Tipperary Ladies Football Semi-Finals down for decision with a Super Sunday of action promised

Tomas Matthews

(CK Streamking)

This Sunday 18th September sees the semi-finals of the Tipperary Ladies Football Adult Championships take place with 12 games taking place in 7 different locations in what can only be described as a Super Sunday for Football in The Premier County.

Mullinahone have already secured their spot in the Intermediate Final, while Templemore will be involved on County Weekend having topped their group in the Junior C’ competition to advance to the final.

With so many great games to look forward to we take a look at the main talking points and see where the games might be won and lost

Senior

Fethard vs Moyle Rovers

Venue: Bansha

Throw-in: 11am

Fethard will come into the semi-final high on confidence having topped Group 1 and remained unbeaten despite Brian Borus throwing everything at them in the final group game they managed to get out of Clogheen with an impressive draw.

Moyle Rovers meanwhile having lost to Aherlow in the opening round having dominated for long periods, managed to regroup and get over Cahir by the minimum, before seeing off Templemore in a winner take all final group game.

Carrie Davey is marshalling the Fethard defence impressively since her return from injury, while Lucy Spillane and Ali Connolly have formed a great understanding in the centre of the field. Megan Coen was impressive in the early stages but has since departed for Australia but Kate Davey and Niamh Hayes are in super form and Fethard will look to these two to spearhead the attack.

It will be interesting to see if Moyle Rovers assign Emma Cronin to try to curb Davey’s influence or move Orla Burke onto her, leaving Cronin in the middle of the field where herself and Hazel Brennan have the ability to dictate proceedings.

Kirsty Crotty-Ryan has being shooting out the lights all year and Moyle Rovers will be hoping to deliver quick ball in to the full-forward line where she can do damage, while Riosin McGrath will drift from the full-forward line out around the 40 to bring others into the game with that wand of a left foot she possesses.

The pain of last year’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Aherlow is obviously driving Rovers on this year and they seem to be determined to put that loss finally to bed.

Both sides have an impressive bench and it could come down to who gets more from their subs when introduced to see them over the line.

This game is impossible to call. Fethard are playing lovely easy on the eye football at times which can be impossible to defend at time, while Moyle Rovers seem to be a team possessed this year. It certainly looks like it’s a game that will go down to the wire.

Verdict: Fethard

Aherlow vs Brian Borus

Venue: Bansha

Throw-in: 1pm

The game everyone wants to see. A repeat of last year’s final. Who can ever forget Emma Morrissey’s dramatic last minute goal to snatch the title from Borus as the blue and gold ribbons seemed destined to be attached to the cup.

Aherlow suffered the same feat in the previous year’s final so Borus will be hoping that’s an omen and they can get one over their great rivals.

Aherlow despite not being overly impressive in their opening round against Moyle Rovers ground out the victory as only they can do and managed to do just enough against Templemore and Cahir to finish the group with a 100% record.

Getting game time into Caitlin Kennedy has been vital after her long layoff and they’ll be hoping she’s fit enough to start. Kate O’Mara is in super form at the moment at wing-back while Brid Condon is marshalling the square to perfection and even when an attack gets past her they still have to contend with netminder Emer McCarthy who’s pulled off numerous point blank saves during the course of the year.

If Sara Morrissey, AnnaRose Kennedy, Claire Mullins and Emma Morrissey can click they can go a long way to helping the girls from Lisvernane to another County Final.

Brian Borus have been going about their business in an ordinary manner during the group games and will be hoping to reverse last year’s result.

Jen Grant is in super form at centre-back while Maureen Murphy is busy as usual round the middle of the field and half-forward line. Eimear Myles and Cliona O’Dwyer picked up injuries which forced them off against Fethard and it will be vital for Borus that both are fit to play.

This is a game that will be definitely not for the faint hearted with no quarter asked or given and will more than likely come down to who wants it most. Borus won’t be lacking in motivation after last year’s dramatic loss and can easily upset the apple cart here. Aherlow on the other hand are just doing enough in games to get over the line and this could prove the difference here.

Verdict: Aherlow

Senior B’

Templemore vs Galtee Rovers

Venue: Lattin

Throw-in 4pm

An interesting game opens proceedings in Lattin on Sunday afternoon with Templemore who looked serious contenders for the A title early on coming up against last year’s Intermediate champions Galtee Rovers.

Templemore defeated favourite Cahir in the opening round but defeats to Aherlow and Moyle Rovers relegated them to the B competition while a depleted Galtee got a fairly ‘welcome to senior football’ lesson in the opening round against Fetthard.

Despite that defeat Galtee regrouped and a win against Sarsfields and unluckily lost to Brian Borus could have seen them advance to the A semi-finals.

