TIPPERARY UNDER 14 TEAM
A great start and an even better finish by Tipperary Ladies Football Under 14's

On Saturday last Tipperary Ladies Football Under 14 team travelled to Ballymahon, Longford to take on Donegal in the All-Ireland Under 14 B Championship Final. As Munster Champions Tipperary overcame Longford in a comprehensive defeat in the All Ireland Semi Final held in Banagher, Co. Offaly on Saturday June 13th. Meanwhile at the same time in Cavan Donegal defeated Roscommon in their Semi Final, thus a Donegal and Tipperary meeting in the All Ireland Final.

Tipperary captain Marie Creedon won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the first half. This looked like an inspired decision as Tipperary raced in a 2-2 to 0-1 lead after seven minutes, the goals coming courtesy of Niamh Martin and Ava Fennessy with Ciara Dwan and Ava Fennessy scoring the points to be quickly followed by another Ciara Dwan point in the eleventh minute. Caoimhe Ryan, Tipperary and Amy Boyle Carr, Donegal traded points in the twelfth minute. Donegal added another point to their score line in the thirteenth minute. Donegal as Ulster champions soon began to show their pedigree, scoring two goals via midfielders Saoirse Bonner and Sarah Harkin with two points from Kate McClenaghan. At the interval, Donegal led by two points Donegal 2-6 to Tipperary 2-4.

With wind advantage in the second half, Tipperary would have had some confidence that they could bridge the half-time deficit and this was justified within seconds of the restart when substitute Cailin Napier scored a goal with her first touch. However, from the resulting kickout, Donegal showed this would be no walkover when Amy Boyle Carr raced through the middle to raise the green flag. A further two Kate McClenaghan points were on the score board before Ciara Dwan added a Tipperary point. As we entered the final quarter Donegal continued to dominate on the score board adding a further three points to Tipperary's two in normal time. Donegal added a further two points at the start of injury time to give them a comfortable margin of six points. However, Tipperary had time to show their own "never say die" attitude to the game in injury time as Caitlin Kennedy blasted a close range free into the back of the net. From the resulting kickout, Tipperary gathered possession and worked the ball in to Ciara Dwan who found Angela McGuigan in front of goal to convert what seemed an unlikely comeback. Final Score Tipperary 5-7 Donegal 3-13

Tipperary had secured themselves a replay on Saturday, July 11th at a venue to be decided. This Tipperary side have shown their spirit and character on many occasions this season and this never say die attitude was never more evident than in the closing stages on Saturday when faced with a seemingly hopeless situation deep in to injury time. Tipperary can also be thankful to the goalkeeping skills of Nicola O'Dwyer who kept her side within touching distance during a difficult second half.
Tipperary Team:- Nicola O'Dwyer (Mullinahone); Niamh Martin (Slievenamon), Aine Hahessy (Slievenamon), Eimear O'Connor (Ardfinnan); Dervla Heffernan (Boherlahan), Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow), Ciara Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Maire Creedon, Captain (Thurles Sarsfields), Caoimhe Ryan (Brian Borus); Lucy Spillane (Fethard), Ava Fennessy (Clonmel Commercials), Ruth Butler (Templemore); Niamh Ryan (Moyne Templetuohy), Angela McGuigan (Slievenamon), Ciara Dwan (Boherlahan).
Subs used:- Cailín Napier (Clonmel Commercials) for Ciara Maher (injured)(H/T); Orla Winston (Clonmel Commercials) for Ruth Butler (37th); Ellie Ryan (Boherlahan) for Dervla Heffernan (43rd); Emma Morrissey (Aherlow) for Caoimhe Ryan (50th), Aisling Ryan (Aherlow) for Niamh Ryan (58th)
Scorers:- Ava Fennessy 1-1, Caitlin Kennedy 1-1, Niamh Martin 1-0, Angela McGuigan 1-0, Cailín Napier 1-0, Ciara Dwan 0-3, Caoimhe Ryan 0-1, Ellie Ryan 0-1

TIPPERARY MINOR TEAM
Match Report by Assistant PRO, Declan O'Shea
Tipperary minor ladies footballers were crowned Munster Champions for the second successive year following this comprehensive sixteen point win over Waterford ladies.

Glanworth, County Cork was the venue for this the Munster Minor 'B' final between Tipperary and near neighbours and rivals Waterford Ladies on Saturday 4th July. Tipperary had already defeated both Kerry and Waterford in earlier round games played during March and April. This saw them contest the 'A' final against Cork in May where they had narrowly lost a game many believed they deserved to win. This now saw them having to face and defeat Waterford for the second time in this year's championships should they wish to progress to the All Ireland stage. In their earlier game played in Clonmel during April Tipperary had defeated the Deise girls on a scoreline of 4-13 to 2-9. Earlier matches would account for very little today however as this was now knockout after an almost eight week layoff for study and exams.  Waterford would no doubt be eager to test themselves again against this Tipperary ladies side. Both teams would need to hit the field running as a good start at this grade is vital.

