Tipp topple Cork in cracking opener
March 16, 2010By David Kelly
Tipperary emerged with maximum points in their opening U16A group one clash against Cork at the Ragg on Saturday.
In what was a spirited display, the U16's stepped up to the mark despite a sluggish start to run out eventual seven point victors. However, the score line did not reflect the dominance of a rampant Tipp side.
There was no quarter given as both sides went all out in a bruising but entertaining spectacle. Midfielders Sarah Fryday and Anne Eviston gradually began to assert their dominance, while Ciara McGrath, Andrea Loughnane, Michaela Graham and Aoife Ryan split the posts for Tipperary. The pick of the bunch, a superb strike on the run by full forward Michaela Graham.
The ever reliable Aoife Ryan kept the scoring board ticking over from placed balls. Cork were found wanting and despite testing Caoimhe Maher at full back from the start, she gave the backline great shape, served well by corner backs Julie Anne Bourke and Louise McLoughlin. Cork relied heavily on the contributions of wing forward Emma Jordan and Claire Shine.
Tipperary were in a comfortable position at half time, they led nine points to four.
And despite facing a stiff breeze in the second half, Tipperary outscored Cork by 1-3 to 0-4. They did not allow Cork to dictate the style of play and matching them for every fifty fifty ball, Tipperary put the game to bed midway throughout the second period.
Sarah Friday slotted over two great scores from inside midfield to give Tipperary a seven point lead. Cork replied with scores from Julia Mulcahy, Emma Jordan and Claire Shine.
However, Tara Kennedy added insult to injury when Aoife Ryan found her nestling inside the Cork defence. She shrugged off the tackles of two Cork defenders, before sending a superb low placed shot to the net. In essence, that score epitomised Tipperary's attitude, determination and character on the day.
They are sitting pretty in group one with one game remaining against Clare. Revenge will be fresh on their minds, having been defeated by the same opposition in last year's Munster Final, but for now they can take great plaudits from their emphatic performance.
Player of the Match: Tipperary's Sarah Fryday (8)
Tipperary: O.McInery (New Inn), J. Bourke (Toomevara), C.Maher (Burgess/Duharra), L.McLoughlin (Silvermines), R.Kennedy (Silvermines), C.Quirke (Clonoulty), M.Walsh (Kilruane), S.Fryday (Clonoulty), A.Eviston (Drom/Inch), C.McGrath (Nenagh), R.Hanafin (Thurles), Andrea Loughnane (Thurles), T.Kennedy (Burgess/Duharra), M.Graham (Moycarkey), A.Ryan Capt. (Toomevara).
Subs used: M.Ryan, A.McGrath and C.Ryan.
Tipperary scorers: A.Ryan 0-4 (3 frees, 1 `45), T.Kennedy 1-0, M.Graham 0-2, S.Fryday 0-3, A.Eviston, C.McGrath and A.Loughnane 0-1 each.
Cork: S. O'Mahoney, A.Barry, A.Peate Capt., S.Kavanagh, R.O'Callaghan, T.Crowley, C.O'Callaghan, O.Cronin, A.O'Keeffe, J.Mulcahy, R.Crowley, E.Jordan, C.Shine, J.Barry, S.Keniry.
Subs used: O.Healy, G.Sheehy, L.O'Sullivan, L.O'Flynn.
Cork scorers: C.Shine 0-3 (1 free), J.Mulcahy 0-1, E.Jordan 0-4 (2 frees). Tweet