Both teams will be looking at this as an opportunity of reaching a county final. Templemore have Maria Curley back to full fitness having started against Moyle Rovers. Elaine Fitzpatrick and Aine Delaney are in super form right now and if they can provide Shauna Quirle and Paula Doran the ammunition they’ve the ability to cause damage.

Edith Carroll is still the mainstay of the Galtee team but Aoife Flynn and Grace O’Shea are ones to watch in the half-back line. Emer McCarthy, Alison Lonergan and Roisin Finnane can cause the Templemore defence plenty of headaches and will keep Tara Hoare, Ava Ormond and co busy over the course of the hour.

This game could go either way but Templemore’s experience might just tip the scales in their favour.

Verdict: Templemore

Senior B’

Clonmel Commercials vs Cahir

Both of these teams were early favourites for the main competition but results in the group stages see the two big guns coming face to face here.

Commercials have Niamh Mackey in inspirational form driving forward from centre-back to set up attacks and how Cahir handles her forward runs could have a big bearing on this game. Anna Carey and Ava Fennessy intertwine with each other superbly in the half-forward line and look dangerous everytime they get on the ball. Throw in Courtney Lonergan and Sara Ryan’s ability to score and you can see what a threat they are.

Cahir have slowly been bringing Aishling Moloney back into action after her long-term injury and if she starts it could easily determine the result of this game. Roisin Howard and Anna Downey running at the defence will cause problems and open opportunities for others and Commercials need to be wary of these runs.

Cahir are obviously disappointed not to be playing in the A’ semifinals but know they’re more than capable of winning this competition and how they approach the game could determine the result. If they’re not fully tuned in from the start Commercials could wreak havoc. The carrot of a Munster Championship campaign for the winners of this competition should see both teams well focussed and could very well result in Cahir getting over the line after a high scoring game between two quality sides.

Verdict: Cahir 

Intermediate

Boherlahan-Dualla vs Cappawhite

Venue: Golden

Throw-in: 1pm

Boherlahan will be disappointed with their performance the last day out against Mullinahone when despite conceding a first minute goal managed to come back to within a point by half-time. 2-4 without reply at the start of the second half put paid to their hopes of a direct route through to the final and now they come up against a Cappawhite team buoyed by their last round victory to knock out last year’s finalists Ardfinnan.

Boherlahan will be looking to the in form Casey Hennessy and Sarah Delaney up front to cause the damage while Aine O’Dwyer will leading from centre-back with Clodagh Horgan bombing forward at every opportunity she gets to provide support to the attack. It is still unsure whether Grace Moloney will recover from injury to take part. County minor panellist Anna Murphy has the potential to win any game when she turns it on.

Cappawhite are a proud club and despite not performing to their potential in the opening rounds they showed against Ardfinnan when the chips were down they can get the job done. Laura Mullins, Jean Kelly and Courtney Quinn are top class forwards and if they get into full flight will be hard to stop.

Boherlahan had a convincing win when the sides played a few weeks ago in the group stages but that game will have no bearing on the outcome here as mentioned previously Cappawhite have more than enough ability to turn that result around.

That said anything less than County honours for Boherlahan this year will be seen as failure. Having not performed in last year’s semi-final Boherlahan will look to put that right and make it to county final day.

Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla

Junior A’

Moycarkey-Borris vs Sliabh na mBan

Venue: Boherlahan

Throw-in: 4pm

Moycarkey come into this game on the back of a 100% record in the group games, having seriously impressed over the course of the year and will be looking to add county honours to their leagutitle picked up earlier in the year.

With the huge work going in an underage level Moycarkey are starting to reap the rewards. A number of their U-16 County winning players from the last two years have made the step up to Adult level football and have slotted in with ease while the experienced Caitriona Walsh is leading from the front. Maria Kinane is shoring up the defence while Maeve Hackett whether she plays in the half-back, midfield or half-forward line will always perform, with Bernie Bergin a constant goal scoring threat.

Sliabh na mBan will come into the game high on confidence having disposed of St. Pat’s in a winner take all final group game. When the pressure was on and they knew only a victory would suffice, all players put the shoulder to the wheel to ensure victory. Veerle Van Der Wal, Nora Martin, Kae McFadden and Avril Geoghegan were particularly impressive, while county Niamh Martin kicked 0-6 for them.

These sides served up a high scoring game when they played in the group stages with Moycarkey coming away with a 4 point victory and all the signs are we could be in for the same again. Moycarkey are the obvious favourites given their form, but if Sliabh na mBan can get their running game going and keep the high percentage of opposition turnovers that they manage to do, don't be surprised to see an upset on the cards.

