Tipperary Camogie Scene

Munster Under 16 ‘A’ Shield Final:

Tipperary 3-20 Clare 0-10

Tipperary comfortably defeated Clare in the Munster Under 16 ‘A’ Shield Final at The Ragg on Sunday.

The game can only be described as a game of two halves, with the first half a close keenly contested affair with the sides level at the break 0-8 apiece. The second half was a totally different affair with Tipperary finding another few gears that Clare failed to compete with. The home team outscoring the visitors 3-12 to 0-2 in the second thirty minutes to secure a big victory in the end.

The opening quarter was end-to-end stuff with plenty of good scores to leave it 0-5 to 0-3 in Tipperary’s favour. Jessie Shanahan got Tipp off the mark followed by points from Emma Bonnar, Doireann Ryan, Clodagh Shinners (free) and Isabelle Kingston. For Clare Emily Carmody nailed a free while Sarah McEvoy had two points in quick succession in the 4th & 5th minutes.

Both sides exchanged points in the second quarter, the pick a Nessa Dwan point in the 24th minute after she went on a powerful run from her midfield berth. Tipperary could have a goal or two before half time, but Aine Boland in the Clare goal pulled off a string of excellent saves and so the teams went in tied at the break.

Whatever was said by the Tipperary management at half time certainly worked as the team came out with a new energy and purpose in the second half. Jessie Shanahan got the opening score with a goal as Tipp began to take over throughout. Three points in quick succession from Doireann Ryan, Isabelle Kingston and Jessie Shanahan had Clare on the back foot. In the 35th minute, Kate Nevin’s shot on target yielded a goal and suddenly in the space of five minutes Tipperary had scored 2-3 and were now nine points in front.

It was a dream restart for Tipperary that caught Clare totally off guard and although they never threw in the towel, they were second best to Tipp for the rest of the game. Tipperary had a fantastic spread of scorers with Doireann Ryan showing all her class in the 39th minute with a lovely solo effort and point straight off the hurley.

The subs also had a great impact off the bench with Grace Cleary and Michelle Lee contributing on the scoreboard. Emily Carmody scored two frees in a row midway through the half but unfortunately for Clare they were unable to break down the excellent Tipp defence led by Ella Frend at full back with Leah Maher also excellent in the corner. The midfield pairing of Emma Kennedy and Nessa Dwan were on top throughout the hour and after the game Nessa picked up the player of the match award for her endeavours.

It was an excellent second half display by Tipperary and one which will surely please the management team as attention now turns to the All-Ireland series in the summer.

Tipperary: Roisin Ferncombe (Clonoulty/Rossmore); Evanne Gleeson (Boherlahan-Dualla), Ella Frend (Toomevara), Leah Maher (Boherlahan-Dualla); Kellie O’Dwyer (Silvermines), Ciara Cahill (Drom & Inch), Eavann Duffy (Moyle Rovers); Nessa Dwan (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-2), Emma Kennedy (Lorrha); Jessie Shanahan (Slieve Felim Rapparees 1-2), Isabelle Kingston (Kiladangan 0-5, 3f), Emma Bonnar (Cashel King Cormacs 0-1), Kate Nevin (Templemore 1-0), Doireann Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-5), Clodagh Shinners (Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-1f). Subs: Ola Wasylik (Ballina), Grace Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Grace Cleary (Nenagh Eire Og 0-2), Michelle Lee (Slieve Felim Rapparees 1-2).

Munster Under 16 ‘B’ Shield Final:

Tipperary 3-11 Clare 2-5

A superb first half performance was the catalyst for a comprehensive victory for the Tipperary Under 16 ‘B’ team in the Munster Shield Final against Clare at The Ragg on Saturday.

From the outset, Tipperary’s forwards were dangerous with the lively Emma Kiely pointing after three minutes. Clare responded with a great score from distance from Amy Reynolds, but this was to be their only score until the 26th minute when Isabelle McInerney pointed a free. By then Tipperary had scored another 2-5 in a blistering opening half for the home side. Two quick points in succession from Grace Flanagan were followed up with Emma Kiely scoring the first of Tipperary’s three goals in the opening half. Good work from the Moyle Rovers player saw her beat her marker and shoot for a point but her shot dipped under the crossbar and the umpire raised the green flag.

By now Clare were in real trouble with Abi Kelly and Kaelinn Rossiter dominant in midfield supplying the attack with plenty of possession while Emily McGrath was brilliant at wing back and after the game was awarded with player of the match. Tipp had the next three points without reply from Aoibheann Maher (free), Emma Kiely and a lovely route-one point from full forward Rachel Heffernan. Clare battled hard but were dealt another blow in the 25th minute when Aoibhin Maher’s shot from distance found the back of the net. Clare captain Isabelle McInerney pointed a much needed free, but it was little consolation as two minutes later Tipperary had their third goal when a free from Aoibhin Maher wasn’t dealt with and again Tipp were celebrating another goal. A super score from play from Maher was followed by another well-taken Rachel Heffernan point to leave the half time score, 3-8 to 0-2.

Huge credit to Clare, they re-grouped at half time and really came out fighting in the second half led by Kate Dowling at full forward. She goaled after 33 minutes and had a point from play in between two Aoibhinn Maher frees. Shannon Beston and Dowling kept the scoreboard ticking over for Clare before Maher scored her third point of the half.

With all the work done in the opening half and a fifteen point lead, the Tipp management were able to empty their bench with all the subs having a positive impact. Late in injury time Kate Dowling managed to kick the sliotar over the line to leave the final score 3-11 to 2-5.

Joint-captains Kaelinn Rossiter and Rachel Heffernan were presented with the Shield from Munster Council Chairperson Christine Ryan. The management will no doubt be pleased to pick up silverware in April, but attention will now turn to preparing for the All-Ireland series in the summer.

Tipperary: Ruby Kelly (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Jenna Hackett (Toomevara), Sinead Lonergan (Ballybacon/Grange), Brid Quirke (Boherlahan-Dualla), Ciara Crofton (Roscrea), Emma Costello (Shannon Rovers), Emily McGrath (Brian Borus), Abi Kelly (Borris-Ileigh), Kaelinn Rossiter (Thurles Sarsfields), Sarah Williams (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Eibhlin Burke (Newport/Ballinahinch), Aoibheann Maher (Ballybacon/Grange 2-5, 1-3f), Grace Flanagan (Moycarkey/Borris 0-2), Rachel Heffernan (Eire Og Annacarty 0-2), Emma Kiely (Moyle Rovers 1-2). Subs used: Emer Brennan (Moyle Rovers), Orla Gleeson (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Mary Kate Ely (Moyne-Templetuohy), Molly Carr (Holycross/Ballycahill), Molly McLoughlin (Slieve Felim Rapparees), Shauna Looby (Silvermines, blood sub).

Under 17: Tipperary were defeated 4-11 to 1-5 by Cork in the Munster Under 17 Development League final in Clogheen on Sunday.

Tipperary panel: Niamh Boland (Nenagh Eire Og), Eadaoin Bonner (Cashel King Cormacs), Clodagh Cahalan (Shannon Rovers), Dearbhla Casey (Boherlahan-Dualla), Kate Dowling (Moycarkey/Borris), Maura Gleeson (Toomevara), Maeve Cunneen (Silvermines), Leanna Gahan (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Clodagh Grimes (Newport/Ballinahinch), Therese Groome (Borris-Ileigh), Faye Healy (Holycross/Ballycahill), Mya Hickey (Boherlahan-Dualla), Molly Loughnane (Roscrea), Aoibhe Maher (Brian Borus), Eve Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Maria Murphy (Boherlahan-Dualla), Lucy O’Brien (St Patrick’s), Sinead O’Carroll (Ballybacon/Grange), Robin O’Dwyer (Silvermines), Sarah O’Flynn (Ballina), Caitlin O’Gorman (Brian Borus), Jane Ryan (Silvermines), Clodagh Spain (Nenagh Eire Og), Caoimhe Troy (Newport/Ballinahinch).