North Tipperary Women's Football League Review

By Gary Culbert

Premier League

An understrength Holycross entertained BT Harps in an end to end contest in game week one, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Harps got off to the perfect start from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, Grace Cummins converting after Anna Larkin was fouled in the area. The hosts equalised just before halftime, Abby Challen finding the net from a Hazel Ryan corner kick.

It was a game full of grit and determination, but there were no further goals in the second half and a draw was probably the fair result. The best for BT was Julie Grey, whilst Kate Carr and Leanna Coppinger impressed throughout for Thomas Dwan’s side.

Harps were in action again on Tuesday, securing their first win of the season thanks to a Chloe Keannelly Bateman hat-trick against Moneygall.

Weather conditions turned sour right before kick-off making it difficult for both sides to play football. However, Harps adapted best and took a deserved early lead with a looping shot over the Moneygall keeper. The visitors doubled their lead with a finely struck free kick in the 20th minute.

The youthful Moneygall side eventually settled into their first ever home game and started to get on the ball a lot more, and in the 26th minute Emma Costello opened their account following a fine pass from Karen Pierce.

Moneygall came out in the second half in similar fashion and quickly levelled proceedings when Costello latched onto a pass from substitute Ava Moroney. Both sides had chances to win the tie, but it was BT that took the initiative with another well hit free kick in the 82nd minute by Kenneally Bateman, to complete her hat-trick and seal all three points for the visitors.

First Division

Having produced many fine players at underage level, Knigh United made history in week one when they fielded a junior women’s side for the first time ever.

Shinrone played their part in producing a game worthy of the historic occasion, with the home side leading 3-1 at half time thanks to goals from Paula Quinlan, Ella Keeshan, and Kerry McLeish while Meadbh Ryan scored the goal which kept Knigh in the game.

The visitors made some changes at half time, which resulted in a midfield inspired quick-fire goal rush after the restart. Josephine Kennedy reduced the deficit to one goal, before Isabelle Kingston levelled proceedings. Kennedy made it 4-3 shortly after, before the final nail in the Shinrone coffin was hammered home by Olibhia Mulhall.

Newport Town got their season off to the perfect start on the Bank Holiday Monday thanks to a 2-1 win away to Shinrone. The hosts went ahead just before the half-hour mark through Paula Quinlan’s second goal in as many games, but two quick-fire goals just after half time for Newport were the difference. Lauren Bailey levelled the tie on 45 minutes, before skipper Ailin Rochford clinched the points five minutes later.

There will be a break in the North Tipp Women’s Football League action now until after the Leaving Cert.