Tipperary Camogie Scene

eir All-Ireland Under 16 ‘A’ Championship

Tipperary 1-13 Limerick 1-9

Tipperary welcomed Limerick to the County Grounds on Sunday for round 2 of the All-Ireland U16 ‘A’ Championship, and while the home side recorded a comprehensive win over the Shannonsiders earlier in the Munster competition, this proved a much sterner examination.

Limerick made the brighter start, converting two frees through the impressive Lucy Higgins. Tipp settled through a well-taken point from Melanie Flannery before Lily Ivors added another to steady the hosts.

Saili O’Connor edged Tipp in front, and the Premier side quickly built momentum. A superb run and incisive pass from Olivia Looby released Molly Jones, who finished clinically to the net and raise the game’s only first-half green flag.

Ivors and Flannery continued to find their range, and Tipp struck seven points in succession, with Ivors particularly influential from both play and placed balls.

Despite creating several clear-cut goal opportunities, Tipperary were denied on a number of occasions by excellent saves from Limerick goalkeeper Katie Hedderman.

By the interval, Tipp however were still in a commanding position, leading 1-10 to 0-4.

With the aid of a strong, blustery wind in the second half, Limerick emerged with renewed purpose. Lucy Higgins and Eabha Hayes reduced the deficit with well-taken points before a Higgins free found its way to the net in the 44th minute, cutting the margin to four, 1-10 to 1-6.

Tipp struggled at times to regain their earlier fluency, but a vital score arrived in the 43rd minute when Saili O’Connor split the posts. She quickly followed with another to stretch the advantage to 1-12 to 1-6.

Aoife Donnelly responded for Limerick, and substitute Caoimhe Foley added another to leave just three between the sides as injury time loomed.

However, Tipp showed composure when it mattered most. A strong, direct run from the lively Maria Groome drew a free on the hour mark, and Lily Ivors converted to bring her personal tally to eight.

At the final whistle, Tipperary had done enough, securing a hard-earned victory.

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney (Templemore); Grainne Troy (Toomevara), Katelyn Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Tara Maher (Borris-Ileigh); Kate Duffy (Burgess/Duharra), Caoimhe Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Taylor Corbett (Gortnahoe/Glengoole); Evie Ahern (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Aoife O'Donnell (Boherlahan-Dualla); Olivia Looby (Borris-Ileigh), Molly Jones (Moyne-Templetuohy), Maria Groome (Borris-Ileigh), Saili O'Connor (Nenagh Eire Og), Melanie Flannery (Cahir), Lily Ivors (Ballingarry). Subs used: Lucy Lee (Newport/Ballinahinch), Rona O’Connor (Brian Borus), LucyAnne Cleary (Nenagh Eire Og), Mae Kennedy (Boherlahan-Dualla), Meabh Lonergan (Rockwell Rovers), Lorna Ryan (Templemore).

Limerick: Katie Hedderman, Chloe McGrath, Eilis O’Neill, Maria Conway, Chloe Carey, Saoirse Browne, Lucy Heffernan, Cara Clifford, Orla O’Connor, Aoife Donnelly, Lucy Higgins, Ciara Murphy, Eabha Hayes, Saoirse Bluett, Chloe McAuliffe. Subs used: Aisling O’Connor, Caoimhe Foley, Loren Quinn.

Fixtures: All-Ireland Junior ‘A’ (U16.5) PPS Final - Ursuline SS, Thurles v Loreto College, Kilkenny in Conahy on Friday @ 12.00pm

Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Championship - Dublin v Tipperary in O'Toole Park, Kimmage on Sunday @ 2.00pm