County Finals Saturday 10^th Sept 2016

In a feast of top class club action Tipperary LGFA hosted three county finals on Saturday 10^th September in Galtee Rovers grounds, Bansha. There were three county titles up for grabs. In the senior final Brian Borus the defending champions were pitted against an Aherlow side containing some experienced inter county players also. The Intermediate final saw a clash between an experienced Ardfinnan outfit and a youthful Templemore team who have made the journey from Junior ‘B’ to Intermediate in successive seasons. The Junior ‘A’ decider saw the meeting of Clonmel Commercials and Thurles Sarsfields in the opening game at 12 noon.

Tipp LGFA  :  Senior Championship Final – Brian Borus ‘v’ Aherlow

This was a game that saw Brian Borus the defending champions installed as red hot favourites in many people’s eyes. This team  have  years of experience playing as a senior side and can call upon a number of players featuring on county sides, past and present. As the game began it was Brian Borus  who took the finals opening score from Jennifer Grant playing at full forward. The opening minutes were all Brian Borus with Aherlow having to defend deep. With twelve minutes played Aherlow keeper Emer McCarthy was called to made a fine save at a stage when Boru’s were threatening to open the flood gates . This save seemed to inspire Aherlow and they got themselves back into contention with points from Aine Staunton & Grainne Condon. Up front for Boru’s Patricia Hickey was the target woman and was picking off the points from frees and open play.  The best move of the game saw Mairead Morrissey for Borus playing as a deep midfielder gain possession and carry fast ball forward before unloading to team mate Jennifer Grant. Grant continued the move before finding the flying corner forward Amy Sweeney who, with a little work still to do blasted the games opening goal to the net. With the score now at 1:04 to 02 for Brian Borus and approaching half time Aherlow needed a finish and this came courtesy of centre back Aine Staunton who was impressing with her strong runs. Staunton unleashed a powerful shot from all of thirty yards which gave the Boru’s keeper no chance with its ferocity. 1:05 to 1:03 and now it was Aherlow who began to grow in confidence with Captain Siobhan Condon also having added a nice point from play in the twenty eigth minute. Boru’s Trisha Hickey ended the half with another pointed free to leave just three between the sides at half time.

The second half had only begun when play was stopped for injuries to Aherlows Brid Condon and Boru’s Eimear Myles with both players needing attention. When play resumed referee Keith Delahunty produced a yellow card for Boru’s Myles who was deemded the guilty party in the collision. The two teams now traded points with Staunton for Aherlow and another free from Boru’s Hickey to leave the gap still at 3 points, 1:07 TO 1:04 and fourteen minutes played. Aherlows Claire Mullins now began unsettling the Brian Borus defence with her fast runs through the middle and it was this player who also kicked the scores that brought Aherlow within winning distance of this game. Three points from Mullins saw the scores at 1:08 to 1:07 before another Hickey free gave Brian Borus some breathing room with three minutes remaining and restoring their two point advantage. Both sides now exchanged some  wides such was the intensity of the defending and it was this intensity that saw Boru’s number 12 Orla Fleming given a straight red for a dangerous high tackle on Aherlow’s Mullins that left her needing attention. With the clock now in the red neither side could add to their totals and it was Borus who took the title having answered the many questions Aherlow had asked during the course of the game.

Brian Borus 1:09 Aherlow 1:07. The cup was presented to winning captain Sinead Norris by county chairperson Mrs Biddy Ryan. Player of the match trophy was awarded to Boru’s player Laura Morrissey by Tipp LGFA secretary Ms Siobhan Condon.

Brian Borus : N Noonan, A Meaney, N Gilmore, M C Murphy, C Condon, L Morrissey, S Norris(capt), E Myles, M Morrissey, C O’Dwyer, P Hickey ;08 (6f), O Fleming, C Lyons, J Grant ;01, A Sweeney 1:0. Subs: C Condon, H Walsh, C Walsh, S Maher, S Crotty, M Murphy, L Murphy, E Kennedy, N Kennedy, F Burke, C Hickey, S Kennedy, Z Lynch, K O’Brien.

Management Team : Billy Macken & Johnny Sweeney. Mentor, Aoife O’Dwyer. Physio  Michelle Slattery.