Verdict: Moycarkey-Borris

Junior A’

Moyne-Templetuohy vs Arravale Rovers

Venue: Boherlahan

Throw-in: 6pm

Both teams will feel they can get the better of each other in this game. Moyne-Templetuohy’s only hiccup was the group game defeat to Moycarkey while Arravale comfortably qualified. 

‘Tuohy will look  to Ellen Moore to dominate around the half-back while Amy Reddan, Ciara Gorman, Roisin Daly and Aoife Shelly drive forward to get the scores to get them over the line.

Arravale while qualifying in third spot their form can be very up and down. Super at times but when they drop the tempo teams can cause fatal damage to them.

If Sarah Ryan can get on top at midfield this could open things up for Kate O’Connor, Nia Donovan and Ciara O’Hora to have a big say on the scoreboard while they’ll be hoping Ciara Ryan will be declared fit ahead of the game as they’ll need to be at full strength to get over the line here.

Arravale are an up and coming young team whereas Moyne-Templetuohy having lost the final two years ago and missed a golden opportunity to get back there 12 months ago and might just have too much on the day but there won’t be too much in it.

Verdict: Moyne-Templetuohy

Junior B’

Boherlahan-Dualla vs Lattin-Cullen/Emly

Venue: Golden

Throw-in: 11am

When these two met earlier in the championship Boherlahan emerged with 13 points to spare but have lost players to the intermediate grade since.

Sophie Maher and Paula Quirke are still in the half-back line and are the platform to where everything starts for them. Aoife Kennedy is in super form up front and they’ve done well to hold her without being poached by the intermediate team. How Lattin handles her will determine how this game goes.

Laoise Looby will more than likely be given the task of keeping her under wraps. Caitlyn Byrnes is playing some super football and if she gets motoring Boherlahan will be in trouble. Aine Carew is Lattin’s scorer-in-chief and her battle with Lisa O’Connor is going to be well worth watching.

Lattin will need everyone firing on all cylinders to take the spoils here but Boherlahan just seem to have enough to get over the line.

Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla

Junior B’

Loughmore-Castleiney vs Holycross-Ballycahill

Venue: Templemore School

Throw-in:11am

Loughmore looked to be shooting out the lights in the opening stages having disposed of Lattin-Cullen/Emly and Rockvale Rovers before almost coming unstuck against Holycross when trailing 4-6 to 0-1 early in the game before eventually overturning the deficit late in the day to come away with a 4 point win. Boherlahan however got the better of them in the final group game on a 2-11 to 0-9 scoreline.

Loughmore have been using their panel over the course of the campaign but it remains to be seen what their best starting 15 are. Conor Eviston and his backroom team will no doubt have been working hard to get the formula right over the last few weeks.

Niamh Connolly’s kick outs are a huge plus for them and they’ll be looking to use them as a way of starting attacks.

Mairead Eviston, Eimear McGrath and Niamh Treacy are strong ball carriers and Holycross will need to try to stem the flow of their attacks to come out on top here.

Holycross have been successful at underage over the last few years and will hope those foundations laid can lead them to county honours. 

Rachel Sweeney will lead from between the sticks while Julie Brennan, Sarah Quinlan, Grace Fitpatrick Ryan and Rachel Quinlan are match winners on their day.

The availability of the two Carr sisters who have missed the last few games through injury could have a huge bearing on this game and if they don’t make it in time this could have a huge detrimental effect on Holycross’ chances of progression.

Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney

Junior C’

Moyle Rovers vs Brian Borus

Venue: Marlfield

Throw-in: 6pm

Brian Borus had a comprehensive win over Moyle Rovers when they played earlier in the competition but have lost a number of players to the Senior ranks since then. Moyle Rovers are a young team with players with big futures ahead of them and despite that early setback have recovered well. Having said that Borus might just have that little bit too much experience for them.

Verdict: Brian Borus

Junior D’

Fethard vs Ardfinnan

Venue: Marlfield

Throw-in: 4pm

Fethard’s young team have looked impressive through the group stages and a lot of these players can be expected to feature on their senior team in the near future, while Ardfinnan have a mix of youth and experience and finished in their group. 

Ardfinnan’s experience could swing this but Fethard are building something special at the moment contesting county finals in numerous grades and might just slightly pull through here.

Verdict: Fethard

Junior D’

Slieve Felim Raparees vs Golden-Kilfeacle

Venue: Boherlahan

Throw-in: 6pm

Two relatively new clubs clash here with Slieve Felim coming out of their group with a 100% record while Golden just lost one game to Fethard.

Slieve Felim have made huge strides fairly quickly winning U-21 and U-16 titles this year with a lot of those players involved here. They've got a taste for success and that should see them through here.

Verdict: Slieve Felim Raparees