Early goal burst buffers Tipperary against late Meath comeback.

By Paudie Everard, Moyle Rovers

Tipperary advanced to the All Ireland Intermediate Final following a win over Meath in a high quality semi-final played in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening. Tipperary survived a late come back from a spirited Meath team who showed plenty of ability throughout the game. The foundation for victory was laid early in the first half when Tipperary scored two goals in the space of a minute to open up a seven point gap against a fancied Meath side. Tipperary continued to build on this momentum and led at the break by 2-11 to 1-7. Gillian O’Brien and Orla O’Dwyer were the Tipperary goal scorers. Tipperary looked to be well in control of the game well into the second half but a late rally by Meath cut the deficit to three points and Tipperary were relieved to hear the final whistle to signal their win and a place in Croke Park on September 24th for the All-Ireland final against either Tyrone or Sligo.

Meath had the opening point of the game before Tipperary responded through a Gillian O’Brien point. The Tipperary goals came during the eighth minute and gave Tipperary a comfortable cushion on which they thrived. They created and produced further good scores from the boot of the in-form Gillian O’Brien, Orla O’Dwyer, Aishling Moloney and an Aisling McCarthy free. A wayward kick out on twenty fifth minute handed Meath an opportunity and they scored a goal to keep their hopes alive. Crucially, Tipperary responded with points from Aishling Moloney (2) and Mairead Morrissey to establish a ten point lead at the break.

Meath had the opening point of the second half. Tipperary then had points from an Aisling McCarthy free, another Gillian O’Brien point and a Roisin Howard point. Six minutes into the half Aishling Moloney, now operating at full forward, had a goal, and a point to push out the lead to thirteen points. Two points from Orla O’Dwyer and a point from Caoimhe Condon maintained the substantial lead for Tipperary as Meath responded with points of their own. Heading into the last quarter Tipperary had a comfortable lead of twelve points.  Meath reeled off four unanswered points and on fifty five minutes Meath won a Tipperary kick out and the resultant pressure forced a penalty which was duly converted to narrow the lead to five points. Meath were now playing with renewed vigour and piled on the pressure. The momentum was now with Meath and a crucial save off the line by Emma Buckley saved the day. Gillian O’Brien had Tipperary’s last score to round off a very good personal display. Tipperary to their credit ran down the clock in a controlled and composed manner and saw off the late Meath surge which bought them to within three points of Tipperary.

Meath were a good side and showed why they are worthy Leinster champions. They have recent form in late come backs having overturned Wexford and Clare in their last two games from deficit positions late in these games. Additionally they have senior experience from last year and showed the experience of those tough encounters. All Tipperary players can be very proud of their contributions on the night. 3-19 is a fantastic score and they were all quality hard earned scores. The entire team and substitutes worked extremely hard all through this game and positions meant very little when leadership was needed to stem the Meath comeback. Tipperary had top class performances from a number of players including TG4 player of the game Gillian O’Brien who scored 1-7 from play and Orla O’Dwyer who made a huge contribution at centre field in the second half while contributing 1-3 from play. Tipperary’s unbeaten run in 2017 continues and they will face the ultimate test in the All Ireland Final. It’s great to have a Tipperary team in an All Ireland in Croke Park in 2017 and all in Tipperary wish the management and panel of players the very best of luck on the big day. 

Team - Lauren Fitzpatrick; Siobhan Condon, Maria Curley, Emma Buckley; Brid Condon, Samantha Lambert (C), Laura Dillon;  Aisling McCarthy (0-2, 2f), Jennifer Grant; Niamh Lonergan, Mairead Morrissey (0-1), Aishling Moloney (1-4); Orla O’Dwyer (1-3), Gillian O’Brien (1-7), Roisin Howard (0-1).

Subs used - Caoimhe Condon (0-1) for Jennifer Grant (40^th), Anna Rose Kennedy for Aishling Moloney (45^th), Laura Morrissey for Laura Dillon (46^th), Sarah Everard for Aisling McCarthy (52^nd), Catherina Walsh for Roisin Howard (53^rd). 

Panel - Patricia Hickey, Rachel O’Donnell, Anna Carey, Elaine Kelly, Alison Lonergan, Aine Fitzgerald, Evrena Everard, Nicola Loughnane.