Tipperary lost the toss and were to play against a fresh wind in the first half. In the second minute a free from Aoibhe O'Shea against the breeze dropped short and Roisin Howard reacted first to punch home a goal for Tipperary. Waterford responded with a point from Lauren McGregor and over the next seventeen minutes the two teams traded scores but it was Tipperary who got the goals and found themselves 2-2 to 0-4 ahead with eighteen minutes played.  Orla O'Dwyer had scored Tipperary's second goal on twelve minutes following some neat play between Niamh Treacy and Aoibhe O'Shea who provided the final pass for the goal. Niamh Treacy and Roisin Howard added two points between them from play on seventeen and eighteen minutes with Waterford's full forward adding two points for the Deise girls.

Tipperary goalie Emer McCarthy had saved what looked like a certain Waterford goal and their next attack then went narrowly wide to the relief of the Tipperary supporters. The Tipperary defence led by full back Maria Curley were now on top and the Waterford girls just could not get the space to take easy scores. Time and time again Waterford attackers found themselves bustled out to the corners and were not allowed to recycle clean ball. Tipperary's Louise Cadell at centre back carried ball out of defence and set up many of the Tipperary attacks ably assisted by the midfield pairing of Aishling Moloney and Elaine Fitzpatrick. Up front all the Tipperary forwards were showing for ball and when Orla O'Dwyer on twenty three minutes and Caoimhe Condon on twenty four minutes both goaled Tipperary were ahead by 4-2 to 0-4. The inside forward line for Tipperary were well supplied with clean fast ball from Tipperary's Roisin Howard and Aoibhe O'Shea. Waterford finished the half with two points from Lauren McGregor and Aoife Murray but went in at half time trailing by eight points despite playing with the wind. The score line does not reflect the possession Waterford enjoyed but they were dependant on their inside forward line for scores whereas Tipperary had dangerous forwards in all forward positions.
Half time score Tipperary 4-2 Waterford 0-6 (3F) 
The second half began with Waterford looking for some settling scores with their first point from a McGregor free on thirty one minutes. Following some nice passages of play Tipperary's Aoibhe O'Shea replied with a point and from here on Tipperary were almost totally dominant all over the field. Waterford's defence was then caught out for a somewhat easy goal when Orla O'Dwyer got a touch to a ball that rolled into an empty net with only thirty five minutes played. For the next twelve minutes both sides were scoreless but when on forty seven minutes Tipperary's Caoimhe Condon scored a goal from a shot that rebounded off the Waterford upright the game was effectively over.

For the next twelve minutes the Tipperary ladies took their points whenever the opportunities presented themselves adding another six from the boots of Orla O'Dwyer, Aoibhe O'Shea (2), Aishling Moloney (2) and sub Kate Davey. Waterford did find the net with eight minutes remaining but it was far too late for hopes of a comeback.

The Waterford ladies battled gamely but the Tipperary defence were magnificent throughout. Time and time again they hustled and harried, blocking shots and generally denying the Waterford team any room for scores. Tipperary goalie Emer McCarthy made three crucial saves, two in the second half and with Maria Curley, Louise Cadell and Aoife Corcoran on top in defence, Tipperary's midfield were able to assist their attack with confidence. Aishling Moloney covered huge amount of ground and her partner and team captain Elaine Fitzpatrick marshalled her team well.  In attack the scoring threat was evenly distributed with a total of seven players finding their range. The powerful Orla O'Dwyer was a target for the Tipperary half forwards where Roisin Howard and Aoibhe O'Shea used intelligent ball opening the Waterford defence to make the scores.
Final score Tipperary 6-9 Waterford 1-8.

After the final whistle the Munster cup was presented to Tipperary's captain Elaine Fitzpatrick and player of the match was awarded to Tipperary's centre back Louise Cadell of the Templemore club. Tipperary will now face Offaly in this year's All Ireland semi final at a time and date yet to be confirmed. Following on from this display they will be happy going forward but cannot relax in their pursuit of All Ireland glory in 2015.

Tipperary: Emer McCarthy, Aherlow, Laura Morrissey, Brian Borus,  Maria Curley, Templemore,  Grainne Condon , Aherlow, Elaine Kelly, Cappawhite,  Louise Cadell, Templemore, Aoife Corcoran, Cahir, Aishling Moloney, Cahir (0-2),  Elaine Fitzpatrick (Capt) Templemore, Caoimhe Condon, Brian Borus (2-0), Roisin Howard, Cahir (1-1), Aoibhe O'Shea, Mullinahone (0-3), Orla O'Dwyer, Boherlahan (3-1), Niamh Treacy, Templemore (0-1),  Everena Everard, Moyle Rovers.
Subs used : Kate Davey Fethard (0-1) for E Everard 45 mins, Megan Shanahan Moyle Rovers for N Treacy 46 mins, Eimear Loughman Cappawhite for L Morrissey 48 mins, Roisin Finnane Galtee Rovers for C Condon 50 mins and Aine Dunne Mullinahone for G Condon 52 mins.
Management: Anthony O'Brien, Siobhan Condon, Pat Morrissey, Mary O'Shea. Physio: Aidan Bradshaw.

Information concerning Ladies Football will appear in these notes. If you wish to include any item of interest, please contact us at [email protected] 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.

Tweet

Most Read Stories