Tipperary U23s record fine home win against arch rivals Kilkenny!
Tipperary's U23 camogie team defeated Kilkenny last weekend
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland U23 Camogie Championship
Tipperary 1-18
Kilkenny 0-17
By Michael Dundon
Tipperary followed up on their rout of Waterford in round three with a hard-earned victory over Kilkenny in a highly entertaining Glen Dimplex All-Ireland U23 camogie championship at The Ragg on Saturday, a win that earns them a place in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Having begun the campaign with two defeats, to Cork and Galway, a win in this encounter was imperative to keep the Premier girls in the championship frame, and they rose wholeheartedly to the challenge, their second half performance being particularly impressive. The challenge now for them is to build on the momentum they have as they face into the business end of the championship.
Kilkenny are also through to the semi-finals and were expected to take the honours here, but the Tipp girls, despite a second quarter slump and losing centre halfback Miriam Murphy to a red card in injury time, showed admirable grit to grind out the result they needed to advance.
With Aoife Dwyer deadly accurate from placed balls, Tipp raced into a 0-4 to no score lead after seven minutes, but then Kilkenny settled to dominate the remainder of the half, going in at the break 0-9 to 0-7 ahead.
Aoife Dwyer almost had a goal in the 11th minute when her long-range free looked to be going over the line but was scooped to safety by the Kilkenny goalie Sinead Farrell.
The second quarter fade-out was ominous but manager Bill Mullaney’s half-time encouragement for his players worked wonders, and they resumed with 4 points without reply from Danielle Ryan, Aoife Dwye, Kate Ferncombe, and Grace Moloney to go two clear after six minutes.
A further three pointed frees from Aoife Dwyer opened the gap to five points before Kilkenny had their first score of the second half, a Rachel Dowling pointed free in the 42nd minute.
She added 2 further points from frees in the next four minutes, but the crucial score of the game came in the 47th minute when Aoife Dwyer netted for Tipp to put them five points clear.
Kilkenny were not going under easily, and the closing period was hectic as the Noresiders threw everything at the home side, who showed great heart in the manner in which they absorbed the challenge.
Tipp were helped by two top-class saves by goalie Aine Slattery in that period as they defended their precarious lead. The loss of Miriam Murphy to a red card for an untidy tackle didn’t break their resolve as Kilkenny sought an equalising goal, but in the 5th minute of added time, Danielle Ryan put the game beyond Kilkenny’s reach with a point for a four-point win.
Bill Mullanny had every reason to be proud of his charges, whose growing confidence after two wins will add to their momentum heading into the All-Ireland semi-final with Galway, most likely opponents. Particularly encouraging was how they picked themselves up when Kilkenny looked to be gaining the upper hand, but there is lots of room for improvement.
Aoife Dwyer’s free-taking was a vital element of the Tipp performance, with nine points from placed balls, and she had 1-1 from play for good measure. Goalie Aine Slattery also made crucial stops while Danielle Ryan showed wonderful leadership, particularly in the second half.
While they were the stars, the contributions of Celine Guinan, Miriam Murphy, Maria Connolly, and Emma Kelly were also worthy of note in what was a fine all-round team performance.
Kilkenny are not done yet and have a semi-final joust with most likely Cork coming up. They paid dearly for their poor start to both halves, but when in full flight, showed the quality they possess with top-drawer performances from such as Hannah Larkin, Tara McGrath, Rachel Dowling, Ellen Gunner, and Lauren Ronan.
Tipperary: Aine Slattery (Shannon Rovers); Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore), Maria Connolly (Drom & Inch), Lily Fahey (Cashel King Cormacs); Emma Kelly (Borris-Ileigh), Miriam Murphy (Silvermines), Eabha Dolan (Moyle Rovers, 0-1); Grace Moloney (Cashel King Cormacs, 0-2), Orla O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty); Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers), Kate Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore, 0-1), Aoife Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-10, 0-9f); Anne Fahey (Cashel King Cormacs), Danielle Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty, 0-3), Hannah Butler (Cashel King Cormacs).
Subs used: Paula Quirke (Boherlahan Dualla); Ciara Gleeson (Gortnahoe Glengoole); Caoimhe McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams, 0-1).
Kilkenny: Sinead Farell; Hannah Larkin, Eadaoin Coady, Sofia Kerr; Muireann Gannon, Tara McGrath, Aisling Browne; Laura Phelan (0-2), Emma Mulhall; Katie Byrne, Rachel Dowling (0-9, 0-7f), Ellen Gunner (0-1); Lauren Ronan (0-2), Ciara O’Keeffe (0-1), Amy Brennan (0-2).
Subs used: Rachel Whelan; Emma Poyntz; Eabha Carroll.
Referee: Joseph Mullins (Clare)