Tipperary retain their unbeaten record

For their final round game in the Lidl National Football League Tipperary travelled across the border to Limerick to meet their hosts in Staker Wallace GAA Grounds, Martinstown. Already top of the table Tipperary just needed this win to retain their unbeaten record.

Although there was a strong wind throughout the game it had little impact on the proceedings and Tipperary were first to the score board with an Aishling Moloney point. In the eleventh minute Patricia Hickey raised the green flag for Tipperary when she hand punched the ball to the back of the net. Aishling Moloney and Niamh Lonergan added two further points before Cathy Mee scored Limerick’s first and only point of the half. Aishling Moloney got Tipperary’s second goal from a Roisin McGrath pass on the twenty sixth minute. Further points from Aishling Moloney, Niamh Lonergan and Roisin McGrath gave Tipperary a comfortable cushion at half time, Tipperary 2-6 Limerick 0-1.

Limerick opened the second half with a point in the thirty first minute. But Tipperary left no one in doubt in the next ten minutes as they added a goal and three points; Aishling Moloney (2 frees), Caoimhe Condon (0-1) and Laura Dillon (1-0). Mairead Kavanagh and Maire Condon traded points on the fortieth minute. Aishling Moloney pointed for Tipperary before Mairead Kavanagh and Stephanie Carroll added points for Limerick. Tipperary hit another purple patch scoring an unanswered one goal and three points; Aisling McCarthy (0-1), Catherina Walsh (0-1), Patricia Hickey (0-1) and Eimear Myles (1-0). Limerick’s final point was from Cloda Kirby while Aishling Moloney and Patricia Hickey added another point each for Tipperary. Tipperary 4-16 Limerick 0-6.

Although a one sided affair, Tipperary will still have learned from the game as they used all players available to them on the day, giving each player on the panel game time in the league. They now await the Semi Final against Offaly on Sunday, April 16^th at a venue to be decided.

Tipperary team - Lauren Fitzpatrick; Bríd Condon, Siobhan Condon, Rachel O'Donnell; Maria Curley, Emma Buckley, Laura Dillon; Samantha Lambert (C), Eimear Myles; Niamh Lonergan, Aishling Moloney, Roisin McGrath; Maire Condon, Alison Lonergan, Patricia Hickey.

Tipperary scorers - Aishling Moloney (1-7, 3 frees), Patricia Hickey (1-2), Laura Dillon (1-0), Eimear Myles (1-0), Niamh Lonergan (0-2), Roisin McGrath (0-1), Catherina Walsh (0-1), Caoimhe Condon (0-1), Maire Condon (0-1), Aisling McCarthy (0-1)

Subs used - Elaine Fitzpatrick for Niamh Lonergan (h/t), Caoimhe Condon for Samantha Lambert (h/t), Elaine Kelly for Maria Curley (h/t), Jennifer Grant for Elaine Fitzpatrick (44^th, injury), Aisling McCarthy for Roisin McGrath (47^th), Mairead Morrissey for Alison Lonergan (47^th), Catherina Walsh for Maire Condon (47^th).