Munster Under 14A Ladies Football Championship Semi Final 

By Una O’Brien

Tipperary 1-5 Cork 3-3

Tipperary Ladies Under 14 team had home advantage in Bansha playing Cork Ladies in the Munster LGFA Under 14 A semi-final on Saturday last. The stakes were high for both teams, as the winner would progress to the U14 A Munster final against Kerry and the losing team would be bowing out of the competition.

Cork stormed out of blocks from the throw in and only for a great save by Tipperary goalkeeper, Megan Tynan in the opening minutes, Cork would have converted their first scoring opportunity. However, it was Tipperary that were first on the scoreboard with a free from Emer McCarthy after three minutes, with Cork’s Zoe O’Herlihy balancing the books a few minutes later, with a pointed free also. Both teams played defensively in the first quarter, which meant scores were very difficult to come by. A great run through the Cork defence by Tipperary midfielder Niamh Hayes and good link up play with the Tipperary half forward line, almost resulted in Tipperary’s score but it went marginally wide by Emer McCarthy. However, a minute later Emer composed herself and stepped up and slotted over a second free for Tipperary.

The first of Cork’s goals came on the sixteenth minute mark by Gráinne Ui Murchú and consistent pressure by the Cork midfielder’s and half forward line resulted in their second goal on the twenty fifth minute by Eabha O’Neill. Cork’s second goal seemed to ignite the Tipperary girls into action and resulted in Tipperary having two goal chances but tenacious defending by the Cork full back line, meant these opportunities were not converted but instead resulted in well taken points by Rachel Moore on twenty six minutes and Niamh Hayes on twenty eight minutes. However, Cork appeared to intensify the pressure and were running at pace at the Tipperary defence, which resulted in a penalty for Cork on the thirtieth minute, which was initially well saved by Tipperary goalkeeper Megan Tynan but on the rebound, a foul appeared to have been committed in the small square for which Tipperary’s Cathy Hogan received a yellow card and seen Cork being awarded a second penalty within a few minutes. Cork’s full forward, Laoise Collins made no mistake for their second penalty opportunity and slotted the ball into the Tipperary net. The final score in the first half came from Tipperary’s Emer McCarthy who converted her third free. Half time score Cork 3-1 Tipperary 1-4.

Tipperary made three changes at half time and played without wing back Cathy Hogan until she resumed play from been sin binned in the first half, which meant Tipperary were under huge pressure in stablising the defence and midfield areas. Tipperary tried incredibly hard throughout the second half to work the ball up the field to scorable positions, with Rachel Moore and Cathy Hogan making some sterling runs and working hard but the scores just wouldn’t come, with Tipperary only scoring once in the second half with a point from Ellie Peters near the end of the game. The Tipperary backs were under constant pressure in the second half, with Sarah English and Ellen Gantley working trojanly to keep the Cork forwards having to shoot under pressure. Cork clocked up a further two points in the second half and were awarded a third penalty opportunity on the thirty fourth minute. Again, Tipperary’s goalkeeper who was superb throughout the game, pulled off another fantastic save. Final score Cork 3-3 Tipperary 1-5

The Tipperary girls will be extremely disappointed at exiting the Munster Championship at this stage and know that they perhaps did not play at a high enough level of intensity and to their full potential in this Munster Semi Final. Cork seemed to have been that bit hungrier and determined on the day. Ed Burke and his management team however, can take some comfort that there is a high calibre of players at this age group and the experience of competing in A grade competition, will stand to them in the future.

Thanks to the Management team of Ed Burke, Helen Kennedy, Michael Towey, Pat Morrissey and Paul Stapleton for their commitment to Tipperary Ladies Football. A special mention to the players and parents who have given up their free time. Tipperary Ladies Football would like to acknowledge Clonmel Healthcare for their support and sponsorship of Tipperary’s Under 16 team. Finally, thanks to the supporters who have followed the team throughout the year.

Tipperary Scorers: Emer McCarthy (0-3f), Rachel Moore (1-0), Niamh Hayes (0-1), Ellie Peters (0-1)

Tipperary Team: Megan Tynan (Galtee Rovers); Sarah English (Ardfinnan), Ellen Gantley (Cappawhite), Niamh Roche (Galtee Rovers); Veerle Van Der Waal (Clonmel Commercials), Megan Heffernan (Galtee Rovers), Cathy Hogan (Moyne Templetuohy); Queva O’Meara (Captain - Moycarkey Borris), Niamh Hayes (Fethard); Kate Flannery (Galtee Rovers), Emer McCarthy (Galtee Rovers), Eabha Hogan (St. Patrick’s); Rachel Moore (Moyne Templetuohy), Sara Finnane (Galtee Rovers), Alanna English (Brian Borus).

Subs: Ellie Peters (Galtee Rovers) for Alanna English (half time), Eva O’Dwyer (Cappawhite) for Sara Finnane (half time), Aoife Shelly (Moyne Templetuohy) for Niamh Roche (half time), Rebecca Burke (Brian Borus) for Kate Flannery (42 mins) and Niamh Cuneen (Silvermines) for Rachel Moore.

Panel: Dearbhla Morrissey (St. Patrick's), Maeve McGuigan (Sliabhnamban), Ellen Cuneen (Silvermines), Jessica Strappe (St. Patrick's), Meabh Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Erín O’Brien (St. Patrick's), Roisin Bambrick (Thurles Sarsfields), Kelly Ryan (Fethard), Neassa Towey (Templemore) and Saoirse Keating (Clonmel Commercials).