Emphatic Tipperary put Wicklow to the sword in Junior Camogie Championship

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Championship - Round 1

Tipperary  5-17 

Wicklow    2-3 

A massive return of 5-4 from corner forward Jean Kelly helped Tipperary to a 21-point victory over Wicklow on Saturday in the County Camogie Grounds The Ragg. 

Despite always looking like winning the game Tipperary were far from the finished article and struggled at times in the opening quarter. 

Some poor wides and shot selection at times along with the concession of two goals will give David Sullivan’s side a lot to work on ahead of a trip to Cavan in two weeks time. 

Tipp were firm favourites heading into this clash especially after Wicklow suffered a very heavy defeat in their opening game against Cavan. 

Tipp had three points on the scoreboard before Wicklow’s star performer Katie Tyrell got their opening score from a free after six minutes. 

The homeside were dominant all over the field early on with Wicklow struggling to get any ball into their inside forward line. At the opposite end Tipp’s forwards enjoyed plenty of possession but the final pass or final score eluded them at times with Wicklows’s Jade Byrne and Aoife Connolly working tirelessly to keep them out. 

On the 17th minute Wicklow found themselves level with Tipp 1-2 to 0-5 after a Katie Tyrell free from out near midfield landed short of the target, hit the surface and flew into the back of the net beating all the Tipp defence and Aoife O’Brien in the goals. 

The goal however was the catalyst to a much-improved Tipperary performance as they started to play with much more urgency that Wicklow in the end couldn’t live with. 

Three points in succession including a great solo effort from wingback Ciara McKeogh had David Sullivan’s charges three points ahead before Jean Kelly struck for her first of a wonderful five goal tally. 

Great skill and movement by Caroline Shananhan created the opportunity and she found Kelly who made no mistake to beat Caitlin Hughes in the Wicklow goal. 

Tipp finished the half strong with points from Clodagh Horgan and Aoife Dwyer to give them a comfortable eight point lead 1-10 to 1-2. 

Despite the best efforts of a young Wicklow side the second half was all Tipperary. Two quick points from substitute Ellen Cunneen and Clodagh Horgan was followed by another Katie Tyrell pointed free before Jean Kelly raised another green flag in the 39th minute. 

Kelly was on fire in the second half with a goal on her mind every time she got the ball. Wicklow had no answer for her as she took on her defender coming in from the left at every opportunity and then blasting the ball to the far right corner. She goaled again in the 49th, 53rd and 61st minute to the delight of the great home support. Wicklow struck for another goal of their own in the 43rd minute. 

Emma Byrne was fouled just outside the 21 and as Katie Tyrell stepped up to take it instructions from the sideline was to go for it. Go for it she did and Tipp  failed to keep it out making it 2-3 for Katie and Wicklow. 

This made it 2-14 to 2-3 but it was also Wicklow’s final score of the game while Tipperary powered past them and finished with some great scores to run out impressive winners on a final scoreline of 5-17 to 2-3. 

Tipperary are now guaranteed a quarter final spot but will finish top of the group if they can succeed where they failed last year in beating Cavan. They face Cavan away on Saturday week 24th June. 

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien; Nessa Murray, Miriam Murphy, Ciara Ryan; Ciara McKeogh (0-1), Lisa Cahill, Ciannait Walsh (0-1); Katie Fitzgerald, Amy Crosse; Caroline Shanahan, Ciara Brennan (0-1), Aoife Dwyer (0-2); Saoirse McGrath, Clodagh Horgan (0-5), Jean Kelly (5-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45m).

Subs: Rachel Maher for Miriam Murphy, Eimear Murphy for Caroline Shanahan, Ellen Cunneen (0-2) for Amy Crosse, Aoife McLoughney (0-1) for Saoirse McGrath, Eimear Moyles for Ciara Brennan.

Wicklow: Caitlin Hughe; Casey Kelly, Katie Daynes, Alice Mulhall; Aoife Connolly, Jade Byrne, Marie Deegan; Aoife Keddy, Sarah Lambe; Emma Byrne, Katie Tyrell, Poppie Rose Cullen Dunne; Daisy Summer Cullen Dunne, Sophie Bermingham, Nicole Curran.

Referee: Ciarán Groome (Roscommon)