Tipperary 3-13 Cavan 0-10

A purple patch between the 42nd and 53rd minutes, when they scored three goals, turned the tide in Tipperary’s favour against Cavan when they recorded back-to-back wins in round two of the Lidl National Ladies Football League Division 2 on the all-weather pitch at Fethard Town Park.

The teams were evenly matched for the first 40 minutes, when a goal from Cavan would have closed the gap on Tipp. Cavan will also rue missed opportunities; three in the first half when playing with the wind, and five in the second half, including four frees.

Tipp, meanwhile, had just three wides throughout the game.

Tipperary were hoping that Aishling Moloney would repeat her first round performance against Westmeath, when she scored seven points, and she came up trumps again, despite having to leave the field for four minutes between the 14th and 18th minutes to have her knees strapped.

She was central to most of her team’s scores, scoring 1-7 over the hour. She was ably assisted by Anna Rose Kennedy, Emma Morrissey, Niamh Martin, Marie Creedon, Ava Fennessy, Lucy Spillane, Cliona O’Dwyer and goalie Lauren Fitzpatrick.

Lauren McVeety was the standout player for a gallant Cavan, scoring 0-7. She received good support from goalkeeper Elaine Walsh, Ciara Brady, Ciara Finnegan, Niamh Keenaghan and Aisling Gilsenan.

Tipperary raced into a two-point lead after two minutes, the first coming from Ava Fennessy from play, the second from Aishling Moloney from a 13 metre free. In the third minute Cavan, on their first attack, had a point from Lauren McVeety following an excellent pass from Catherine Ahearne.

In the seventh minute Aishling Moloney pointed a 20 metre free and within a minute Lauren McVeety converted a 20 metre free to leave the score Tipperary 0-3 Cavan 0-2.

In the 14th minute Sarah Ryan added a point for Tipperary. Cavan replied from the kickout when Niamh Keenaghan found Aisling Gilsenan, who kicked a great point. At the end of the first quarter Emma Morrissey kicked a free over the bar, while Aishling Moloney was being treated on the line.

With Tipperary in front by two points, Emma Morrissey kicked for goal after a great run in the 16th minute, with Elaine Walsh making a great save. We had to wait until the 23rd minute for the next score, a deserved point from play by Tipp’s Marie Creedon, who was involved in all counter attacks, with the best point of the day following from Aishling Moloney from 45 metres against the wind in the 24th minute.

From Cavan attacks in the 26th and 28th minutes, Lauren McVeety scored from play and Aisling Gilsenan from a 45 metres free, leaving Tipp ahead by two points. Tipp added two points from frees from Aishling Moloney in first half injury time, leaving the score at the short whistle Tipperary 0-9 Cavan 0-5.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half both teams scored two points; for Cavan Aisling Walls was on target from play and they had a score from a free by Lauren McVeety from 20 metres, while Tipp added scores from play through Aishling Moloney and Ava Fennessy.

Then in the 41st minute Tipperary’s physical presence came to the fore, a move finishing with a magnificent one-two twice between Niamh Martin and Aishling Moloney, and resulting in Niamh being taken down inside the square. A penalty was awarded and it was dispatched to the net by Aishling Moloney for the game’s opening goal.

The floodgates were now open and a movement between Aishling Moloney and Ava Fennessy led to Niamh Martin giving Elaine Walsh no chance for a great goal.

Cavan had a converted Lauren McVeety free in the 50th minute. The Ulster team also had a chance of a goal but Aisling Sheridan was denied by a Lauren Fitzpatrick point blank save.

Cavan’s mini revival was dented immediately on the next Tipperary attack when a high ball into the square was knocked down to the inrushing Emma Morrissey, who kicked into the empty net for Tipperary’s third goal to seal the victory and make it maximum points from two games.

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry), Marie Curley (captain, Templemore), Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers), Neassa Towey (Templemore), Lucy Spillane (Fethard), Cliona O’Dwyer (Brian Borus), Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow), Niamh Martin 1-0 (Sliabh na mBan), Emma Morrissey 1-1 (Aherlow), Marie Creedon 0-1 (Thurles Sarsfields), Sarah Ryan 0-1 (Arravale Rovers), Ava Fennessy 0-2 (Clonmel Commercials), Aishling Moloney 1-7 (1-5 frees, Cahir), Clara English (Ardfinnan).

Subs used: Elaine Kelly (37 minutes, Cappawhite), Angela McGuigan (43 minutes, Eadestown), Sarah English (50 minutes, Ardfinnan), Roisin Daly (56 minutes, Moyne/Templetuohy), Maureen Murphy (56 minutes, Brian Borus), Nicole Shelly (58 minutes, Mullinahone), Niamh Mackey (58 minutes, Clonmel Commercials).

Cavan: Elaine Walsh, Shanna Lynch, Ciara Brady, Christina Charters, Anna Deneher, Neasa Byrd (captain), Ciara Finnegan, Ally Cahill, Aishling Sheridan, Aishling Walls 0-1, Lauren McVeety 0-7 (4 frees), Keri McCormack, Catherine Ahearne, Niamh Keenaghan, Aisling Gilsenan 0-2 (1 free).

Subs used: Deirbhle Lynch (30 minutes), Geraldine Smith (37 minutes), Aisling Doughty (52 minutes).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).