Manager: Shane Ronayne.

Mentors: Alan O’Connor, Elaine Harte, Tony Smith.

Physio Ronan Crosse.

TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football championship semi-final

Tipperary 3-19
Meath 2-19

By Jackie Cahill at Semple Stadium, Thurles

MANAGER Shane Ronayne was at a loss to explain Tipperary’s late scare against Meath in Saturday’s TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football championship semi-final.

The Premier County looked to be cruising to a final berth midway through the second half – leading by 13 points and flowing freely.

But Tipp had to sweat it out before booking a September 14 date with Tyrone or Sligo, as Meath reduced the full-time deficit to just three points.

Ronayne had his bench emptied with nine minutes left but taking off influential Jennifer Grant, who had excelled in a sweeping defensive role, and brilliant forward Aishling Moloney were necessary calls to an extent.

Grant was ill in the days before the game while Moloney carried an injury into battle – and was a late call-up after being listed as number 28 on the match programme.

Tipp were still ten points ahead before Meath collected an unanswered 1-4 in the closing minutes.

Ronayne reflected: “It was looking very comfortable with a quarter of an hour to go.

“I don’t really know what happened. If we were involved in a classic and lost, we’d be going home feeling very sorry for ourselves.

“But we’re there, we’ve plenty to work on and we’ll enjoy tonight and start thinking about it again on Monday morning.

“People might look at the subs but our subs are every bit as good as the girls on the field. They deserve to be playing.

“I wouldn’t be blaming the substitutions for it – that’s not backing myself up but I think the players on the field need to have a look at what they were doing in the last 15 minutes.”

Gillian O’Brien shot the lights out with a haul of 1-7 from play – including 1-5 in the first half – while Moloney sparkled with 1-4 and Orla O’Dwyer contributed 1-3.

Tipp landed 3-17 of their big winning tally from play but Meath, who had a huge display from Aoibhin Cleary, kept going right to the end even when faced with a huge deficit.  

Tipp led by 2-11 to 1-7 at half-time and were full value for that seven-point interval lead.

O’Dwyer and O’Brien netted in a 36-second spell but Marion Farrelly goaled for Meath approaching half-time to give them hope.

The game looked done and dusted when Moloney crashed home a brilliant 35th-minute goal at the Killinan End but Meath weren’t finished and they made life uncomfortable before full-time, as Stacey Grimes slotted home a penalty.

Teams and scorers – 2 formats:

Scorers for Tipperary – G O’Brien 1-7, A Moloney 1-4, O O’Dwyer 1-3, A McCarthy 0-2f, M Morrissey, C Condon & R Howard 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Meath – S Grimes 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), M Farrelly 1-2, A Cleary 0-5, N O’Sullivan 0-3, E Troy & V Wall 0-2 each, O Byrne 0-1.

Tipperary – L Fitzpatrick; S Condon, M Curley, B Condon; E Buckley, S Lambert, L Dillon; A McCarthy, A Moloney; M Morrissey, R Howard, J Grant; N Lonergan, G O’Brien, O O’Dwyer.

Subs – C Condon for Grant (40), A.R. Kennedy for Moloney (45), L Morrissey for Dillon (46), S Everard for McCarthy (51), C Walsh for Howard (51).

Meath – O McLaughlin; A Guy, E White, E Troy; A Cleary, V Wall, N Gallogly; M O’Shaughnessy, K Byrne; M Thynne, O Byrne, K Newe; S Grimes, N O’Sullivan, M Farrelly.

Subs – P Dunne for White (24), N Lister for Newe (41), B Keogh for Byrne (51).

Ref – G McMahon (Mayo).

***

Tipperary – L Fitzpatrick; S Condon, M Curley, B Condon; E Buckley, S Lambert, L Dillon; A McCarthy (0-2f), A Moloney (1-4); M Morrissey (0-1), R Howard (0-1), J Grant; N Lonergan, G O’Brien (1-7), O O’Dwyer (1-3).

Subs – C Condon (0-1) for Grant (40), A.R. Kennedy for Moloney (45), L Morrissey for Dillon (46), S Everard for McCarthy (51), C Walsh for Howard (51).

