Improved performance but another loss for Tipp juniors at the hands of Kilkenny

Very National Camogie League - Division 2B

Tipperary suffered their second successive defeat in the Very Ireland Division 2B League on Saturday against a stronger Kilkenny outfit.

A Kilkenny goal on the stroke of half time was followed by two more goals within five minutes of the second half to kill off any chance of a Tipperary win.

The premier players will have huge regrets about conceding three goals at crucial times but can also take satisfaction in the response to the second half goals.

At no stage did they drop their heads but instead worked really well, enjoyed plenty of possession and scored a goal and five points, having only scored three points in the opening half.

After suffering a very heavy defeat in the opening round against Cork, manager David Sullivan was looking for a response from his side at home.

The signs were good early on as both teams exchanged early points and looked evenly matched in the opening quarter. After 16 minutes the game was evenly poised at 0-3 each. Tipperary points coming from Ellen Cunneen (2) and Claire Stakelum.

While for Kilkenny Afton Grace (1) and star forward Danielle Morrissey (2) had gotten on the scoresheet. Unfortunately for Tipp they failed to score for the remainder of the half as Kilkenny started to get a grip on the game with the Tipperary defence coming under huge pressure.

Three points from Danielle Morrissey, two from frees gave Kilkenny a three point lead with 27 minutes on the clock. Corner forward Claire Doheny then fired home the first of Kilkenny’s three goals. Kilkenny were really beginning to carve open the Tipperary rear-guard and had two more points to give them an eight point cushion at the break 1-8 to 0-3. Tipp needed to start brightly in the second half but it was Kilkenny who struck for an early goal.

Sarah Madden who was introduced as a half time substitute responded with an excellent point from distance but again Kilkenny found the back of the net this time from Danielle Morrissey.

Trailing 3-8 to 0-4 Tipperary looked dead and buried but spurred on by the impact from the fresh legs off the bench Tipperary showed great fighting spirit and produced some of their best camogie in the final 20 minutes.

Three points without reply from Ellen Cunneen (2) and Aoife Dwyer gave the home crowd something to shout about. Dwyer was unlucky not to have scored a goal when her original shot came off the crossbar before reacting quickest to the rebound and taking her point. Morrissey extended her own impressive personal tally with a pointed free to make it 3-9 to 0-7 after 48 minutes.

Ellen Cunneen pointed a free before Claire Stakelum flicked the ball over the endline for Tipperary’s goal after some sustained pressure from the Tipperary attack.

It was a deserving goal for Tipperary which put a better and more accurate reflection on the scoreboard. Danielle Morrissey had the final score of the game to leave the full-time score 3-10 to 1-8.

Plenty of improvements needed for Tipperary’s second side if they are to remain in division 2B for next year and have a say in this year’s Junior Championship.

However, there were also lots of positives for the management to take away from the game. Rachel Maher was excellent at full back while Ciannait Walsh and Lisa Cahill stood out too.

Up front Claire Stakelum was winning a lot of ball in the first half before picking up a knock but finished strong again in the second half with an important goal. Next up for Tipp are at home game against Wexford on the March 25th.

Tipperary: Aisling Carey; Nessay Murray, Rachel Maher, Aine Greed; Eimear Murphy, Lisa Cahill, Ciannait Walsh; Ciara Ryan, Katie Fitzgerald; Ciara McKeogh, Rachel Dwyer, Claire Stakelum; Clodagh Horgan, Eimear Myles, Ellen Cunneen.

Subs: Sarah Madden for Katie Fitzgerald; Aoife Dwyer for Eimear Myles, Caroline Shanahan for Aine Greed, Aishling Sheedy for Nessa Murray, Amy Callanan for Rachel Dwyer, Eimear Fogarty for Ciannait Walsh

Laura Leenane for Clodagh Horgan.

Referee: Enda Loughnane (Galway)