Tipperary fall short in round 3 championship clash against the Cats
Tipperary[s U16 team lost out to Kilkenny last Sunday afternoon
EIR U16A All-Ireland Championship
Tipperary 0-6
Galway 1-10
Kilkenny produced a dominant second-half display to overcome Tipperary in the County Camogie Grounds, The Ragg on Saturday. After a closely fought first half, the decisive moment came early in the second period when Kilkenny’s Dearbhla Ryan struck for the game’s only goal, swinging the momentum firmly in the Cats’ favour.
Playing against the wind in the opening half, Tipperary had put in a strong showing and trailed by just a single point at the break.
Kilkenny’s Ryan, a late addition to the starting lineup for the injured Amy O’Shea, opened the scoring before Tipperary hit three unanswered points—one from Grace Cleary and two from the lively Alice Butler. Kilkenny, however, responded in kind, with Niamh Drennan, Emma Hogan, and Katie Dunphy all finding the target to edge them ahead at halftime.
An early second-half exchange saw Eilish Keating extend Kilkenny’s lead, only for Cleary to respond immediately with a pointed free.
However, less than a minute later, Dearbhla Ryan struck for a crucial goal that proved to be the turning point in the contest.
Lifted by the score, Kilkenny took complete control, dominating in all areas of the pitch and rattling off five consecutive points without reply. Ryan added to her tally alongside Katie O’Shea and Muireann Kenny, leaving Tipperary with a mountain to climb.
Tipp fought hard and continued to push forward in the closing stages. A Grace Cleary free and a fine effort from Lucy Rabbitte kept their hopes alive, but Kilkenny’s defence stood firm in the closing stages.
Tipperary enjoyed plenty of possession and won several frees as they searched for a late goal, but the Kilkenny rearguard, led by their composed goalkeeper, denied them any further scores.
In the end, Kilkenny’s second-half dominance proved too much for Tipperary, as they secured an impressive victory.
Tipperary: Faye Ahern; Brid Delaney, Rosie O’Brien, Ava Fanning; Evanne Gleeson, Jessie Shanahan, Carley Walsh; Brid Woodlock, Neasa Dwan; Lucy Rabbitte, Grace Cleary, Anna Carr; Cailin Kennedy, Sophie Moynihan, Alice Butler.
Kilkenny: Caoimhe Corcoran; Hannah Tennyson, Mairead Duggan, Erin Morrissey; Meabh Kenny, Moya O’Shea, Eva Tynan; Emma Hogan, Holly Ryan; Muireann Kenny, Grace Farrell, Dearbhla Ryan; Katie O’Shea, Niamh Drennan, Katie Dunphy.
Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork)