Tipperary's minor team grinds out hard-earned win over Cork to reach Munster final

Tipperary 0-9 Cork 0-6

Similar to last summer’s exciting Munster final encounter, Tipperary and Cork played out another thrilling and closely-fought game on Saturday in the County Camogie Grounds in The Ragg. On this occasion it was Tipperary who emerged victorious, digging out a three-point victory in a low-scoring but gripping game.

Cork had the advantage of the wind in the opening half but it was Tipp who struck first with an opening point from Danielle Ryan, who was one of Tipp’s standout players before going off injured late in the second half.

Kate Fennessy levelled proceedings with a well-taken 45 before Tipperary enjoyed a great spell with four unanswered points. Lucy Purcell, Lucy Heffernan and Ava Bevans all combined before Lucy Purcell pointed to put Tipp back in front.

Her Thurles Sarsfields clubmate Caoimhe Stakelum added a point from a free before Purcell was again on the end of some great attacking play from Tipp to score her second point. Caoimhe Stakelum then scored a superb free in the 19th minute to put the home side into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead.

The Cork response was excellent, as they soon began to grow more and more into the game.

Ava Fitzgerald, who was a commanding figure throughout the hour in the middle of the field, pointed before they had two points in a row from the lively Lucy O’Connell.

Kate Fennessey added another score to leave the sides level at the break, five points apiece.

Six minutes into the second half Cork were in the lead for the first time thanks to a Rachael Roche point.

Amazingly, this was to be Cork’s only score in the half and their last of the game, as they struggled to break down the Tipperary defence.

Sarah Corcoran was excellent throughout at centre back while Eabha Dolan came thundering into the game at wing back in the second half.

While scores were at a premium in the second half there was no shortage of physical tussles, as both sides showed huge fight and determination.

By now Ciara Shelly was operating at centrefield and with Caoimhe Stakelum also coming further out the field, Tipperary started to get to grips on Cork around the middle of the pitch.

A Danielle Ryan point in the 41st minute levelled the game before Caoimhe Stakelum put Tipperary into the lead with a free.
Danielle Ryan then added her second in the 47th minute to make it 0-8 to 0-6.

Cork badly needed a score but it failed to materialise against a resolute Tipp rearguard.

With full time approaching Caoimhe Stakelum converted her fourth free to give her side a three-point win.

Tipperary will now face Waterford in the Munster final on Sunday February 18.

Tipperary: Danielle Butler (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Paula Quirke (Boherlahan/Dualla), Aoife Mellerick (Newport/Ballinahinch), Ellie Franklin (Moyle Rovers), Eabha Dolan (Moyle Rovers), Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey/Borris), Caithlyn Treacy (Moneygall), Lucy Heffernan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Ava Wall (Moyle Rovers), Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields 0-2), Danielle Ryan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill 0-3), Emer Dwan (Cashel King Cormacs), Ava Bevans (Borris-Ileigh), Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 0-4 frees), Ciara Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris).

Subs: Ava Gaynor (Kilruaner MacDonaghs) for Ava Wall, Elana McGrath (Holycross/Ballycahill) for Lucy Heffernan, Nicola Kelly (Shannon Rovers) for Emer Dwan, Leanna Coppinger (Thurles Sarsfields) for Danielle Ryan.

Cork: Emma O’Sullivan, Blaithin O’Connor, Sinead Hurley, Saoirse Cunningham, Orlaith Cremin, Laura Dunlea, Keeley Goulding, Ava Fitzgerald (0-1), Rachael Roche (0-1), Ava McAuliffe, Kate Fennessy (0-2, 1 ‘45), Amy Sheppard, Lucy O’Connell (0-2), Rachael Murphy, Ailish Scanlon.

Subs: Louise O’Neill for Ava McAulifee, Amy McCarthy for Kate Fennessy, Amy O’Riordan for Rachael Roche.