Camogie Scene

Under 16 ‘A’: Tipperary 4-11 Limerick 0-1

Ahane was the venue on Saturday for the Munster Under-16 ‘A’ Camogie semi-final as Tipperary delivered an impressive performance to book their place in the provincial final at the expense of Limerick.

The visitors made the ideal start with captain Melanie Flannery opening the scoring with an early point, setting the tone for a commanding display in which she led by example throughout.

That point was quickly followed by the game’s first goal, expertly finished by Lily Ivors, before Olivia Looby struck for Tipperary’s second green flag inside ten minutes to make it 2-1 to no score.

Limerick struggled to gain a foothold as Tipperary’s defence stood firm, with the half-back line of Taylor Corbett, Evie Ahern, and Nicole Tarrant in complete control. They were well supported by Caoimhe Kennedy, Aoife O’Donnell, and Molly Jones who controlled matters around the middle third.

At the other end, Tipperary’s forwards continued to shine. Flannery added two further points before a superb score from the lively Maria Groome extended the lead. A well-taken 45-metre free from Lily Ivors rounded off the first-half scoring as Tipperary went in at the break with a commanding 2-5 to no score advantage.

Limerick did create a number of chances in the opening half but were left frustrated by several wides, while Tipperary punished opportunities with clinical efficiency.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Flannery added another point after a strong run and pass from Looby, before Ivors struck for her second goal following a period of sustained pressure.

Further points from Melaine Flannery kept the scoreboard ticking, and Saili O’Connor got in on the act with a well-taken goal to make it 4-7 to no score. Molly Jones added a point, while substitute Lucyann Cleary also raised a white flag as Tipperary continued to dominate.

Limerick eventually registered their sole score of the contest with a point in the 49th minute from Eabha Hayes.

Tipperary emptied their bench as the game progressed, with all eight substitutes making positive contributions and ensuring there was no drop in tempo. Late points from Lucy Lee completed the scoring as Tipperary ran out convincing winners.

For Tipperary, this was a superb all-round team performance, from goalkeeper Sinéad Delaney through to full-forward Saili O’Connor. They were solid in defence, industrious in midfield and creative and clinical up front. They now look ahead with confidence to a Munster final showdown in three weeks’ time against the winners of Clare and Cork.

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney (Templemore), Grainne Troy (Toomevara), Katelyn Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Tara Maher (Borris-Ileigh); Taylor Corbett (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Evie Ahern (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Nicole Tarrant (Boherlahan-Dualla), Aoife O’Donnell (Boherlahan-Dualla), Caoimhe Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Maria Groome (Borris-Ileigh 0-1), Molly Jones (Moyne-Templetuohy 0-1), Melaine Flannery (Cahir, Capt 0-5), Olivia Looby (Silvermines 1-0), Saili O’Connor (Nenagh Eire Og 1-0), Lilly Ivors (Ballingarry 2-1).

Subs used: Kate Duffy (Burgess/Duharra), Lucyann Cleary (Nenagh Eire Og 0-1), Lucy Lee (Newport/Ballinahinch 0-2), Aoife Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), Maeve Lonergan (Rockwell Rovers), Lorna Ryan (Templemore), Aoife O’Donnell (Boherlahan-Dualla), Mae Kennedy (Boherlahan-Dualla).

Limerick: Sarah Carroll, Maria Conway, Cait O’Donoghue, Aoibhinn Kennedy, Chloe Cleary, Eilis O’Neill, Lucy Heffernan, Eabha Hayes (0-1), Cara Clifford, Lucy Higgins, Saoirse Browne, Emma O’Donnell, Aoife Donnelly, Orla O’Connor, Rosie McCaul.

Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork).

Under 16 ‘B’: Tipperary 1-7 Cork 1-12

The Tipperary County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg, was the setting on Saturday for the Munster Under-16 ‘B’ semi-final clash between Tipperary and Cork, with the visitors making a blistering start that ultimately proved decisive.

Cork got off to the perfect beginning, opening the scoring with an early point from Kate Clifford. Straight from the puck-out, Cork struck for a crucial goal as Aideen O’Shea caught the puckout before driving the ball down the line to Aoibhinn Hudner. She passed it across field to Ella McCarthy who finished clinically to the back of the Tipperary net to give Cork a 1-1 to no score lead — an advantage they would retain throughout the contest.

The visitors continued to press and extended their lead with a pointed free from Erica Power. They almost added a second goal soon after when Power struck a 21-metre free, but excellent defending from Tipperary saw the ball cleared off the line.

It took ten minutes for Tipperary to register their first score, a free from Nadine Guinan, who added another from a placed ball three minutes later to reduce the deficit. Cork responded with a point from Power in the seventeenth minute before Niamh Gleeson got Tipp’s first score from play.

Momentum briefly swung Tipperary’s way as Katie Bergin added a fine score, but Cork replied once again through Power from a free. Both sides traded points approaching the interval, with Anna Lanigan accurate for Tipperary, leaving Cork ahead at the break 1-4 to 0-5.

Cork again began the second half with purpose, with Erica Power and Chloe Jones adding points early on. Nadine Guinan responded with well-taken point for Tipperary, but Cork then enjoyed a dominant spell, hitting five unanswered points through Power, Jones, Ella McCarthy, and Lucy Heaphy to stretch their advantage.

Tipperary needed a response and found it in the 53rd minute when Anna Lanigan struck for a goal, offering a late lifeline. Four minutes later, Cork’s Lucy Heaphy got her second point before Nadine Guinan added a further point in injury time.

At the final whistle, Cork emerged deserving five point winners, advancing to the Munster final. While Tipperary showed resilience and battled to the end, Cork’s early goal and sustained scoring runs in both halves proved the difference on the day.

Tipperary: Hannah Quirke (Kiladangan); Caragh Cooney (Burgess/Duharra), Saoirse Maher (Boherlahan-Dualla), Aisling Coffey (Newport/Ballinahinch), Ella O’Donnell (Brian Borus), Amy Hackett (Toomevara), Emily Fanning (Ballingarry), Cara Butler (Drom & Inch), April Bourke (Templemore), Katie Bergin (Templemore 0-1), Nadine Guinan (Lorrha 0-4f), Anna Lanigan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole 1-1), Niamh Gleeson (Gortnahoe/Glengoole 0-1), Olive Spillane Leane (Moyne-Templetuohy), Navaeh Tiernan (Portroe).

Subs used: Lara Shanahan (Slieve Felim Rapparees), Georgia Kerton (Moyle Rovers), Lucy Higgins (Drom & Inch), Cara White (Moyle Rovers), Lily Brennan (Kiladangan).

Cork: Orla Coffey, Hannah Buicke, Clara Buckley, Kacie McQuire, Clodagh Spillane, Ella O’Sullivan, Aideen O’Shea, Chloe Jones, Caoimhe Brennan, Katie Clifford, Kate Whelton, Lucy Heaphy, Aoibhinn Hudner, Ella McCarthy, Erica Power.

Referee: Joe Mullens (Clare).

Post Primary Schools: Munster Senior ‘A’ Semi-Final - Coachford College v Ursuline SS Thurles on Thursday, 8th January; venue and time TBC.

Munster Senior ‘B’ Final – Carrick-on-Suir CBS v St Mary's SS Nenagh on Saturday, 10th January in Mooncoin @ 1.00pm

Munster Junior 'A' Final – Ursuline SS Thurles vs Presentation SS Thurles on Saturday, 10th January in the County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg @ 11.00am.