Under 16 B All Ireland Semi Final - Tipperary v Monaghan - Match Report by Declan O'Shea Assistant PRO

Tipperary Under 16 ladies have qualified for this year's 'B' All Ireland final where they will meet Laois in two weeks time. The current Munster 'B' Under 16 ladies football champions Tipperary found themselves on the road to Kinnegad in Co Westmeath to take on Monaghan the Ulster champions on Sunday 17th August. Throw in had been brought forward from the scheduled 2pm time to the earlier 12:45pm to facilitate supporters who wished to watch Tipperary senior hurlers play Cork later in the day.

Tipperary Ladies last competitive outing had been the Munster championship final win against Limerick on the 26th April last. A number of challenge games had been played in the meantime in order to keep the girls 'ticking over'.  A number of girls on this Under 16 team had also been involved with the victorious Tipperary minor All Ireland winning team recently and it was hoped that this Tipperary team would now hit the ground running against today's opponents Monaghan.  The Management team of Siobhan Condon, Paddy McMeel, Mary O'Shea, Pat Morrissey and Georgina O'Dwyer had been together with these girls since last October and no stone had been left unturned in the pursuit of All Ireland glory.

Monaghan under 16s were something of an unknown but as Ulster champions would have to be afforded every respect from a footballing point of view. They had enjoyed a comprehensive win over rivals Down in the Ulster final and were confident of competing with this Tipperary team.  The Tipperary ladies had done everything asked of them to date recording easy wins over Clare and Limerick (twice) in the Munster championships. Sunday's game would be another major step in this team's development. What was worrying was the delay between their last competitive outing and today's semi final.

Having won the toss Monaghan opted to play with the strong breeze and were first to register a score in the third minute. Tipperary were finding the conditions tough and the wind was certainly a factor. Points from Aishling Moloney and Caoimhe Condon kept Tipperary in it but Monaghan were enjoying plenty of possession in their forward line and a goal followed in the fourth minute, Tipperary points from Aoibhe O'Shea and Caoimhe Condon kept Tipperary in the hunt but a second Monaghan goal followed in the eighteenth minute and one could feel the confidence flowing throughout the Monaghan ladies. Tipperary forward Roisin Finnane goaled almost immediately after the Monaghan score and Tipperary were now matching Monaghan score for score despite playing into the strong wind. Caoimhe Condon goaled for Tipp on twenty one minutes and Monaghan cancelled this out with a goal of their own a minute later. The Tipperary girls were playing energy sapping stuff having to carry ball from midfield in order to feed their forwards. Tipp's third goal was scored by Caoimhe Condon and Monaghan replied with a point to leave the minimum between the side at half time, Tipperary 3-4 Monaghan 3-5.

No changes were made at half time with the Tipperary management expressing confidence in the team's ability now with the wind to their backs. Right from the throw in Moloney & Corcoran for Tipp sent over four unanswered points to take the lead for Tipp for the first time. An O'Shea free and a huge long range point for Moloney added to Tipp's lead before Monaghan finally scored a point in the forty third minute. Tipp were playing lovely football now as confidence soared from number one to fifteen. Three more Moloney points from distance were added before Monaghan got some relief with a goal of their own on fifty four minutes. From the kick out play was brought up the field at speed and an O'Shea goal quietened the Monaghan resistance. Monaghan were not to score again and Tipp went on to add another two goals (Moloney & O'Dwyer) and two points (Kelly & Moloney) before the ref called time.  
Final score Tipperary 6-16 Monaghan 4-6.

While it would be unfair to single out any individuals for special mention Tipp had quality play from Moloney & Corcoran in midfield. The forwards looked lively and took their chances well from play and placed balls with Condon's strong running at centre forward causing panic in the Monaghan team. In the defence Dowling was teak tough for Tipp breaking up some menacing Monaghan attacks ably assisted by Ryan & Morrissey.

Tipperary: Emer McCarthy, Aine Dunne, Shania Dowling, Grainne Ryan, Laura Morrissey, Aoife Corcoran (0-2), Orla Burke, Deirbhile Fitzgerald, Grainne Condon, Aoibhe O'Shea (1-3,0-2 frees), Caoimhe Condon (2-2), Evrena Everard, Roisin Finnane (1-0), Lara O'Dwyer (1-0), Aishling Moloney (1-8).

Panel: Kate Davey, Christina Brennan, Sarah Duggan, Kate Barlow, Aisling Deely, Kirsty Crotty Ryan, Aoife O Donnell, Olivia Hogan, Claire Moore.

Subs used: Zoe Farrell for Aine Dunne, Jean Kelly (0-1) for Roisin Finnane, Michelle McMeel for Caoimhe Condon, Katie O'Donoghue for Grainne Ryan, Eileen Flannery for Evrena Everard.

Management: Siobhan Condon, Pat Morrissey, Mary O'Shea, Paddy McMeel, Georgina O'Dwyer, Physio: Aidan Bradshaw. Medical: Liz Barlow.

TIPPERARY U13 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Tipperary Ladies Football will commence their Under 13 Development Squad on Saturday August 30th in Galtee Rovers GAA, Bansha at 10.30am.  Any players interested in the squad are asked to register on the day.

TIPPERARY U12 BLITZ
Best wishes to all the Under 12 clubs who will travel to Galtee Rovers GAA Club, Bansha on Sunday 24th of August to compete in the Tipperary Ladies Football Under 12 Blitz.  There will be 3 prizes - Cup, Shield and Plate.  

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.

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