the middle. A Caoimhe Ryan point saw Tipp with a two point lead on nine minutes. Tipp’s Aine O Dwyer added a third point with ten minutes played. Waterford now began to settle and had their first point from corner forward Abby Dunphy with eighteen minutes on the clock. A pointed free from Waterford full forward Kaiesha Tobin now saw just one point between the teams with twenty minutes played. Both sides had plenty plenty of possessionin the opening half but were overplaying the ball in the forward line when scores were on. Many attacks broke down for both teams when players over carried the ball. An Angela McGuigan free for Tipp and a second point for Caoimhe Ryan less than a minute later restored Tipp’s three point advantage. Half time score Tipperary :05 Waterford :02.
During this half Tipperary were the better team but had not converted their numerous chances registering nine wides in total. Waterford too were guilty of some poor wides but this game was far from over.
The second half began with Tipperary playing against the wind but they were first to score when midfielder Anna Carey pointed on nine minutes. Despite enjoying the best of the early possession Tipperary could not pull away. The Waterford ladies tightened up defensively and began to attack on the break. Waterford came more into the game and began to ask questions of the Tipp ladies. Tipperary were forced into conceding frees in their back line which kept Waterford in touch. A point by Waterford’s free taker and full forward Kaiesha Tobin saw just three between the sides with twenty minutes gone in the second half. When Waterford’s half back Kelly Corbett -Barry pointed a beautiful point with nine minutes remaining to leave just two between the sides the crowd began to get behind the Deise girls.
The Waterford girls began to look for the goal which would win the game but their best chance of the game was well saved by Tipp keeper Nicola O’Dwyer and the home support breathed a sigh of relief. Waterford were finishing strongly and when their number ten Kelly Ann Hogan kicked point number five for Waterford just the minimum separated the sides. The Tipp backs were now got on top at this point and broke up the following two attacks to deny the Waterford girls the victory. Tipp’s return from play in the second half of just one score could have cost them dearly but Waterford too lacked the killer instinct up front. Both sets of management teams will no doubt look to address this failing for the remaining rounds and these two sides could well end up meeting again in Munster. Tipperary will next take on Limerick on Saturday 2nd April.
Final Score Tipperary 0-6 Waterford 0-5.
Tipperary : Nicola O’Dwyer, Lauren Dowling, Caoimhe Comerford, Emma Cronin, Sarah Delaney, Rachel O’Donnell, Caitlin Kennedy, Anna Rose Kennedy, Anna Carey (01), Aine O’Dwyer (01), Marie Creedon (01), Roisin Daly (Capt), Lauren McCormack, Angela McGuigan (01(f), Caoimhe Ryan (02). Subs Used, Christina Delaney, Saoirse O’Meara & Katie Cunningham.
Panel: Saoirse Fanning, Aine Hahessy, Aoibhinn Fanning, Ciara Halpin, Ellie Ryan, Emma Ryan, Linda Murphy, Niamh Keane, Niamh Martin, Niamh Ryan, Sadhbh Leahy, Laura Stocksborough.
Tipperary Minor Ladies are into competitive action on Monday 28th March with an away fixture against Cork. Match will be played in Eire Og GAA grounds, Ovens, Co Cork. Tipperary will contest the ‘A’ championship in 2016 and will need to win at least one fixture against either Cork or Kerry (9th April at home) in their second fixture to progress to a Munster final.
The under 14 Tipp ladies having won their three fixtures in the Munster ‘B’ Championship will next play Cork who were defeated by Kerry in the ‘A’ championship first round on Saturday March 19th. A win here will see Tipperary under 14 ladies contest a Munster ‘A’ championship final.
Tipperary Intermediates will be back into competitive action after a two week rest period on Sunday 3rd April (home game). Next up for this team are Roscommon which is bound to be a tight affair. Tipp and Roscommon are placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the league table, both on twelve points with five rounds played with Tipperary ahead on scoring difference. The top four teams from this group will contest the league semi finals which now looks like being between Waterford, Tipperary, Roscommon and Wexford with two rounds remaining.
Congrats to Liam Shinnick Cahir on his recent presentation from the LGFA. Liam was awarded the President’s award for his contribution to Ladies Football both at club, county, provincial and National levels over many years.
