Tipperary ladies fall to a narrow defeat in close encounter in Castleblayney

Lidl Ladies Football League - Division 2 - Round 2

Tipperary 1-6

Monaghan 0-10

Tipperary lost their second league game of 2025 to a Monaghan senior ladies team who have the opposite record with two from two after a tight battle  in the Castleblayney Faughs Grounds on Sunday last in Division 2, Round 2 of the Lidl National League 

Sunday's game couldn’t have been played under any better setting for February, with the underfoot conditions of the Castleblayney pitch excellent, plus the absence of wind and the sun shining brightly in the second half was a plus.

Monaghan’s Jodie Mc Quillan and Jennifer Duffy were primed for the throw-in, as Casey Treanor was through to take the pass, but was stopped in her tracks as she advanced, Éabha Sherry put over the resulting free with ease to get the scoreboard moving in the first minute of play. 

Monaghan's defensive style of play didn’t stop Tipperary in the initial minutes with Emma Morrissey converting two free in between a point from Ava Fennessy, this resulted after a kick out went astray. 

As the team started to get to grips with the defense role and the forward line working in unison Amy Garland landed a super point from way out and Casey Treanor who played a starring role throughout led the charge again toward the forward arena, and second free was converted by Sherry. Aoibhe O’Shea for the visitors came back with one from play to put them two up as the second quarter emerged. 

A sideline kick for Tipp eventually came back of the post to safety as an injury to Emma Morrissey held up play for a time. As play resumed, it became apparent Monaghan had adapted to the game well as first Leanne Maguire put over from a placed ball, been awarded a free for her persistence and a goal chance somehow went astray for Niamh Flannagan, but Aoife Burns having claimed the resulting kick out went from distance to put over a beauty. 

Tipperary were now finding it difficult to penetrate the Monaghan rearguard, but Anna Rose Kennedy eventually and steadily found a way to put over from play. Jennifer Duffy after a good run through the middle put herself on the scoreboard as half-time emerged with Monaghan one to the good 0:6 to 0:5.

The second-half changes saw Tipp bring Ava Ryan to the field, as Orna Kelly starring in her goalkeeping position, pulled off three brilliant saves in a matter of minutes to keep Monaghan safe, however, it was Emma Morrissey who resumed the scoring with one from play in the third minute. 

Treanor again won the free for Sherry to convert in the sixth minute seeing Monaghan keep their noses in front. Sophie Corley was called into play in the 37th minute to assist the hardworking defence who were now on top of their game. 

A yellow card for Tipps Nora Martin for a foul on Duffy saw the visitors now down to fourteen, with Sherry putting over the resulting free. Monaghan were now totally on top, but not without glimpses of good attempts from the Southerners as a high ball had to be dealt with, and indeed so by the well-balanced backline. 

Laura Connolly replaced Niamh Flannagan to keep the efforts up with time ticking away, as a good block in the backline kept the danger averted for Monaghan. 

Lauren Garland entered the fray to assist in the forward line, as Tipp suffered another sin bin with Hazel Brennan being the played adjudged to have overstepped the mark. A long shot in from Monaghan came back of the post but Casey Treanor put the passage to good use with a simple tap over being the first to react. 

Tipp had a chance at the other end when the post denied them also, but Monaghan were quickest to respond. Enter injury time and it became a battle with a free awarded to Tipp, Emma Morrissey went for the juggler and hand-assisted it landed in the Monaghan net, it was a blow for the Farney with the three points wiped out in an instant, but it wasn’t over yet. 

Lauren Garland led the charge from the kick out and earned a free into the bargain, which Sherry converted as the final whistle blew much to the relief of the Farney ladies. 

It was a day when the defense were at their very best with Caoimhe Brennan and Shona Brady in particular lauding it and Casey Treanor being at the forefront in the forward line, that said the whole team had to be applauded for their tenacity and determination.

Tipperary Ladies: Lauren Fitzpatrick; Nora Martin, Lucy Spillane Emma Cronin; Sarah English Maria Curley, Brid Condon; Anna Rose Kennedy, Sinead O’Carrell; Hazel Brennan, Neasa Towey Aoibhe O’Shea (0-1);  Caoimhe Condon, Emma Morrissey (1-4, 0-2f) Ava Fennessy (0-1). 

Subs used: Ava Ryan; Kate Cashman; Nicole Shelly; Niamh Martin.

Monaghan: Orna Kelly; Caoimhe Brennan, Shona Brady, Dervla Cawley; Aine Loughman, Aoife Burns 0-1, Sophie Power; Jennifer Duffy (0-1),  Jodie Mc Quillan; Casey Treanor (0-1)  Niamh Flanagan, Grace Hanratty; Amy Garland (0-1),  Leanne Maguire (0-1), Éabha Sherry (0-5f).

Subs used: Sophie Corley; Laura Connolly; Lauren Garland. 

Referee: Philip Conway (Armagh)