Moloney’s magic helps Tipp avoid relegation

LADIES FOOTBALL: LIDL National League Division 2 Round 7

Roscommon 0-10

Tipperary 1-12

Report: Ivan Smyth at St. Croan’s, Ballintubber Ballymoe

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aisling Moloney (Tipperary).

SCORERS – Roscommon: Laura Mannion 0-6 (1 free); Aisling Hanly, Marian Nolan 0-2 each.

Tipperary: Aisling Moloney 1-8 (0-5 frees); Emma Morrissey 0-2; Caitlin Kennedy, Caoimhe Condon 0-1 each.

Aishling Moloney’s 1-8 helped Tipperary preserve their division 2 status as the Cahir clubwoman produced her best display of the year.

In what was Moloney’s third game back following a leg injury, she was at her brilliant best as Tipperary gradually pulled away from Roscommon to consign their hosts to Division 3 for 2026.

Tipperary were still in the relegation picture prior to throw in and as results transpired, a defeat here would have seen them relegated. However, Tipperary produced a dominant second half display which means Roscommon and Clare, who were promoted from Division 3 last year, are both heading back down.

When the scores were deadlocked at 0-6 apiece at half time, Tipperary appeared to be in a dogfight. However, they had the wind at their backs, and they blew Roscommon off course in the second half as their pace of play improved while they could utilise kick passes from deeper to Moloney, which didn’t allow the Roscommon defence to get set.

With both teams needing a win to ensure their survival, the expectation was that the early stages would be tense with the sides engaging in a ‘feeling out process’.

However, that proved not to be the case as both outfits looked menacing going forward. Roscommon managed to power themselves into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after seven minutes as Laura Mannion opened the scoring after Aisling Hanly procured a turnover.

Moloney hit back with a free after Anna Rose Kennedy was hauled back but Tipperary were guilty of squandering chances as they saw three goal-scoring opportunities go abegging and a trio of efforts fly wide of the mark in the opening quarter.

Moloney’s quickly-taken free caught Roscommon napping in the seventh minute as she found Angela McGuigan who returned possession to the Cahir woman before Moloney’s goal-bound effort flew just wide. After going close, the full forward teed up Kennedy who was blocked by the retreating Roscommon defence while from the resulting ’45, Moloney set up Emma Morrissey who went low but blasted just wide.

Marian Nolan and Hanly helped Roscommon enjoy an early lead but with Emma Cronin enjoying an entertaining duel with the latter and Tipperary beginning to gain the upper hand in midfield, they began to battle back.

Moloney slotted two frees while well-taken points from Caoimhe Condon and Morrissey helped Tipperary inch ahead. A Mannion free restored parity before Hanly finished off a flowing team move to move Roscommon’s noses in front.

The home side knew they needed a lead facing into the breeze, but a Moloney score after Sarah English’s surge from deep saw the sides level at the break.

Tipperary then showed their class in the second half when they bagged 1-3 without reply as they controlled midfield which starved the dangerous Hanly of an effective supply of ball.

Morrissey kick-started the scoring and despite Angela McGuigan seeing her close range effort smothered and a 39th minute goal chalked off for a square ball after Moloney’s handpass across goal, Tipperary soon made the breakthrough.

Less than a minute after the disallowed major, Moloney gained possession and shrugged off two challenges before rounding goalkeeper Helena Cummins to tap home.

Caitlin Kennedy and Moloney pushed Tipperary’s lead to six before Laura Mannion got Roscommon’s first score of the second half after being held scoreless for the opening twenty minutes of the final period.

Mannion tried valiantly to drag Roscommon back into contention as she bagged four final quarter points, but Moloney scored three of her own during this period to help Tipperary secure their Division 2 status and give them some momentum before Championship fare commences.

TEAMS – Roscommon: Helena Cummins (6); Rachel Brady (Thomas Davis, Dublin, 7), Saoirse Wynne (6), Shauna Fitzmaurice (6); Megan McKeon (7), Abby Curran (6), Ria Lennon (7); Ellen Irwin (7), Laura Mannion (9); Ella Thompson (8), Shannon McGuinness (7), Niamh Watson (7); Aisling Hanly (8), Marian Nolan (7), Caoimhe Lennon (6).

Subs: Lisa O’Rourke (7) for Fitzmaurice (HT), Róise Lennon (6) for Lennon (HT), Niamh Feeney (6) for Curran (41), Megan Kelly (6) for Brady (53), Ciara Quinn (6) for Nolan (53), Amy Malone (6) for McGuinness (53).

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry, Capt 7); Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan 7), Lucy Spillane (Fethard 7), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers 8); Brid Condon (Ardfinnan 7), Maria Curley (Templemore 7), Sarah English (Ardfinnan 7); Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow 9), Caoimhe Condon (Brian Borus 8); Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow 7), Aoibhe O’Shea (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone 7), Clara English (Ardfinnan 7); Emma Morrissey (Aherlow 9), Aisling Moloney (Cahir 9), Angela McGuigan (Sliabh na mBan 7).

Subs: Sinead O’Carroll (Ardfinnan 6) for Condon (51), Neassa Towey (Templemore 6) for O’Shea (57), Ava Fennessy (Clonmel Commercials NR) for English (60).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).