TIPPERARY U16 TEAM
By Declan O’Shea, Assistant PRO
Following two earlier round comprehensive wins against Limerick earlier this month, the under 16 ladies once more found themselves playing Limerick. This time the stakes were a little higher with a coveted Munster title at stake and entry to the All-Ireland series. Tipperary’s form coming into this had, to say the least been convincing but finals are never easily won in any grade or sport for that matter. Conditions for good football were far from ideal with a wet playing surface and thundery showers following heavy overnight rain. The venue was Cahir GAA grounds and a loyal home following travelled to support these Tipperary ladies in their quest for Munster honours. A drawn ‘A’ final and extra time between Cork and Waterford in the first game meant throw in was delayed by thirty minutes from the scheduled 6.30pm start.
Tipperary’s management team had made a number of positional changes from the last match, Grainne Ryan dropping back to corner back and Grainne Condon taking up the left half back position. In midfield Caoimhe Condon now partnered Deirbhile Fitzgerald. Aisling Moloney took up the centre forward position alongside Kate Davey now at left half forward. Evrena Everard moved into right corner forward. These positional changes did not upset the team’s performance as right from the throw in Lara O’Dwyer scored a goal with only forty seconds elapsed. From here on it was a succession of Tipperary scores with Limerick finding no answer to the marauding Tipperary players. Limerick registered their first point from play in the seventh minute and that was as good as it got for them apart from one more point from a free on the eighteenth minute. By this stage of the game Tipperary had scored an additional two goals and five points and the game as a contest was as good as over. Limerick were being outplayed everywhere on the field. The Tipperary defence were in a mean mood and broke up each and every Limerick foray into Tipperary territory. Aoife Corcoran at centre back carried much ball forward into midfield where Condon and Fitzgerald had a choice of forwards to aim at. The full back line of Aine Dunne, Shania Dowling and Grainne Ryan protected the Tipperary goal and the Limerick forwards could find no openings. The strong running Aisling Moloney was carving open the Limerick backline and linking up well with Aoibhe O’Shea and Kate Davey in the half forward line. A feature of Moloney’s play is her ability to kick long range points from all angles. The Limerick keeper was forced into some brave goalkeeping in the first half but by the time the whistle had blown for half time Tipperary led 6-08 to Limerick’s 0-02.
Tipperary’s management made no changes at half time and it was obvious from the beginning of the second half that the Tipperary players were not about to take it easy for the remainder of the game. Roisin Finnane added a point immediately followed by an Evrena Everard goal and a second goal for Aoibhe O’Shea with less than five minutes played in the second half. O’Shea, Finnane, Davey and Crotty Ryan then picked off a further eight points between them to seal the victory with some ten minutes still to play. Tipperary had by this stage introduced three subs with twelve minutes gone, Katie O’Donoghue, Kirsty Crotty Ryan and Aisling Deely having joined the game. On nineteen minutes Jean Kelly and Christina Brennan were introduced with the hardworking Kelly adding Tipperary’s final point of the night. The final whistle was greeted with wild abandon by the Tipperary players and no doubt relief by the Limerick players. They had battled bravely throughout the game but could find no answers to a slick Tipperary outfit that appears to be gathering momentum.
Following presentation of the Munster Cup to Tipperary Captain Aoife Corcoran by Munster officials the player of the match was announced. Lattin Cullen’s Lara O’Dwyer was a popular choice and her contribution of 3-01 early in the game had set Tipperary on their way tonight. The team was treated to a meal afterwards in Cahir House hotel and it was a pleasure to watch these girls celebrate. When manager Siobhan Condon thanked them for their efforts to date and announced a break for a few weeks there were groans of despair from players who wanted to continue training and playing together such is their enthusiasm and appetite for football.
The team will now take a break in order to allow them concentrate on exams and will recommence training after the Tipperary club championships. Tipperary will play the Ulster champions in the All-Ireland semi-finals on August 17th. At the time of writing the Ulster winners are as of yet unknown. We will await this game and look forward to seeing this team compete on the bigger stage later in the year.
Tipperary – Emer McCarthy, Aine Dunne, Shania Dowling, Grainne Ryan, Laura Morrissey, Aoife Corcoran, Grainne Condon, Caoimhe Condon, Deirbhile Fitzgerald, Aoibhe O’Shea 2-03, Aisling Moloney 2-06, Kate Davey 0-01, Evrena Everard 1-00, Lara O’Dwyer 3-01, Roisin Finnane 0-04
Subs: Aoife O’Donnell, Orla Burke, Kirsty Crotty Ryan 0-02, Katie O’Donoghue, Aisling Deely, Jean Kelly 0-01, Michelle McMeel, Christina Brennan, Sarah Duggan, Kate Barlow, Olivia Hogan, Eileen Flannery, Zoe Farrell.
Management- Siobhan Condon, Pat Morrissey, Mary O’Shea, Paddy McMeel, Georgina O’Dwyer, Medics- Liz Barlow & Aidan Bradshaw.
TIPPERARY INTERMEDIATE TEAM
On Sunday last a less than full strength Tipperary Ladies Football team travelled St. Peregrine’s, Blanchardstown, Dublin for the Tesco Homegrown National Football League Semi Final against Armagh. Armagh had a hundred percent success rate to date this year so the game was always going to be a tough one.
Armagh applied the pressure straight away and despite Tipperary’s best attempts they could not break through the Armagh game plan. Tipperary fought valiantly but it was not to be their day. Tipperary will now have a short break before they commence their Munster Championship preparations.
Well done to all players and management on their League Campaign.
TIPPERARY MINOR TEAM
Last Wednesday April 23rd Tipperary supporters travelled to Hospital, Co. Limerick to see the Tipperary Minor Team take on Kerry in the next round of their Munster Championship. The team were in great form after defeating Kerry on the previous Saturday in Bansha on a scoreline 2-16 to 1-12 and carried this form into this game. They were victorious over Limerick on a score line of 7-10 to 1-5, for a full match report check out www.tipperaryladiesfootball.ie. Scorers on the day were Aisling McCarthy 4-1, Megan Shanahan 2-0, Sara Everard 1-2, Roisin Howard 0-3, Caoimhe Condon 0-2, Laura Dillon 0-1, Brid Condon 0-1, Aoibhe O’Shea 0-1
Tipperary now awaits a Munster A Final and this is fixed for May 3rd at a venue to be confirmed. Check out www.facebook.com/tippladiesfootball for details later.
TIPPERARY FEILE COMPETITION
Congratulations to Thurles Sarsfields U14 Ladies Football Club on winning the Tipperary Feile Competition held on Monday April 21st in Galtee Rovers GAA Club, Bansha. A total of six clubs entered the competition Lattin Cullen, Fethard, Clonmel Commercials, Aherlow, Thurles Sarsfields, Moyle Rovers. Everyone had a fabulous day and we wish Thurles Sarsfields the very best in the National Feile Finals in June.
TIPPERARY POST PRIMARY BLITZ
The U15 Post Primary Blitz will take place on Friday 2nd May in Dr. Morris Park, Thurles. It is due to start at 10.00am SHARP. The following schools will attend – Loreto Clonmel, Cashel Community School, St. Ailbes Tipperary Town, St. Annes Tipperary Town, Ursuline Thurles, Presentation Thurles, Our Lady’s Templemore, Scoil Ruain Killenaule, CTI Clonmel, Rockwell College and Presentation Ballingarry. Thanks to the schools returning for another year and welcome to the new schools for joining us in what will be a fantastic day of football.
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 Mon 28th Apr