Meath – O McLaughlin; A Guy, E White, E Troy (0-2); A Cleary (0-5), V Wall (0-2), N Gallogly; M O’Shaughnessy, K Byrne; M Thynne, O Byrne (0-1), K Newe; S Grimes (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), N O’Sullivan (0-3), M Farrelly (1-2).

Subs – P Dunne for White (24), N Lister for Newe (41), B Keogh for Byrne (51).

Ref – G McMahon (Mayo).

TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football championship semi-final

Tipperary 3-19
Meath 2-19

By Jackie Cahill at Semple Stadium, Thurles

SHANE Ronayne’s Tipperary survived a huge scare before sealing a spot in the TG4 All-Ireland ladies intermediate football final on September 24.

The Premier County led by 13 points midway through the second half of Saturday’s semi-final against Meath at Semple Stadium - but were left clinging on for a three-point win.

Ronayne had his bench emptied with nine minutes left but Tipp were still well in control and leading by ten points down the home straight. 

Jennifer Grant had been excellent in a sweeping role but the Brian Borus player was ill in the days leading up to the game and came off with 20 minutes left.

Ronayne also whipped off Aishling Moloney, who scored 1-4 but was an injury concern before the game and listed as number 28 on the match programme.

And when Meath scored 1-4 without reply in the closing minutes, including a Stacey Grimes penalty, Tipp were sweating it out before sealing a first intermediate final appearance since 2013.

Beaten semi-finalists against Clare last year, Munster champions Tipp have now gone a step further – and they’ll face Sligo or Tyrone at Croker next month.

While big holes appeared in the Tipp defence late on, they were brilliant in attack for spells of a high-scoring encounter. 

Gillian O’Brien shot the lights out with a haul of 1-7 from play – including 1-5 in the first half – while Moloney sparkled and Orla O’Dwyer contributed 1-3.

Tipp landed 3-17 of their big winning tally from play but Meath, who had a huge display from Aoibhin Cleary, kept going right to the end even when faced with a huge deficit.  

Tipp led by 2-11 to 1-7 at half-time and were full value for that seven-point interval lead.

The sides were level three times within the opening six minutes but a run of 2-2 without reply gave Tipp the upper hand.

The goals were cracking efforts from Tipp, O’Dwyer managing to get a left-footed effort away under severe pressure for the first, before Moloney, Róisín Howard and Mairead Morrissey created the opening for O’Brien’s effort.

Those goals were scored in a 36-second spell in the ninth minute and handed Tipp a 2-4 to 0-3 lead.

The gap was out to eight on a couple of occasions approaching the break but Meath, who had three first half points from Cleary, gave themselves a chance when Marion Farrelly pounced on a poor restart for a 25^th-minute goal and that reduced the margin to five – 1-6 to 2-8.

But Tipp regrouped quickly and gave themselves a decent platform to work from ahead of the second half.

And this game looked done and dusted when Moloney crashed home a brilliant 35^th-minute goal at the Killinan End.

Tipp kicked on to twice lead by 13 points twice but Meath weren’t finished and the Royals had the nerves of home fans jangling before referee Garryowen McMahon’s final whistle.

Scorers for Tipperary – G O’Brien 1-7, A Moloney 1-4, O O’Dwyer 1-3, A McCarthy 0-2f, M Morrissey, C Condon & R Howard 0-1 each. 

Scorers for Meath – S Grimes 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), M Farrelly 1-2, A Cleary 0-5, N O’Sullivan 0-3, E Troy & V Wall 0-2 each, O Byrne 0-1.

Tipperary – L Fitzpatrick; S Condon, M Curley, B Condon; E Buckley, S Lambert, L Dillon; A McCarthy, A Moloney; M Morrissey, R Howard, J Grant; N Lonergan, G O’Brien, O O’Dwyer.

Subs – C Condon for Grant (40), A.R. Kennedy for Moloney (45), L Morrissey for Dillon (46), S Everard for McCarthy (51), C Walsh for Howard (51).

Meath – O McLaughlin; A Guy, E White, E Troy; A Cleary, V Wall, N Gallogly; M O’Shaughnessy, K Byrne; M Thynne, O Byrne, K Newe; S Grimes, N O’Sullivan, M Farrelly.

Subs – P Dunne for White (24), N Lister for Newe (41), B Keogh for Byrne (51).

Ref – G McMahon (Mayo).