Munster Minor Championship

Round 3

Kerry v Tipperary

Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, Co. Kerry

24/02/2024 2pm

Referee: Martin Murphy (Limerick)

Tipperary made the long journey to take on the might of the Kingdom on the last Saturday in February and it is safe to say they had the brighter start to this contest with an opening minute point from a placed ball with Ciara O’Hora eyeing up her target from the start. With barely another minute on the clock and despite a ferocious Kerry defence Eabha Dolan found the uprights to register Tipps second point.

In the 3^rd minute Kerrys Katie Doe opened their account with a confidently taken free, awarded following a spurt of dominant play that was defended in style by the Premier counties back lines. From the re-start Tipperary kicked on and scored the next 2 points in as many minutes from Ellie Franklin and Eabha Dolan to leave the score board reading 4 points to 1 after 5 minutes of exhilarating, free flowing football.

Kerry hit a purple patch for the next 15 minutes clocking up 2-3 despite a formidable Tipperary defensive set up.

It took until the 20^th minute for Tipperary to breach the Kerry defence and settle back in to the game with a Ciara O’Hora point from play, however , Kerry matched that score without delay with another Katie Doe point. At this stage Tipp needed to call from their bench for the first time such was the work rate required from the players to stem the continuous Kerry attack. There was little time for Molly Crowe to settle before Kerry delivered the hammer blow with another goal, not withstanding the superb efforts being delivered throughout the Tipp back lines.

Tipperary finished the half with the last say, registering a point from Molly Gilmartin in the 27^th minute to go into the dressing room on the back foot. A big second half was going to be required to effect change on the score board.

HALF TIME SCORE                 KERRY 3 – 5                    TIPPERARY 0 – 6

Tipp exited the dressing room with a number of changes for the second half of the contest with Sophie Coughlan making an appearance for Niamh O’Farrell just before the half time whistle and both Emily Spillane and Emer Dwan introduced at the resumption for Molly Gilmartin and Eabha Dolan.

The second half was a more balance affair entirely. Tipp, with their backs to the wall came out with fierce determination only to be matched by a buoyant Kerry, happy to be ahead but none the less contesting every ball and demanding a ferocious work rate from the Tipperary 15 in all areas of the pitch. It was an utterly entertaining 2^nd half with both sides equal on scores at 1-6 a piece and the scoreboard changing every 2 minutes in the 30 minute half.

Kerry opened the second half scoring with 2 points from play in the 3^rd and 5^th minute from Mary Kate Smith and Katie Doe. Ciara O’ Hora added another to her tally on the 6^th minute before the Kerry forwards found space to pop 2 further points in the 9^th and 10^th minutes.

Tipperary got the upper hand for the following 10 minutes and reduced the deficit by 1-2 thanks to a pointed free, a point from play and a penalty.

On the 20 minute mark Amy Reddan was introduced for Aedin McCormack and Emer Dwan pointed from play. The ever-present Kerry full forward was quick off the mark despite an amazing defensive effort from Cailtin Shelly, Sarah Luttrell and Sarah Smith, she found the back of the net on 24 minutes.

The Premier side, who adopted a dogged never give up attitude for this entire game were rewarded with 2 further points in the 26^th and 33^rd minute but were matched by Kerry in the 28^th and 31^st minute.

Although Kerry ran out winners on the day there can be no doubt that this spirited Tipperary side gave them plenty to think about and denied them any ease. These Tipperary ladies should be commended for their tremendous efforts and can take some much-needed rest before their next outing which has them on the road again with an away game to Clare on Saturday 16^th March

FULL TIME                                    KERRY 4 - 11               TIPPERARY 1 - 12

TIPPERARY :

Sarah Smith, Niamh O’Farrell, Sarah Luttrell, Caitlin Shelly, Emaleigh Cuddihy, Eva Cremins, Leanna Coppinger, Sinead O’Carroll, Ellie Franklin (0-1),Hannah Butler, Lucy O’Brien, Molly Gilmartin (0-1), Eabha Dolan (0-2),Aedin McCormack, Ciara O’Hora (1-6 (3F)(1 Penalty)).

SUBS USED :

Molly Crowe for Hannah Butler (21 mins), Emily Spillane (0-1) for Molly Gilmartin (H/T), Emer Dwan (0-1) for Eabha Dolan (H/T), Amy Reddan for Aedin McCormack (49 mins)