Tipperary edge past Cavan in low scoring opening round

LADIES FOOTBALL: LIDL National League Division 2 Round 1

Cavan 0-2

Tipperary 1-4

Report: Aideen Coyle in Lacken

Photos: Vincent Flynn

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aishling Moloney (Tipperary).

SCORERS – Cavan: Deirbhile McCaffrey 0-2.

Tipperary: Emma Morrissey 1-2 (0-2 frees); Aishling Moloney 0-2.

The National Ladies Football League began in tough conditions on Sunday for Cavan and Tipperary in one of four games across a highly competitive division 2.

When the two sides met in last season’s campaign, Tipperary recorded a comprehensive win over the Breffni women but the hosts are a relatively new look side with Michael O’Rourke taking charge of his first game. On the flip side, Tipperary manager Peter Creedon called upon a very experienced starting side to open the 2024 campaign.

Played in difficult weather conditions, the game was a slow burner with scores at a premium. The sides traded just two points apiece in the opening half with Cavan arguably going into the half-time break the happier side having converted fifty percent of their chances. On the other hand, the visitors dominated the scoring opportunities but only managed to convert two of their eight chances in front of goal in the opening half in a game which saw them register fourteen wides.

It was a disastrous start for the visitors as forward Angela McGuigan was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle with only three minutes gone. Cavan opened the scoring in this timeframe as Deirbhile McCaffrey kicked the opening score in the eight minute.

Cavan’s backline were put on the backfoot for large periods of time but rose to the occasion superbly overturning possession and pressurising the Tipperary forwards keeping them scoreless in the opening twenty minutes.

However, persistence was key, and Tipperary did eventually break the deadlock in the 21st minute as the deadly full forward line of Anna-Rose Kennedy, Aishling Moloney and Emma Morrissey combined with Maloney pointing.

Continuing to pile on the pressure, the lively Kennedy overturned the resulting Cavan kickout and was fouled as she raced through on goal with Emma Morrissey converting the close range free for her sides second and final score of the half.

Twenty minutes after their opening score Cavan hit the equaliser after excellent work from midfielder Aine Smith set her side on an attack with McCaffrey once again stepping up with the score to leave the side’s level at the break.

The visitors got the second half off to a flying start with Maloney winning the throw-in sending her side straight on the attack. A pinpoint ball over the top found full forward Morrissey unmarked but the Aherlow woman blasted her shot at goal high and wide.

However, the vice-captain made the perfect response hitting 1-1 on the bounce three minutes later. Morrissey converted her second free of the tie before adding a goal to her tally a minute later as her long range free found its way into the top corner of the net.

With 35 minutes played, Moloney scored an incredible individual effort to put her side five points ahead. Despite her side creating several more chances and dominating the possession in the second half this was Tipperary’s final score of the game.

The hosts managed to create just three scoring opportunities in a frustrating second half. The lack of scoring chances was a testament to the hardworking Tipperary backline, led notably by captain Maria Curley, Emma Cronin and Nessa Towey with goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick also being called into action in the closing stages to deny substitute Aisling Doughty with a brilliant interception.

It was a winning start Tipp would have hoped for as they prepare for another long trip north to Ulster next Sunday when they take on Tyrone which is a curtain-raiser to the National Football League clash between Tyrone and Roscommon.

TEAMS - Cavan: Evelyn Baugh, Niamh Briody, Aine Brady, Lucy Crowe, Hannah Gilsenan, Roisin Dolan, Ruth Gilsenan, Aine Smith, Caoimhe Halpin, Niamh Smith, Sarah McCabe, Deirbhile McCaffrey, Christina Charters, Niamh McCorry, Aoife Brady.

Subs: Sinead Levingstone for N Smith; Amy Wharton for McCabe; Aisling Doughty for A Brady; Caoimhe Madden for Halpin; Aoibheann Morrison for H Gilsenan; Aine Brady for R Gilsenan, Molly Smith for Doughty

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry); Katelyn Downey (Boherlahan-Dualla), Lucy Spillane (Fethard), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Maria Curley (Templemore, Capt), Nessa Towey (Templemore); Laura Morrissey (Brian Borus), Emer McCarthy (Galtee Rovers); Sara Morrissey (Aherlow), Angela McGuigan (Sliabh na mBan), Cliona O’Dwyer (Boherlahan-Dualla); Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow), Emma Morrissey (Aherlow), Aishling Moloney (Cahir).

Subs: Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan) for Kennedy, Elaine Kelly (Cappawhite) for Morrissey, Marie Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields) for O’Dwyer, Sarah English (Ardfinnan) for Kelly, Clara English (Ardfinnan) for McCarthy.

Referee: Philip Conway (Armagh).