Tipperary Juniors book All Ireland final date in Croke Park with big win over Roscommon

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Camogie Junior Championship Semi-Final

Tipperary will be represented on All-Ireland Final day in Croke Park for the first time since 2006 after David Sullivan’s side secured a 2-12 to 0-08 point victory over Roscommon in Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA on Saturday.

They now look forward to a clash with Clare in the first game of a triple header on Sunday 6th August at 12.50pm.

Roscommon’s centre forward Niamh Watson got them off the mark early with a lovely strike with just a minute on the clock.

Tipperary responded with two in a row from the in-form Jean Kelly who struck all five of Tipperary’s opening points (two frees).

A Shauna Fallon free after 6 minutes saw the sides level 2 points apiece after a lively start to the game in difficult weather conditions.

Another Shauna Fallon point in the 15th minute was to be Roscommon’s last score of the game as Tipp raised the intensity and dominated the second quarter.

The forwards began to find their groove with Aoife Dwyer sparking into life with two well taken points either side of an excellent Claire Stakelum point from the wing.

Moments later Tipperary almost raised a green flag when a Clodagh Horgan strike for a point came off the post. Aoife McLoughney pulled on the breaking ball but her shot went just inches wide. Despite this missed goal chance Tipperary looked comfortable going in at the break with an 0-8 to 0-3 lead.

Roscommon came out after the break with a much greater intensity and some huge workrate with Orla Connolly and Rachel Fitzmaurice in particular coming more and more into the game in midfield. Ellen Cunneen pointed to make it 0-10 points to 0-4 after 39 minutes.

The scores weren’t coming easy for Tipp while 2 points in a row from Watson and Fallon reduced Tipp’s lead to just four points and caused some anxious moments among the travelling Tipp supporters.

Having gone 10 minutes without a score Jean Kelly used her pace to go on the attack and her strike for a point deceived the Roscommon keeper and dipped under the crossbar to the delight of the Tipp management.

Three minutes later Jean did it again with another goal. This time there was no doubting her intentions after some fine play by Aoife Dwyer set Kelly free and she gave the keeper no chance finishing to the bottom corner.

A pointed free from the player of the match Jean Kelly was cancelled out by the brilliant Watson on the 53rd minute.

Ciara Brennan had a huge influence on the game with her physicality and massive work rate at centre forward and she got her just rewards for all her efforts by getting her name on the scoreboard for Tipp’s final score late in the game.

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien; Lisa Cahill, Aisling Sheedy, Ciara Ryan; Rachel Maher, Ciannait Walsh, Ciara McKeogh; Ellen Cunneen (0-1), Katie Fitzgerald; Aoife Dwyer (0-2), Ciara Brennan (0-1), Claire Stakelum (0-1); Aoife McLoughney, Clodagh Horgan, Jean Kelly (2-7, 0-3f).

Subs used: Nessa Murray; Eimear Myles; Amy Crosse; Saoirse McGrath; Rachel O’Dwyer.

Roscommon: Michaela Fallon; Shone Hanly, Marie Carty, Chloe Whyte Lennon; Sarah Dooley, Sally Bolger, Aine O’Meara; Orla Connolly, Rachel Fitzmaurice; Shauna Fallon (0-4, 0-3f), Niamh Watson (0-4), Niamh Fitzgerald; Anna Campbell, Claire Curley, Sinead Mannion.

Referee: Brian Kearney (Louth)