Tipperary junior camogie team claim first league win in impressive fashion

Tipperary's junior camogie team face Kildare in a Littlewoods Ireland national league division two relegation playoff in Stradbally on Saturday

placeholder image — Tipperary's junior camogie team face Kildare in a Littlewoods Ireland national league division two relegation playoff in Stradbally on Saturday

VERY National Camogie League - Division 2B - Round 3

Tipperary’s second team recorded their first win of the season with a hard earned and well-deserved victory over Wexford in the county camogie grounds in the Ragg on Saturday.

With the aid of the wind Tipperary started brightly.Aoife McLoughney starting her first game of the year immediately had an impact with two well taken frees to put Tipperary into the lead. Tipperary were playing well and enjoying plenty of possession but in the 10th minute against the run of play Wexford opened their account with a goal by Cathy O’Connor.

Tipp responded with a point from play by Thurles Sarsfields Aoife Dwyer. Dwyer’s point from play was the first of three points in a row for David Sullivan’s side as they opened up a two point lead 0-5 to 1-0 with 17 minutes played.

Two minutes later the lead was back to one thanks to a pointed free from Wexford’s Oonagh Doyle. Tipp finished the half very strong with four points in a row. Sarah Madden pointed twice either side of an Aoife McLoughney point from play.

While in injury time Aoife nailed another free to give Tipp a deserving lead at the break 9 points to 1-1. Things were looking even better for the home team when a minute into the second half, halftime substitute Ciara McKeogh found the back of the net.

Tipperary’s joy was short lived as almost from the puckout Wexford got in for a goal of their own. The goal gave Wexford a lift and with the advantage of the wind they began to take the game to Tipp and eat into the lead. Three points in succession (two frees from Doyle and a Grace Roche score from play) made it 1-9 to 2-4 with 12 minutes played in the second half.

Tipp needed a score to settle again and Jean Kelly duly obliged.

The Annacarty attacker’s pace and energy was instrumental in all that was good about Tipperary’s play. Aoife McLoughney had another point from play as in an entertaining second half both sides continued to exchange scores. As the clock ticked towards injury time Oonagh Doyle pointed a free to leave a goal in it 1-13 to 2-7.

Again Tipperary went on the attack with Sarah Madden and Jean Kelly splitting the posts to ensure victory. A late Ciara Butler point reduced the deficit but in the end Tipperary were full value for their four point win.

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien, Ellie Butler, Rachel Maher, Nessa Murray, Ciara Ryan, Lisa Cahill, Ciannait Walsh, Clodagh Horgan, Caroline Shanahan, Ellen Cunneen, Rachel O’Dwyer, Sarah Madden (0-3), Aoife Dwyer (0-1), Jean Kelly (0-2), Aoife McLoughney (0-8, 0-5f).

Subs used: Ciara McKeogh (1-1), Katie Fitzgerald, Amy Callanan, Aisling Sheedy, Eimear Myles.

Referee: Fintan McNamara