O’Brien stars as changed Tipp still too good for Antrim

Grace O’Brien turned in a player of the match display as Tipperary powered their way to a fourteen point win over Antrim in round 3 of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship on Saturday.

CAMOGIE: Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1 Round 3

Tipperary 1-17

Antrim 0-6

Report: Michael Dundon at the County Camogie Grounds

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Grace O’Brien (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Cait Devane 0-10 frees; Grace O’Brien 1-5; Ellen Cunneen, Niamh Treacy 0-1 each.

Antrim: Roisin McCormack 0-5 frees; Fionnula Kelly 0-1.

The Nenagh Eire Og lady bagged 1-5 from play and ran the Antrim defence ragged with her pace and ability to take her scores as Tipp stayed on track with a third consecutive win for qualification for the knock-out stages.

The homes side were favourites to win as Antrim had already suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Kilkenny and Derry, and, given that scoring difference could come into play in determining top positions in the group, the only disappointment was that the winning margin wasn’t greater. However, Antrim had a say in that matter with a gutsy second half performance in which they restricted Tipperary to five points while registering four themselves.

Manager Denis Kelly rested some key players, including captain Karen Kennedy but Tipp were still on top, leading 0-4 to 0-2 after ten minutes. In the absence of Eimear McGrath, Cait Devane was on free-taking duties and she had four to her credit and Grace O’Brien (2) before she notched Tipp’s goal from a Devane pass in the 24th minute to go 1-9 to 0-2 clear.

At half-time Tipp’s advantage was 1-12 to 0-2 and there was no way back for Antrim. To their credit, they stuck resolutely to their task in the second half. They had the aid of the breeze and Tipp had certainly taken their foot off the pedal. Tipp were leading 1-17 to 0-3 with five minutes to play but Antrim hit three unanswered points at the finish to reduce the deficit somewhat.

It was a rather below par performance by Tippbut at the same time more than adequate for the occasion. Management availed of the opportunity to have a look at fringe players with such as Karen Kennedy, Clodagh McIntyre, Eimear McGrath, and Mary Ryan, rested. Grace O’Brien topped the individual performances, but Niamh Treacy, Emma Carey, Aoife McGrath, and Eimear Heffernan were also very influential and Karen Kennedy showed her class when introduced.

Antrim have yet to win a game and were struggling from the word go. Significantly goalkeeper Caitriona Graham was one of their best players with Siobhan McKillop, Megan McGarry, Yvonne Morton, and Roisin McCormack also working extremely hard to stem the tide.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Nicole Walsh (Borris-Ileigh 6); Julianne Bourke (Borris-Ileigh 6), Clodagh Quirke (Clonoulty/Rossmore 6), Niamh Costigan (Cahir 6); Emma Carey (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 6), Aoife McGrath (Drom & Inch 7); Ellen Cunneen (Silvermines 6), Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch 7); Eimear Heffernan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 7), Mary Bourke (Drom & Inch 6), Ciardha Maher (Burgess/Duharra 6), Jean Kelly (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 6), Cait Devane (Clonoulty/Rossmore 6), Grace O’Brien (Nenagh Eire Og 9).

Subs: Sarah Madden (Silvermines 6) for Kelly (HT); Aoife Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields 6) for Costigan (37); Karin Blair (Cashel KC 6) for Cunneen (45); Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha 6) for Maher (47); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields 6) for Heffernan (50).

Antrim: Catriona Graham (8); Maria McKenna (6), Megan McGarry (7), Claire McKillop (6); Erin Coulter (6), Yvonne Morton (7), Aimee Boyle (6); Jane McIntosh (6), Siobhan McKillop (7); Marie Kelly (6), Cassie McArthur (6), Fionnula Kelly (7); Caitriona Dobbyn (6), Roisin McCormack (7), Sarah Fife (6).

Sub: Anna McKillop (6) for Fife (44).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Dublin).