Tipperary Camogie Scene

Eir All-Ireland Under 16 ‘A’ Championship Round 1:

Tipperary 2-20 Waterford 1-5

A dominant second-half performance saw Tipperary record a comprehensive victory over Waterford in the opening round of the All-Ireland Under-16 ‘A’ Camogie Championship at The Ragg on Sunday.

Munster champions Tipperary made a strong start and opened up a three-point lead but Waterford responded through the influential Aisling Counihan before Sophie McCarthy struck for a goal in the 13th minute to edge the Déise in front, 1-1 to 0-3.

The response from Tipp was immediate, levelling four minutes later before Maria Groome’s effort for a point dropped under the crossbar for a fortuitous goal to restore the lead at 1-4 to 1-1 — an advantage they would not relinquish thereafter.

Waterford failed to build on their goal and did not register another score for the remainder of the half as Tipp tightened up defensively and began to dominate around the middle third, where Aoife O’Donnell was particularly impressive.

Molly Jones and Maria Groome worked tirelessly in the half-forward line, while inside forwards Saili O’Connor and Lily Ivors were sharp and clinical. Ivors struck four points from play and added a free before the break, with O’Connor contributing two from play, as Tipp moved into a commanding 1-8 to 1-1 half-time lead.

Tipp continued to control proceedings on the resumption with Ivors and Groome adding further scores. In defence, Gráinne Troy and Evie Ahern were outstanding throughout, while Caoimhe Kennedy also impressed.

Groome’s brilliantly taken second goal in the 38th minute stretched the lead to ten points, effectively putting the contest beyond Waterford’s reach.

While Waterford battled gamely throughout, they found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities against a resolute and well-organised Tipp defence. Their bench also made a significant impact, with Lucy Anne Cleary firing over three excellent points, Mae Kennedy adding two, and Lucy Lee also getting on the scoresheet. Their combined contribution helped push the margin further clear as Tipperary powered to an emphatic victory, with Waterford’s second-half scores coming from Aisling Counihan, Katie Mullane and Maisie Roche who impressed on her introduction.

Next up for Tipperary is a home game against Limerick on February 22nd.

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney (Templemore); Grainne Troy (Toomevara), Katelyn Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Tara Maher (Borris-Ileigh); Kate Duffy (Burgess/Duharra), Evie Ahern (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Taylor Corbett (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Caoimhe Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Aoife O'Donnell (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-1), Melanie Flannery (Cahir), Molly Jones (Moyne-Templetuohy), Maria Groome (Borris-Ileigh 2-2), Olivia Looby (Silvermines), Saili O'Connor (Nenagh Eire Og 0-2), Lily Ivors (Ballingarry 0-9, 4f). Subs used: Elin Brennan (Newport/Ballinahinch), Ashling Cully (Cashel King Cormacs), Lorna Ryan (Templemore), Lucy Lee (Newport/Ballinahinch), LucyAnn Cleary (Nenagh Eire Og), Mae Kennedy (Boherlahan-Dualla), Meabh Lonergan (Rockwell Rovers), Rona O’Connor (Brian Borus).

Munster Under 16 ‘B’ Shield Final

Tipperary 2-15 Clare 1-7

Tipperary were crowned Munster Shield champions on Sunday following victory over Clare at Fethard Town Park.

There was little to separate the teams in the early exchanges, with both sides trading points throughout a closely contested opening quarter. By the 19th minute, Tipp held a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 advantage and went on to add the next two points. A crucial goal from Katie Bergin on the stroke of half-time proved a significant boost for Tipp, and they added a further point soon after to go in at the break in a strong position, leading 1-7 to 0-3.

Nadine Guinan contributed four points from placed balls, including a 45, while April Burke was impressive in the full-forward line with three points from play. Anna Lanigan also chipped in with a point. Clare’s first-half scores came courtesy of Cliona Millea, Croidhe Murray, and a free from Darcey Ryan.

Clare had the opening score of the second half thanks to Lucy Watson. Tipp responded with three unanswered points through Ella Groome, Nadine Guinan and Aisling Coffey to make it 1-10 to 0-4, ten minutes into the second half. Clare hit back with a goal three minutes later to reduce the deficit but immediately Tipperary responded with points from Aisling Coffey and Katie Bergin. Scores came easier for this well drilled Tipp team and when Lily Brennan raised a green flag in the 57th minute. Two more points from Nadine Guinan completed the scoring and an impressive team display.

Tipperary: Hannah Quirke (Kiladangan); Caragh Cooney (Burgess/Duharra), Saoirse Maher (Boherlahan-Dualla), Cara White (Moyle Rovers); Amy Hackett (Toomevara), Olive Spillane Leane (Moyne-Templetuohy), Emily Fanning (Ballingarry), Cara Butler (Drom & Inch), Maeve Lonergan (Cahir), Katie Bergin (Templemore 1-1), Nadine Guinan (Lorrha 0-7, 5f, 1 ‘45), Ella Groome (Borris-Ileigh 0-1), Anna Lanigan (Gortnahoe/Glengoole 0-1), Sasha O’Keefe (Holycross/Ballycahill), April Bourke (Templemore 0-3). Subs: Lara Shanahan (Slieve Felim Rapparees), Lucy Higgins (Drom & Inch), Aisling Coffey (Newport/Ballinahinch 0-2), Lily Brennan (Kiladangan 1-0), Nevaeh Tiernan (Portroe), Georgia Kerton (Moyle Rovers), Annie Flynn, Sarah Gleeson (Holycross/Ballycahill), Ella O’Donnell (Brian Borus).