Minors aim to secure first silverware of the year

CAMOGIE: Munster Minor ‘A’ Championship Final Preview

By Geraldine Kinane

WATERFORD v TIPPERARY

Walsh Park, Waterford

Sunday 18th February

Throw-in @ 2.00pm (E.T.)

Having lost the toss for venue, Tipperary travel to Waterford this Sunday to take on the hosts in the Munster Minor ‘A’ Camogie Championship Final.

Having defeated Cork in the semi-final on 20th January last, it has been a long build up to Sunday’s final for Tipperary. However, the players have been far from idle with many involved on the Ursuline Thurles team which have reached the All-Ireland final, as well as a number of dual players who have been out in action with the Tipperary minor ladies football team.

While the main focus for John Ryan and the Tipperary minors will be the All-Ireland championship which begins on 3rd March, Sunday offers a great chance of picking up some coveted silverware for both counties in a competition which Cork have dominated in recent years.

In a change to the schedule of previous years, the Munster championship precedes the All-Ireland championship. Last year having failed to make the All-Ireland knockout stages, Tipperary regrouped for the Munster campaign, beating Clare in a semi-final before losing to Cork in a cracking final.

In this years’ semi-final, a spirited team display secured the win against Cork at home on a final scoreline of 0-9 to 0-6. Caoimhe Stakelum finished with four frees while Danielle Ryan and Lucy Purcell also registered points.

Sarah Corcoran captains the team from centre back while Paula Quirke is another key plater at corner back. Tipperary will be well aware of the huge challenge Waterford possess on Sunday having lost to them in the group stages of the All-Ireland championship last summer. Waterford went on to contest the final but came up short against Cork.

They defeated Limerick in their Munster semi-final 1-7 to 1-4 in a game played in terrible weather conditions. Waterford had the wind in the first half and led 1-6 to 1 at the break. De La Salle’s Maggie Gostl got four points while Ava Fitzpatrick finished with 1-1.

The second half saw Limerick outscore Waterford 0-4 to 0-1, but Mark English's team were able to hold on for the win, partly in thanks to goalkeeper Katelyn Gardner who pulled off a superb diving save in injury time.

A large crowd of supporters is expected from both counties and a mouth-watering battle is predicted this Sunday from two evenly matched sides.

Tipperary panel

Ava Bevans - Borris-Ileigh

Erinn Brennan - Brian Borus

Danielle Butler - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill

Hannah Butler - Cashel King Cormacs

Leanna Coppinger - Thurles Sarsfields

Sarah Corcoran -Moycarkey/Borris

Aine Dooley - St Cronan’s Roscrea

Eabha Dolan - Moyle Rovers

Emer Dwan - Cashel King Cormacs

Aoife Fitzgerald - Borris-Ileigh

Ellie Franklin - Moyle Rovers

Ava Gaynor - Kilruane MacDonagh’s

Aoife Gleeson – Kiladangan

Lucy Heffernan - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill

Nicola Kelly - Shannon Rovers

Sophie Maher – Clonoulty/Rossmore

Sarah McLoughlin – Boherlahan-Dualla

Elana McGrath – Holycross/Ballycahill

Aoife Mellerick – Newport/Ballinahinch

Anna O’Brien - Cashel King Cormacs

Ali O'Kelly - Kilruane MacDonagh's

Rachael O’Meara - Mullinahone

Lucy Purcell - Thurles Sarsfields

Paula Quirke – Boherlahan-Dualla

Danielle Ryan - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill

Ciara Shelly – Moycarkey/Borris

Caoimhe Stakelum - Thurles Sarsfields

Caithlyn Treacy – Moneygall

Eimhear Troy - Toomevara

Ava Wall - Moyle Rovers

Tipperary Management

John Ryan (Slieve Felim Rapparees) – Manager; John Hadnett (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) - Coach/Selector; Aoife McLoughney (Shannon Rovers) - Coach/Selector; Ian Mellerick (Newport/Ballinahinch) - Selector/Kitman; Pat McLoughney (Shannon Rovers) - Goalkeeping Coach; Denis McGrath - Strength & Conditioning Coach; Irene Dwan – Female Liaison Officer; Sheena Ryan – Stats; Thomas Quirke & Brendan Franklin - Hurleys/Water