Munster LGFA Championship Round 2

Tipperary 3-05 -v- Kerry 3-05

Report by: Paul Murphy Kerry PRO

This round two fixture between Tipperary & Kerry finished all square on an afternoon when strong wind and rain persisted throughout the game. This was Kerry’s first game in the competition having received a bye in round one. Tipperary had already played in round one going down to Cork. A game originally fixed for Bansha was moved to Fethard Town Park 3G pitch. Tipperary opted to play with the wind in the first half as Kerry’s cause was not helped prior to throw in when centre back Muireann Teahan was forced to withdraw due to injury. The premier county got off to a flying start with corner forward Lisa Flannery scoring a goal inside the first minute. This was quickly followed with points by full forward Abbie Horgan & Lily Flannery to open up a five-point lead with six minutes on the clock.

Kerry soon settled and got to grips with playing against the wind. Two goals from Naoise O’Donoghue and Avril Rooney midway through the half saw Kerry open a one-point lead before Tipperary midfielder Abi Ryan pointed to see the sides go in at the first half water break all square. By now the rain was becoming more persistent as both sides exchanged points from Lily Flannery and Priya O’Donovan. With the wind favouring Tipperary, they made that count on the scoreboard. A point from centre forward Grace Hogan and a goal from the impressive Lily Flannery saw Tipperary open up a four-point lead. To their credit Kerry played some excellent football despite the conditions getting worse. A Phoebe O’Shea point saw the sides go in at halftime Tipperary 2-05 Kerry 2-02.

The away side had the advantage of the wind in the second half and started the stronger with a point from Brid Curtin to reduce the deficit to two. The deficit could have been reduced further only for Tipperary keeper Caoileann Grogan pulling off an excellent save after her kickout was intercepted. The kingdom shortly raised their third green flag of the afternoon to go in at the second water break a point in front on a score line of Tipperary 2-05 Kerry 3-03. Kerry were now the dominant team heading into the final quarter and began to take their chances with points from Brid Curtin & Phoebe O’Shea to open up a three-point lead. Tipperary keeper Caoileann Grogan pulled off another fine save to help keeper her side in the game and prevent Kerry opening up a commanding lead. Tipperary had not scored in the second half with Kerry defending extremely well at times, but their only score of the second half would turn out to be a crucial score. A goal with four minutes remaining from substitute Rachel Coffey saw the sides draw level and despite both sides trying desperately to seek a winner it finished all square on an extremely windy and wet Fethard Park. Credit to both sides for playing great football despite the terrible weather conditions throughout the game. We would like to wish Kerry’s Muireann Teahan a speedy recovery after she was forced to withdraw with injury prior to throw in.

Tipperary: C Grogan, S O’Grady, T Bourke, L McGrath, N Dwan, J Grey, S Lonergan, C Cahill, A Ryan (0-1), K Nevin, G Hogan (0-1), Z Tierney, L Flannery (2-02), A Horgan (0-1), A Smith

Subs: A O’Connor for A Smith, S Ferris for N Dwan, H Kiely for Z Tierney, R Coffey (1-0) for L Flannery

Kerry: H O’Flaherty, R Daly, C Clancy, J Lee O’Connor, S Randles, M Teahan, E O’Sullivan, K Riordan, A O’Sullivan, P O’Donovan (0-1), P O’Shea (0-2), B Curtin (0-2), L Falvey, N O’Donoghue (2-0), A Rooney (1-)

Subs: S Ní Shlattara for M Teahan, J Lynch for A Rooney, D O’Neill for A O’Sullivan