Tipp LGFA Intermediate Championship Final – Ardfinnan  â€˜v’ Templemore

Saturday’s second final saw the meeting of Ardfinnan & Templemore in what promised to be an interesting encounter. In an earlier round Ardfinnan had gotten the better of the northern ladies but Templemore were now boosted by the return of some players from injuries.

The game began with an Ardfinnan wide and it was they who looked the more threatening in the games early moments. Templemore’s Niamh Long opened the scoring with a nice point from play and immediately afterwards she linked up with Aoibhe O’Shea who also pointed to give Templemore a two point lead. Ardfinnan were pressing forward but the Templemore backs were content to contain these attacks and then break quickly. A pointed free by A O Shea added to the Templemore lead and Ardfinnan had yet to find a way through the Templemore defence where county players Maria Curley, Louise Cadell together with dual stars Miriam Campion and Christina Brennan were doing well. In the eight minute Templemore were reduced to fourteen players when their number 7 Christina Brennan was sin binned for a personal foul on Ardfinnan Captain Claire Hally as she attempted to break through the Templemore defence. Despite the sin binning it was Templemore who scored next with another nicely taken point by free taker Aoibhe O’Shea. Free taker O’Shea then turned provider when she off loaded to older sister and midfielder Lorraine who made no mistake with a powerful run and finish to the Ardfinnan net to put Templemore ahead 1:04 to :01 and sixteen minutes played.  Templemore’s Brennan now rejoined the action following her sin binning but almost immediately another player was sin binned when referee R O Connor  adjudged that Templemore’s number 4 Aine Greed had committed an indiscretion. Templemore nevertheless finished the half with another two points from A O’Shea (1f) following some good work by full forward Niamh Treacy and Kate Cashman in midfield. Ardfinnan were best served in this half by Laura Dillon, Samantha Lambert and Claire Hally but the Templemore defence and midfield were well on top throughout.  Half time score Templemore 1:06 Ardfinnan: 01.

The second half began with Ardfinnan pressing hard in an attempt to narrow the gap with Templemore still reduced to 14 players. A point from their number 5 Laura Dillon playing in the forwards was then followed by a lengthy lay off when Templemore’s midfielder Lorraine O’Shea required on field treatment for a nasty facial injury received from a flying elbow when in possession. Strangely the free was then awarded against Templemore when play resumed and without the midfield player who required further treatment off the field. The game changed in Ardfinnans favour  when Templemore’s full back was sin binned with ten minutes played and Templemore ahead 1:06 to :02. Templemore Keeper Katie Bourke now made an excellent finger tip save when Ardfinnan Captain Hally looked certain to score. With twenty two minutes played Templemore were now forced to defend and when Ardfinnan were awarded a penalty it looked as if the game might be about to turn on its head. However Ardfinnan’s and Laura Dillons shot went narrowly wide when a goal was badly needed. Alice Tobin then had Ardfinnans 3^rd point from play but the gap was still seven points in favour of the fourteen player Templemore side. Maria Curley rejoined the fray following her sin binning and midfielder Lorraine O’Shea quickly followed her for Templemore. With numbers and parity restored Templemore quickly regained the momentum with the impressive Miriam Campion stroking over another point. Ardfinnan replied to make the scoreline 1:08 to :04 but again it was Templemore through county player A O’Shea who finished the stronger adding two further points (1f) to leave the full time score Templemore 1:10 Ardfinnan :04.

Ardfinnan will be disappointed but on the day they were defeated by a stronger side who came out on top in most areas of the field. Cashman & O’Shea in midfield, Campion, Cadell & Brennan in the half back line all impressed throughout. Up front the forwards all gelled together with A O Shea (:08) accurate from frees and open play. Long & Treacy did Trojan work for Templemore against an older and more physical Ardfinnan side.

The cup was presented to Templemore Captain and fill back Maria Curley who thanked all their supporters and management team for their efforts the past number of years. Player of the match award was presented by Tipp LGFA & Munster Sec Ms Siobhan Condon and went to Templemore’s full forward Niamh Treacy.

