Late free denies young Kilkenny team in minor affair with Tipperary

The Kilkenny minor camogie girls had to settle for a share of the spoils after a close fought encounter against near neighbours Tipperary last Sunday in Dunmore.

This match was a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland minor semi-final where eventual champions Tipperary edged Kilkenny in a very close match after extra time so a tight game was again anticipated in this second round league tie – Kilkenny having opened with a win against Dublin while Tipperary shared the spoils with Cork.

Conditions were good on a calm Sunday afternoon and the Kilkenny girls opened brightly with a Lucy Boyd free before Tipperary’s Lucy O’Brien levelled proceedings in the 4th minute.

Kilkenny then went on the offensive and scored the next four points.

This started with a fine Ciara O’Shea point from play after fielding a long puckout from Jenny Saunders and this was followed by a smart point from play by Emily Phelan who looked lively despite having played in a schools final the previous day.

Further points came via frees from Lucy Boyd and Ona Kennedy to stretch the lead to 0-5 to 0-1 and this advantage could have been greater if Molly Conroy’s close range effort for a goal had not been denied by the Tipp defenders.

Further Kilkenny points from Lucy Boyd from play and Molly Conroy saw the lead stretch to 0-7 to 0-2 after 20 minutes but Tipperary were now settling to their task with the imposing Caoimhe Stakelum starting to influence proceedings.

A fine run from Stakelum set up Elana McGrath for a goal in the 23rd minute and all of a sudden the lead was down to a point (0-7 to 1-3).

Both sides traded points before the half time break via Molly Conroy and Caoimhe Stakelum to leave the half time score at 0-8 to 1-4 for the home side.

This scoreline somewhat flattered Tipperary who were on the back foot for much of this half and suggested that a tight second half was in store.

Both sides added two points in the opening ten minutes of the half – Kilkenny scores coming from Niamh Davis and a Lucy Boyd free after a fine run by Rachel Phelan but Tipperary countered with scores from Elana McGrath and a Caoimhe Stakelum free.

This pattern continued into the closing quarter – Tipperary drew level with a good score from the improving Rachel O’Meara but Kilkenny held firm and two scores from Lucy Boyd (free) and Niamh Davis against one from Caoimhe Stakelum saw Kilkenny hold a narrow one point lead as the clock approached full-time.

Every ball was frantically fought for at this time and unfortunately for Kilkenny, the concession of a late free gave Caoimhe Stakelum the chance to level the match and a fine finish by her from long range saw the match finish level at full-time.

Kilkenny: Jenny Saunders, Caoimhe Power, Grace Brennan, Jessica Smith, Rebecca Hayden, Ona Kennedy, Taylor Aylward, Rachel Phelan, Eleanor Doheny, Lucy Boyd, Ciara O’Shea, Aisling O’Sullivan, Emily Phelan, Niamh Davis, Molly Conroy.

Tipperary: Danielle Butler, Sarah McLoughlin, Molly Loughnane, Leanna Coppinger, Clodagh Grimes, Isabel O’Donnell, Eva Ralph, Rachel O’Meara, Emma Kennedy, Caoimhe Stakelum, Lucy O’Brien,

Elana McGrath, Eimhear Troy, Caiara Cahill, Maeve Cunneen.

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan