Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 Round 6. 16.3.2024

Tipperary 2-10 Monaghan 0-7

Tipperary’s ladies footballers secured their National League Division 2 status for next season courtesy of this nine-points victory over Monaghan at a wet and windy Fethard Town Park on Saturday.

Three single-point defeats had left Tipp looking anxiously over their shoulders but this deserved win means that their relegation fears have been banished with one game remaining, which is at home to Donegal next weekend.  

While the scoreline may have slightly flattered them, Tipp were full value for the victory.

They started slowly against the elements in the opening half, falling behind to three points from Monaghan danger woman Leanne Maguire (two from play) inside the opening 17 minutes.

Tipp had seen plenty of the ball in that opening phase of the game but all too often their final pass let them down. However, they gradually settled and began to establish a rhythm, with Marie Creedon fighting her way through the Monaghan rearguard to open their account with a point in the 18th minute.

A fine move three minutes later ended with Aishling Moloney supplying the pass for Clara English’s point, and then Moloney turned scorer when she kicked the equaliser from a free in the 22nd minute.

That positive response to Monaghan’s early scoring spurt was enhanced with a gift of a goal three minutes before half-time. When a short kickout from Monaghan goalie Katie Sherlock to full back Naomi Cogan went astray, Angela McGuigan showed great alertness to seize upon the opportunity and practically walked the ball into the net. 

Monaghan replied with a Chloe McBride point but McGuigan’s goal had given Tipp a vital 1-3 to 0-4 advantage at the interval and a lead that they never surrendered.

Tipp made a bright start to the second half with points from Aishling Moloney and Angela McGuigan, which extended their lead to four. Lively half-time substitute Neassa Towey made it 1-6 to 0-4 in the 39th minute before Leanne Maguire and Sarah Tierney replied for Monaghan.

Tipp pulled five points clear again with scores from Aishling Mooney’s free and Neassa Towey within a minute of each other. 

However, Monaghan were still well in the game, as they pushed forward at every opportunity. Leanne Maguire split the posts from a free and then Chloe McBride had a half-chance of a goal, only to be crowded out by the hardworking Tipp defence.

With the home team ahead by four points, four minutes of normal time remained when Tipp put the outcome beyond doubt. When the ball was worked up along the left wing, captain Maria Curley put the finishing touch to a swift attack with their second goal. Initially, there was some doubt as to whether the score would stand, but the green flag was raised after referee Patrick Smith had consulted with the umpires.

Tipp put the seal on the win with late points from Aishling Moloney and Niamh Martin.

While they were pushed hard for most of the game, Tipp were relieved to have got the job done and preserved their Division 2 status before the final round of matches.

Despite being closed marked by Kerry Nolan until the Monaghan defender was withdrawn five minutes into the second half, Aishling Moloney was Tipperary’s most influential player. She had a strong supporting cast in fellow forwards Angela McGuigan, Emma Morrissey and Marie Creedon, while midfielders Anna-Rose Kennedy and Laura Morrissey covered acres of ground. In defence Niamh Martin, Emma Cronin and Maria Curley gave everything for the cause.

Monaghan still have a battle on their hands to stay in Division 2. With Leanne Maguire, Chloe McBride, Jennifer Duffy and Éabhla Sherry to the fore, they competed well from start to finish but the Tipperary goals proved killer blows. 

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick, Nora Martin, Lucy Spillane, Emma Cronin, Cliona O’Dwyer, Maria Curley (captain 1-0), Niamh Martin (0-1), Laura Morrissey, Anna-Rose Kennedy, Clara English (0-1), Marie Creedon (0-1), Katelyn Downey, Emma Morrissey, Angela McGuigan (1-1), Aishling Moloney (0-4, 2 frees).

Substitutes: Neassa Towey (0-2) for Clara English (half-time), Sarah English for Emma Morrissey (48 minutes), Emer McCarthy for Angela McGuigan (55 minutes), Kate Delaney for Katelyn Downey (59 minutes).

Monaghan: Katie Sherlock, Emma Clerkin, Naomi Cogan, Kerry Nolan, Amy Garland, Celine Nally, Maeve Monaghan (captain), Jennifer Duffy, Áine Loughman, Chloe McBride (0-1), Éabhla Sherry, Casey Treanor, Lauren Garland, Leanne Maguire (0-5, 2 frees), Sarah Tierney (0-1).

Substitutes: Ella Carolan for Kerry Nolan (35 minutes), Katie McCaffrey for Emma Clerkin (48 minutes), Eva Woods for Celine Nally (53 minutes), Megan Boylan for Chloe McBride (59 minutes), Mia O’Reilly for Lauren Garland (59 minutes), Holly McQuaid for Casey Treanor (60 minutes).

Referee: Patrick Smith (Waterford).  

Photo: Emma Clerkin, (Monaghan), Marie Creedon (Tipperary) Jennifer Duffy (Monaghan)