Tipp set for new Under 23 Camogie competition
By Geraldine Kinane PRO
This year marks the introduction of the first-ever Under-23 Inter-county Camogie Championship and Tipperary will begin their campaign with a Munster semi-final this Sunday, April 6th, away to Waterford in Colligan at 11:45am.
In the other semi-final, Clare, who overcame Limerick in the preliminary round, will take on Cork in Clare. The final is scheduled for April 21st.
The Munster Championship is a highly prestigious competition, but also serves as excellent preparation for the upcoming All-Ireland Series.
Tipperary’s management team is the same group that guided the county to last year’s Premier Junior All-Ireland title led by manager Bill Mullaney. With many of the players from that winning team who are eligible for this grade have been selected such as Lorna Ryan, Orla O’Brien, Grace Moloney, Anna & Lily Fahie and Maria Connolly who captains the team.
Others to make the panel include several standout minor players from recent years. The group has been training diligently since the trials at the start of the year, playing numerous challenge matches and are well-prepared for the campaign.
A decision by the Camogie Association has seen second adult teams removed from intermediate and junior championships, instead now playing in a new under 23 competition which is a new challenge and provides an important developmental platform, helping players progress toward senior camogie.
Waterford have been highly competitive at minor level in recent years, reaching the last two All-Ireland finals. Playing at home, they are expected to provide a serious challenge in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Tipperary panel: Paula Quirke (Boherlahan-Dualla); Ava Bevans, Aoife Fitzgerald, Emma Kelly (Borris-Ileigh); Hannah Butler, Anna Fahie, Lily Fahie, Grace Moloney (Cashel King Cormacs); Katie Ferncombe, Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore); Maria Connolly (Drom & Inch); Jennifer Heffernan, Aoife Dwyer, Orla O’Brien, Eva O’Dwyer (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill); Ciara Gleeson (Gortnahoe/Glengoole); Aoife Gleeson (Kiladangan); Ali O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Caoimhe McCormack (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams); Ciara Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Eabha Dolan (Moyle Rovers); Aoife Mellerick (Newport/Ballinahinch); Eimear Fogarty, Niamh Franks, Aine Slattery (Shannon Rovers); Miriam Murphy (Silvermines); Shona McBride (Templemore)
Management: Bill Mullaney (Newport/Ballinahinch); Grainne O’Leary & Bobby Carrigan (Ballybacon/Grange); Jordan Donovan (Roscrea), Carmel Bradshaw (Ballina); Bridget Bourke (Drom & Inch); Colette Murray (Thurles Sarsfields)