Tipperary defeat Antrim despite ringing the changes last Saturday

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship - Round 3

Tipperary 1-17

Antrim 0-6

By Michael Dundon

A third win on the trot sees Tipperary topping their group in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship as the Premier girls recorded a comprehensive 14-point win over Antrim at The Ragg on Saturday.

Anything other than a win for the home county would have been a major shock. Antrim had already shipped heavy defeats at the hands of Derry and Kilkenny prompting Tipp manager Denis Kelly to rest some of his regulars. 

Next up is Limerick and finally, depending on other results, a possible top-of-the-table clash with Kilkenny. Three teams go through from the group to the All-Ireland knock-out stages with Kilkenny, Waterford, and Tipp the strongest trio.

The expected victory was achieved but the performance left manager Denis Kelly content that the job was done but stressing that there was room for improvement. Tipp were in control from the start, on top in most sectors, and with Grace O’Brien most impressive in attack, were 1-9 to 0-2 clear after the Nenagh girl’s goal in the 23rd minute.

At half-time Tipp’s advantage was 1-12 to 0-2, the only thing now at issue being the margin of victory. While allowing for the fact that they played into the breeze in the second half, Tipp scored just five points in the period to Antrim’s four, the Ulster girls hitting the last three points of the game. 

Given that scoring difference could yet have a bearing on the top places in the group, the failure to more strongly reflect their superiority on the scoreboard, could come back to haunt the Tipp ladies.

The important thing however was the result and following earlier wins over Waterford and Derry Tipp are strongly placed to follow up their National League success with an All-Ireland title, something they have not achieved since 2004. 

Management opted to give fringe players match time and the manager was pleased that some had put up their hands for a starting place in future games.

Another positive for Tipp was the game time Cait Devane secured as she missed out on the earlier campaign due to her wedding. A fully match-fit Devane is crucial to the Tipperary challenge to bridge the 20-year gap and while her contribution was largely from frees, her class and leadership was very evident.

However, it was Grace O Brien who topped the individual honours with a sparkling display in the attack that yielded 1-5 from play. The Antrim defense had no answer to her pace and finishing power. Eimear Heffernan too put in a strong performance in attack while further back the field Niamh Treacy, Emma Carey,  and Aoife McGrath all had fine games.

Tipp next play Limerick away on the week-end of June 22nd with a win again expected but there is no room for complacency as the build-up to the business end of the championship looms.

Antrim are on a bad run at present and out of contention for a place in the knock-out stages with two games still to play. 

They started well enough and were just two points down after 10 minutes,(0-2 to 0-4) but it soon became evident that they did not have the quality of the Tipp girls as the game drifted steadily away from them. Goalkeepers Caitriona Graham, Yvonne Morton, Siobhan McKillop, and Roisin McCormack worked very hard for them but they didn’t have the support needed to seriously challenge the home team. 

Tipperary: Nicole Walsh; Julianne Bourke, Clodagh Quirke, Niamh Costigan; Emma Carey, Caoimhe McCarthy, Aoife McGrath; Ellen Cunneen (0-1), Niamh Treacy (0-1); Eimear Heffernan, Mary Bourke, Ciardha Maher; Jean Kelly, Cait Devane (0-10f), Grace O Brien (1-5).

Subs used: Sarah Madden for Kelly (HT); Aoife Dwyer for Costigan (37); Karin Blair for Cunneen (45), Clodagh McIntyre for Maher (47); Karen Kennedy for Heffernan (50).

Antrim: Catriona Graham; Maria McKenna, Megan McGarry, Claire McKillop; Erin Coulter, Yvonne Morton, Aimee Boyle; Jane McIntosh, Siobhan McKillop; Marie Kelly, Cassie McArthur, Fionnula Kelly (0-1); Caitriona Dobbyn, Roisin McCormack (0-5f), Sarah Fife.

Subs used: Anna McKillop for Fife (44).

Referee: Donnacha O Callaghan (Dublin)