Tipperary News & Notes 29.06.2015

TIPPERARY UNDER 14 TEAM
Tipperary Ladies Football Under 14 team will travel to Ballymahon, Co. Longford to play Donegal in the All Ireland Under 14 Championship Final on Saturday next at 4.00pm.
This Tipperary team under the management of Manager Ed Burke and selectors Gareth Byrne, Tony Smith, Frances Ryan and Mary Murphy have worked diligently to qualify for this final. The girls have played six games to qualify for Saturday’s final, with the most memorable games coming in two epic Munster Finals against Waterford with Tipperary eventually winning by a point after extra time in a replay. A facile win against Longford in the All-Ireland Semi-Final has solidified the confidence of the girls but everyone involved understands that nothing but their best performance of the year will suffice in Saturday’s final. All support for this team is welcome with a bus to be organised if required – for details check www.tipperaryladiesfootball.ie

TIPPERARY INTERMEDIATE TEAM
Match Report by Declan O’Shea, Assistant PRO
The Tipperary Intermediate Ladies football team travelled to Ardfinnan on Saturday 27th June for this round three clash with neighbours Limerick.  Both sides were in search of their first victory after defeats to Clare and Waterford and Tipperary lined up with 5 personnel changes from the previous week’s defeat to Waterford.  Tipperary captain for the game Anne O’Dwyer won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the opening half.

Tipperary’s opening score came in the third minute from Tipperary’s Gillian O’Brien following a well-timed pass from Lorraine O’Shea. Limerick replied with a point of their own from Stephanie Carroll but almost immediately Tipperary goaled from Gillian O’Brien after excellent work from Niamh Lonergan. The Tipperary forwards were now beginning to click and a point from Lorraine O’Shea and another Gillian O’Brien score saw the Tipperary ladies lead 1-3 to a point for Limerick. After Limerick scored their second point on seven minutes Tipperary went on to add another 1-6 without reply. Tipperary goalie Lauren Fitzpatrick was outstanding making a superb one handed diving save from Limericks best player Dympna O’Brien at point blank range. Her kick outs were directed towards the midfield where Sheelagh Carew and Aisling McCarthy were playing as if they had been together for years. Their ball distribution was spot on and with the Tipperary defence reading the game expertly Tipperary went in at half time 2-12 to 0-6 ahead. The Tipperary fullback line of Treasa McGrath, Emma Buckley and Elaine Kelly were faultless throughout the half and defended their goals at all times. With Limerick to play against the wind in the second half a rout looked a distinct possibility. Tipperary made one change at half time with Shauna Ryan replacing Sarah Everard in the corner.

The second half began with Limerick attempting to put some scores on the board. Tipperary soaked up the early pressure and from a break the tireless Sheelagh Carew for Tipperary found herself in on goal and made no mistake with a lovely swivel and shot past the keeper. Limerick then had a goal disallowed for a square ball but managed a point almost immediately. Incredibly this was to be Limericks last score of the match in the fourth minute of the second half such was the Tipperary dominance. Tipperary’s fourth goal quickly followed when Lorraine O’Shea again laid off to Gillian O’Brien who was now on song at full forward. Tipperary scores followed like clockwork almost on every attack and a further four goals from the boots of Aisling McCarthy, Sheelagh Carew, Niamh Lonergan and Laura Dillon put Tipperary out of sight. These all came in a four minute spell between the eight and twelfth minutes. The Limerick defenders were forced to foul the Tipperary ladies time and time again with Aisling McCarthy punishing them every time from frees. With twelve minutes remaining Tipperary brought on Breda Feeney, Maria Curley and Bernie Ryan for Louise Cadell, Roisin McGrath and Aoife Ryan. Hazel Shanahan was introduced for Anne O’Dwyer with five minutes remaining.

To be fair to the Limerick ladies they had plenty of possession but could not make it count or hold onto it. A noticeable feature of the Tipperary defence was the ability to win clean ball and hit accurate passes when it mattered. Very little ball was wasted with all players working hard for one another.  Anne O’Dwyer and Sheelagh Carew were back to their best in defence and at midfield. Aisling McCarthy from midfield and Gillian O’Brien at full forward tormented the Limerick defence at will. Lorraine O’Shea’s ability to work back and assist the backs while operating on the half forward line was seen time and time again. Laura Dillon will have enjoyed her role in the forwards today and contributed 2-2 from play. Tipperary’s Niamh Lonergan and Aoife Ryan worked themselves into the ground and hassled at every opportunity.
Both teams will now enter the qualifiers but at least Tipperary will be buoyed by this victory. In a confident frame of mind, Tipperary will fancy their chances in the next game. Full Time score, Tipperary 8-24 Limerick 0-7

Tipperary : Lauren Fitzpatrick, Treasa McGrath, Emma Buckley, Elaine Kelly, Louise Cadell, Anne O’Dwyer, Roisin McGrath, Sheelagh Carew 2-0, Aisling McCarthy 1-9 (4F), Niamh Lonergan 1-1, Aoife Ryan, Lorraine O’Shea 0-3, Laura Dillon 2-2, Gillian O’Brien 2-8, Sarah Everard.
Subs Used: Shauna Ryan 0-1 for Sarah Everard, Breda Feeney for Aoife Ryan, Maria Curley for Louise Cadell, Bernie Ryan for Roisin McGrath, Hazel Shanahan for Anne O’Dwyer

TIPPERARY MINOR TEAM
Tipperary will play Waterford in the Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Minor Championship Final next weekend, for fixture details follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/tippladiesfootball.com