New faces inspire Tipp to winning start over Antrim

CAMOGIE: Centra National Senior League Division 1A Round 1

Antrim 0-9

Tipperary 2-19

Report: Geraldine Kinane in Cushendun

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha)

SCORERS – Antrim: Nicole O’Neill 0-5 frees; Katie Molloy, Amy Boyle, Eobha McAllister (free), Maeve Kelly 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Caoimhe Stakelum 1-4; Eimear McGrath 0-4 (2 frees); Clodagh McIntyre 0-3; Niamh Treacy 1-0, Kate Ralph, Caoimhe McCarthy 0-2 each; Lucy Purcell, Roisin Howard, Karen Kennedy, Aoife Dwyer 0-1 each.

Tipperary made the long trip to Antrim on Saturday for the opening game of the National Camogie League Division 1A and returned home with all three points following a commanding team performance.

The Premier County were first to get on the scoreboard with midfielders Karen Kennedy and Kate Ralph opening the scoring in the early stages.

Newly appointed captain Caoimhe McCarthy burst forward from centre-back to add Tipp’s third point, soon followed by a score from Lucy Purcell, giving the visitors an early four-point lead.

Tipperary’s movement and support running was excellent and Kennedy twice almost had a goal but for an excellent hook in the tenth minute and a Catriona Graham save in the 19th minute.

Antrim quickly settled into proceedings with points from midfielders Nicole O’Neill (2) and Amy Boyle making it 0-4 to 0-3 after twelve minutes.

By the 17th minute, the visitors had gone eleven minutes without a score but hard work and persistence from Roisin Howard paid off when she split the posts.

The score kicked Tipperary into gear again with new captain Caoimhe McCarthy adding her second score following an excellent run from Clodagh McIntyre.

The crucial score of the half came in 29th minute when Eimear McGrath set up debutant Caoimhe Stakelum for a goal. McGrath followed with a pointed free, and Stakelum added the half-time salvo, leaving Tipperary ahead 1-10 to 0-4.

The second half began with Antrim striking early through a free from O’Neill and a point from Maeve Kelly, who had a great battle with Tipperary’s Celine Guinan throughout. Eimear McGrath responded with a pointed free, before O’Neill added another score for the home side.

Tipperary then gradually regained control with Clodagh McIntyre causing constant problems for the Antrim defence and contributing a couple of points herself.

Kate Ralph also added her second point while Caoimhe Stakelum showcased her skills with three more points to bring her tally to 1-4.

A highlight came when Niamh Treacy came off the bench and scored a goal with her first touch, extending Tipperary’s lead to a comfortable 2-19 to 0-10.

New manager James Heffernan will have been pleased with the overall team performance on his first day out, particularly the contribution of the younger players. debutantes Isobel O’Donnell at corner-back and Caoimhe Stakelum at corner-forward slotted in seamlessly, while the midfield pairing of Kate Ralph and Karen Kennedy teamed up well in the middle of the park. In defence, Caoimhe McCarthy and Celine Guinan impressed, while upfront Clodagh McIntyre and Roisin Howard worked tirelessly. All the substitutes made meaningful contributions, ensuring Tipp maintained their dominance throughout.

Tipperary now turn their attention to their next challenge, a clash away to Kilkenny in Freshford this Saturday at 3.00pm, where a tougher test awaits with the cats having beaten All-Ireland champions Galway by one point in their opening game while league champions Cork fell to an impressive Waterford side.

TEAMS - Antrim: Catriona Graham (7); Colleen Patterson (7), Shannagh Heggarty (6), Clare McKillop (6); Laura Black (6), Niamh Cosgrove (7), Erin Coulter (6); Amy Boyle (6), Nicole O’Neill (7); Maeve Kelly (7), Lucia McNaughton (6), Katie McKillop (6); Ellen McIntosh (6), Janey McIntosh (6), Katie Molloy (7).

Subs: Eobha McAllister (6) for E McIntosh (HT); Dearbhail Dobbin (6) for Black (44); Aimee Ferris (6) for O’Neill (49); Cliona Griffin (6) for K McKillop (50); Orlaith McAllister (NR) for J McIntosh (57)

Tipperary: Áine Slattery (Shannon Rovers 6); Isobel O’Donnell (Brian Borus 7), Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers 7), Eimear Loughman (Clonoulty/Rossmore 6); Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey/Borris 6), Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla-D Kickhams, Capt 7), Emma Carey (Thurles Sarsfields 6); Kate Ralph (Moycarkey/Borris 7), Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields 7); Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonaghs 6), Roisin Howard (Cahir 7), Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha 8); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 8), Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch 7), Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs: Aoife Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields 6) for Quinlisk (45), Mary Burke (Drom & Inch 7) for Ralph (50), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess/Duharra 6) for Guinan (50), Niamh Cunneen (Silvermines 6) for Stakelum (56), Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch 7) for Howard (58).

Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare).