Tipperary ladies footballers slip to yet another one-point defeat

Donegal 2-8 Tipperary 3-4 

Tipperary’s final Lidl Ladies National Football League game against Donegal proved to be a carbon copy of previous league games, as they slipped to their fourth defeat by a point in a thrilling game in Fethard Town Park on Sunday.

Donegal opened with a point from Jodie McFadden. Tipperary replied with a well-worked goal from Angela McGuigan after six minutes.

Donegal hit back with a goal three minutes later from Katie Herron.

Direct running by the Tipp forwards was causing the Donegal defence plenty of problems, and their efforts were rewarded with a goal from Marie Creedon.

A free from Susanne White for Donegal then narrowed the gap to the minimum.

However, Tipp restored their two-points lead with a free from Aishling Moloney, before an excellently-worked goal from Neassa Towey increased Tipp’s advantage to five points.

A free from Donegal’s Susanne White just before half time reduced the lead to four points. Tipp led at half-time by 3-1 to 1-6.

Donegal started the second half with another point from Susanne White. However, Tipp started to dominate the game, although they missed a number of very scorable chances to increase their lead and kicked four wides in a row.

Anna Rose Kennedy opened the second half scoring for Tipperary with a point from play after a strong run down through the middle.

Donegal replied with a point from Susanne White before White and Anna Rose Kennedy exchanged further scores with fifteen minutes remaining.

Tipp suffered a setback when a defensive mix-up from their kickout saw Ciara Dwan sin-binned.

Susanne White then reduced the gap to two points from a free for Donegal before she followed it with a point from play.

With six minutes left, Tipperary were dealt a hammer blow, as Niamh McLoughlin scored a well-executed goal to give Donegal a two-point lead.

Aishling Moloney reduced the deficit to the bare minimum heading into injury time.

In an exciting finale Tipp created a great goal opportunity right at the end but the Donegal ‘keeper made a great save from Angela McGuigan, and Donegal made the long journey home with a one-point win.

It was a disappointing end to the league campaign for Tipperary. One-point defeats to Tyrone, Westmeath, Kildare and Donegal were all very winnable games for Peter Creedon’s side.

They now face a very challenging Munster campaign against three Division One teams, Cork Kerry and Waterford, during April. The results of these games will dictate their group placing in the All-Ireland Championship.

Tipp scorers: Neassa Towey (1-0), Angela McGuigan (1-0), Marie Creedon (1-0), Aishling Moloney (0-2), Anna Rose Kennedy (0-2).

Tipperary: Ciara Dwan, Nora Martin, Emma Cronin, Cliona O’Dwyer, Sarah English, Maria Curley, Katelyn Downey, Laura Morrissey, Anna Rose Kennedy, Heather Spillane, Anna Downey, Neassa Towey, Angela McGuigan, Marie Creedon. 

Subs: Emma Morrissey, Clara English, Lauren Fitzpatrick, Niamh Martin, Emer McCarthy.