Tipperary U23 team performance enough to set up enticing Munster decider with Cork

Munster U23 Camogie Championship Semi-Final

Tipperary 2-13

Waterford 1-6

Tipperary booked their place in the Munster U23 final against Cork on Easter Monday after an impressive away victory over Waterford on Sunday.

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Played in beautiful sunshine despite the travel and early throw-in, Tipperary settled the quicker of the two teams, racing into an early lead with four points in succession by the ninth minute. Thurles Sarsfields’ Aoife Dwyer was excellent throughout, setting the tone early with some lovely scores from play and frees.

Waterford responded with a Róisín Kirwan free, but this was quickly cancelled out by another two points from Aoife Dwyer, who made full use of the first-half wind advantage. Waterford looked in real trouble when Ava Bevans goaled for the visitors in the 23rd minute to open up an eight-point lead.

With Maria Connolly and Miriam Murphy in command at full-back and centre-back, Tipperary went in at the break leading 1-8 to 0-2.

The Déise county performed better in the second half, but a second Tipperary goal, ten minutes after the restart, from Eva O’Dwyer proved decisive. Sisters Anna and Lily Fahie, along with Orla O’Brien and Lorna Ryan, were all very impressive for Bill Mullany’s side, who dealt well with the introduction of Waterford senior players Maggie Gostl and Mairead O’Brien.

Tipperary also introduced some senior panellists of their own, with Eimear Heffernan, Kate Ralph, and Celine Guinan all getting in on the action.

Waterford did pull a goal back through a Róisín Kirwan penalty late in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late, as Tipp recorded a 10-point victory.

It was a very satisfying win for this group of players, many of whom won Junior or Minor All-Ireland titles last year. They can now look ahead with optimism to the meeting with Cork in Kilmallock on Monday the 21st, and the subsequent All-Ireland championship in the summer.

Tipperary: Áine Slattery; Lorna Ryan, Maria Connolly, Paula Quirke; Ciara Gleeson, Miriam Murphy, Lily Fahie; Anna Fahie, Orla O’Brien; Grace Moloney (0-1), Kate Ferncombe, Aoife Dwyer (0-7, 0-3f); Eva O’Dwyer (1-1), Danielle Ryan (0-3), Ava Bevans (1-0).

Subs used: Eimear Heffernan (0-1), Caoimhe McCormack, Celine Guinan, Kate Ralph, Hannah Butler, Ali O’Kelly, Jennifer Heffernan, Emma Kelly.

Waterford: Hayleigh Acheson; Kaci Brazil, Faye Murphy, Aoife Murphy; Niamh Ryan, Aoife Hartley, Jane Landers; Oneila Whelan, Ciara Sherlock; Kelsie Obanya, Rachael O’Brien, Niamh Hally; Rhona Drohan, Róisín Kirwan (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), Katelyn Lyons.

Subs Used: Rachael Walsh, Mairead O’Brien (0-1), Maggie Gostl (0-2, 0-1f, 0-1 65), Vicky O’Sullivan, Emily Galgey, Mide Delaney. 

Referee: Philip Dee (Limerick)

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