Tipp hold Kerry to head into All-Ireland Series with hope

LADIES FOOTBALL: TG4 Munster Senior Championship Round 3

Kerry 1-6

Tipperary 1-6

Report: Dan Kearney at Austin Stack Park, Tralee

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aishling Moloney (Tipperary).

SCORERS - Kerry: Siofra O’Shea 0-3 (2 frees); Niamh Carmody 1-0; Rachel Dwyer 0-2; Leah Boyle 0-1.

Tipperary: Aishling Moloney 1-5 (0-4 frees); Caitlin Kennedy 0-1.

It finished honours even in Austin Stack Park on Sunday as Aishling Moloney inspired Tipperary to a share of the spoils with league and All-Ireland champions Kerry in the final round robin game of the Munster Championship on Sunday.

The game had little at stake with Kerry already through to the final while Tipperary were playing for pride and momentum going into the All-Ireland Championship where they will play Ulster runners-up Donegal and the winner of the Connacht final between Galway and Mayo.

The home side played against a strong breeze in the opening half, and it was Tipperary who took more of their chances despite having less of the possession. After a cagey start to proceedings, Kerry struck first on six minutes when Niamh Carmody’s free found Siofra O’Shea, who under pressure laid off to Rachel Dwyer for the opening point.

Tipperary responded in the eighth as Aishling Moloney was fouled and converted the free. A goal chance for Kerry on ten minutes ended in a point after Julia Curtin’s effort was parried out for a 45. Tipp took the lead a minute later when Moloney finished low to the net past the onrushing Katie Hannan after a quick counter.

Leah Boyle narrowed the gap to two with a point on thirteen minutes. Tipp, however, edged further ahead with scores from Moloney and Kennedy, but Kerry stayed in touch through two O’Shea frees in the final minutes of the half. At halftime, Tipperary led narrowly, 1-3 to 0-4.

With the breeze to their backs Kerry had an ideal start to the second half. After yet another closely fought start, an audacious forty yard attempt at a point from Niamh Carmody dropped into the back of the net past Lauren Fitzpatrick.

Moloney levelled six minutes later with a free, as Tipp started to get right back into the tie. Kerry almost waved their second green flag before the end of the third quarter; Carmody again involved, and her goal-bound shot was denied by a superb block by Emma Cronin.

Rachel Dwyer restored Kerry’s lead soon after, but again it was the imperious Moloney that responded again, this time with a brilliant effort from a tight angle to make it 1-5 to 1-5 by quarters end.

In the 47th minute, Tipp had another chance at goal, Moloney's long-range free dipped dangerously but was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Kerry keeper Katie Hannan. Kerry pushed ahead once more when O’Shea pointed her first from play in the 49th minute, giving them a narrow lead.

But again, Aishling Moloney had the answer, another free splitting the posts in the closing stages, as the sides played out a hard earned draw.

TEAMS - Kerry: Katie Hannan; Kayla O’Connor, Eilish Lynch, Cait Lynch (Capt); Ciara McCarthy, Emma Costello, Aoife Dillane; Aishling O’Connell, Anna Galvin; Niamh Carmody, Jadyn Lucey, Leah Boyle; Siofra O’Shea, Rachel Dwyer, Julia Curtin.

Subs: Caoimhe Evans for Curtin (HT); Roisin Rahilly for O’Connor (HT), Eabha O’Connor for McCarthy (44), Fay O’Donoghue for Lynch (55), Melanie Higgins for Dwyer (57).

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry, Capt); Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Laura Morrissey (Brian Borus), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Sarah English (Ardfinnan), Maria Curley (Templemore), Kate Cashman (Templemore); Neassa Towey (Templemore), Caitlin Kennedy (Aherlow); Heather Spillane (Fethard), Ava Ryan (Moyne-Templetuohy), Issy Carr (Holycross/Ballycahill); Aishling Moloney (Cahir), Eva Cremins (Arravale Rovers), Ava Fennessy (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs: Angela McGuigan (St Sylvesters) for Cremins (HT); Clara English (Ardfinnan) for Spillane (37), Brid Condon (Aherlow) for Cashman (44), Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow) for Ryan (55); Hazel Brennan (Moyle Rovers) for Towey (55).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork).