Tipperary Legends mark 20 years since historic Camogie success
Tipperary's first All Ireland Senior Camogie winning team marked twenty years since that historic success with a Legends reunion game in Thurles last Saturday.
September 5th last marked twenty years to the day since Tipperary defeated Kilkenny in the first ever fifteen aside final at Croke Park to capture the O'Duffy Cup for the very first time.
Members of the panel as well as supporters from that era gathered at Dr Morris Park in Thurles for the annual Camogie Legends game, played in memory of the late Biddy Phillips who was a manager on that successful side along with selectors, the late Jim Madden and Timmy Moloney, with Michael Cleary, Colm Bonnar and Sean Hennessy at the coaches who helped turn the ship around.
Not only was it a historic success, it was also achieved in amazing fashion considering Tipperary were hammered 9-19 to 2-7 by Cork in the National League final just over three months previous.
However, Michael Cleary's arrival saw preparations improve markedly and following wins over Clare and Down, Tipperary reached their first All Ireland senior final where they took on a Kilkenny side that have won the title on twelve previous occasions and were red hot favourites.
Bat that didn't deter Tipperary who came from 1-5 to 0-7 behind at half time to win 0-12 to 1-8 with Caitriona Hennessy's late free securing victory for the Premier ladies with captain Maedhbh Stokes lifting the Cup on the steps of the old Hogan Stand.
Tipperary would go onto win four more All Ireland titles over the next five years in what was a golden age for age for camogie in the county.
Tipperary team v Kilkenny: Jovita Delaney (Cashel); Suzanne Kelly (Toomevara), Una O'Dwyer (Cashel), Claire Madden (Portroe); Maedhbh Stokes (Cashel, Capt), Ciara Gaynor (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Sinead Nealon (Burgess); Emily Hayden (Cashel), Angie McDermott (Knockavilla); Noelle Kennedy (Toomevara), Therese Brophy (Burgess), Helen Kiely (Drom & Inch); Eimear McDonnell (Burgess), Deirdre Hughes (Toomevara), Niamh Larkin (Drom & Inch). Subs used: Philly Fogarty (Cashel), Caitriona Hennessy (Drom & Inch).
Other panellists: Louise Ryan (Holycross), Sheena Howard (Burgess), Maria Harkin (Drom & Inch), Helen Campion (Cashel), Nora Dwan (Toomevara), Grainne Shanahan (Toomevara).