Templemore : Katie Bourke, Katie Collins, Maria Curley (Capt), Aine Greed, Miriam Campion (:01), Louise Cadell, Christina Brennan, Kate Cashman, Lorraine O’Shea (1: 0), Aoibhe O’Shea (08 (5f), Elaine Fitzpatrick, Niamh Long (:01), Caoimhe Burke, Niamh Treacy, Ruth Butler. Subs: S Buckley, R Collins, D Kirwan. C Nyland, L McGrath, O Maher, A Ormond, C O Brien,A Delaney, A Kelly, M Eviston, K A Bergin, S Cahill, L O Toole.

Management : Sean Cashman, Tony Collins & Mary Butler. First Aid, Margaret Bergin.

Tipp LGFA  Junior ‘A’ Championship Final – Clonmel Commercials ‘v’ Thurles Sarsfields

The Junior ‘A’ championship final opened proceedings in Bansha on Saturday 10^th Sept with an encounter between two young sides battling it out for the title. These two sides are well acquainted with one another and very little between them in the recent times.

Both sides began brightly and Thurles Sarsfields took the lead after Clonmels opening score from Sarah Ryan. Clodagh Irwin & Andrea Loughnane showing well for the “Sars” Ladies with a point apiece.. With twenty two minutes played it remained Thurles Sarsfields :03 to Clonmel’s :01 as both sides sought the openings. The next two minutes however proved something of a purple spell for Clonmel  Commercials when forward Sarah Ryan took a hold on proceedings and contributed her second point from a free and immediately afterwards rocked Sarsfields with another goal and a point to put Clonmel ahead 1:03 to :03. Thurles Sarsfields replied with a pointed free and this half had come to life as both sides battled for supremacy approaching the half hour mark. Clonmels Saoirse McGeever down on programme as number 2 was now playing in the forwards and linking up nicely with Anna Carey at number 15. Clonmels Aisling Deely received an injury and was replaced by Courtney Lonergan. Trailing by two points Sarsfields now upped their game and were rewarded when their full forward Ciara O’Dwyer finished to the net to put Thurles Sarsfields ahead approaching half time, 1:04 to 1:03. The two sides now traded points after S Ryan had levelled for Clonmel. Half time score Thurles Sarsfields 1:05 Clonmel Commercials 1:05

The second half began with a Clonmel whirlwind with a point from C Lonergan which was followed by a fine goal from Anna Carey to put the Clonmel side ahead 2:06 to 1:05. Sarsfields keeper Holly O’Dwyer was forced into a fine save almost immediately from the now marauding Anna Carey who then added a point to put Clonmel ahead 2:07 to 1:05. Clonmels Siobhan Murchan was sin binned for a personal foul in the fourteenth minute after which the teams traded points once more. Clonmels S Ryan now added a point from a free to put Clonmel ahead by six with tem minutes remaining. Sarsfields were dealt a blow when corner back Rebecca Loughnane was sin binned with five minutes remaining. Thurles Sarsfields now required goals with time running out but the Clonmel defence stood up to the challenge and it was they who finished proceedings with two points from Ava Fennessy (1F) in the dying moments.

Full time score : Clonmel Commercials 2 :11 Thurles Sarsfields 1:06

The Cup was presented by Ms Siobhan Condon Tipp LGFA to Dara Walsh Captain of the winning side. Player of the match award went to the impressive Anna Carey who had played a roving role from corner forward to such deadly effect.

Clonmel Commercials :  Anne Marie Landers, Saoirse McGeever (01), Sally Quinlivan, Tanya Peters, Martha Faulkner, Niamh Mackey, Dara Walsh (Capt), Sarah Ryan (1:06 (4f), Caoimhe Bowles, Betty Barlow, Keely O’Reilly, Zoe Farrell, Aisling Deely, Lorna Ni Cheallaigh, Anna Carey (1:01). Subs Ava Fennessy (02), Shannon Keating, Aoife Doyle, Kate Barlow, Courtney Lonergan (:01), Emily Corcoran, Hayleigh Lonergan, Michelle Keogh, Karen Kavanagh, Siobhan Murchan.

Management : Tom O’Ceallaigh, Charlie McGeever, Brian White, Conal O’Reilly. Physio, Niamh White.

Next week end sees the finals of the county Junior ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ grades up for grabs.

Declan O’Shea

Tipp LGFA PRO