North Tipperary Women's Football League Review
By Gary Culbert
The North Tipperary Women’s League resumed after the break for the state exams, and did so with a bang.
Premier Division
Peake Villa delivered a ruthless performance on home turf, sweeping aside Holycross 6-0.
The game began competitively with Holycross showing resilience, despite fielding a depleted squad. Villa eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first half and doubled their lead before the break, both goals courtesy of skipper Chloe Shorley.
Holycross remained in the hunt for much of the second half, but their lack of depth began to show and fatigue became a factor as the game wore on. Ultimately, Villa stretched their legs in the final twenty minutes, scoring four unanswered goals to put a significant gloss on the win. Shorley netted half of them to bring her tally to four, whilst Lauren McCormack and Siobhan Carr were also on target for the home side.
Killavilla United continued their title defence last Wednesday with two unanswered goals away to Moneygall. Khya Lynch opened the scoring in the 57th minute off the back of a Tara Nolan pass, before Nicole Brooks put daylight between the sides in the 72nd minute.
Birdhill got back to winning ways last Wednesday with a 3-1 home victory over Holycross. Hazel Ryan scored a free-kick for Holycross, but an Abby Lenihan brace and one from Aoife Kennedy ensured the points stayed in Birdhill.
Division 1
Knigh United recorded a big win over Nenagh Celtic with Isabelle Kingston, Aoibhe Maher, Ruth Kennedy and Josephine Kennedy all getting on the scoresheet.
Newport Town then had a big win over Nenagh Celtic with Ailín Rochford, Lauren Bailey, Kerrie Lenihan, Ava Shinners, and Aoife Shinners all on the scoresheet.
Newport Town had a big win over Nenagh Celtic last Monday, with Ailín Rochford, Lauren Bailey, Kerrie Lenihan, Ava Shinners, and Aoife Shinners all on the scoresheet.
Knigh United made it three wins from three on Monday evening, coming out the right side of a five-goal thriller away to Newport Town.
Goals from Lauren Bailey and Emma Ryan either side of a Josephine Kennedy strike had the hosts 2-1 up at halftime, but a brace of goals from Medbh Ryan in the second half ensured Knigh stayed top of the table.
Shinrone United went away to Nenagh Celtic on Monday evening and picked up their first points of the campaign courtesy of a 3-1 win. The Offaly side netted through Leona McLeish, Rachael McLoughlin, and Ella Keeshan; Celtic converted a consolation penalty late on through Ana Carla Lopes Soares.
FAI Inter-League Cup
The FAI Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup got underway on Sunday in Ennis, with North Tipperary losing 4-1 to Clare in their first group game. Heather O’Neill from Newport Town got North Tipp’s only goal, whilst Abby Martin, Ailin Rochford and Abby Challen all stood out for the young side.
Donegal are the other team that make up the group, whilst the only other sides in this year’s competition are Wexford and Waterford, one of which will compete in the final against the other group winner.
The North Tipperary Women’s Football League team comprises of the best players from the league. This year, the 23-player squad is made up of players from Holycross, Killavilla United, Birdhill, Newport Town, and Peake Villa.