Tipperary and Kerry faced off in the first round of the Munster LGFA Minor Championship, delivering an exciting and closely contested first half. The game started at a lively pace, with both teams eager to make an early impact.

Tipperary opened the scoring just under a minute into the match with a well-taken point from play by Grace Hogan. Kerry responded with multiple attacking efforts, but they struggled to convert, with wides from Muireann Teahan and Sadhbh O’Sullivan hampering their early momentum.

As the half progressed, Tipperary found their rhythm. Julie Grey struck a crucial goal in the 23rd minute, followed by another goal minutes later from Aoife Shelly, putting Tipp in a strong position. Kerry attempted to fight back, with points from Mary Kate Smith, Anna O’Sullivan, and Muireann Teahan keeping them in the contest. However, their inefficiency in front of goal was evident as they registered several wides throughout the half.

Tipperary continued to apply pressure, with additional points from Aoife Shelly and Grace Hogan. Despite Kerry’s best efforts, including another point from Muireann Teahan, their high number of wides proved costly.

The second half saw both teams battle fiercely, with Kerry determined to overturn Tipperary’s halftime lead. The early exchanges were closely contested, but Tipperary delivered a crucial moment in the 29th minute, when Sarah English struck a decisive goal from play, extending their advantage.

Kerry, however, kept pushing forward, with Lori O’Conor (28th minute) and Mary Kate Smith (26th minute) adding valuable points from play. Their attacking efforts were somewhat hampered by missed opportunities, with Muireann Teahan and others registering wides at key moments.

Muireann Teahan did manage to convert a free in the 21st minute, and followed it up with another well-taken point from play in the 23rd minute, keeping Kerry within touching distance. However, despite further substitutions aimed at injecting fresh energy into their squad, they couldn’t quite bridge the gap.

Tipperary, meanwhile, held firm in defense, absorbing Kerry’s pressure while also creating enough scoring chances to see out the game. 

Kerry’s persistence led to a late push, but a crucial wide from a free by Muireann Teahan in the 27th minute proved costly, as they ran out of time to complete the comeback.

Final Score: Tipperary 3-6 (15) Kerry 1-10 (13)

Tipperary’s ability to convert goal-scoring opportunities proved to be the difference, while Kerry’s tally of wides ultimately left them just short in a well-fought battle.

At halftime, Tipperary led with a score of 2-3 (9) to Kerry’s 0-5 (5), giving them a four-point advantage heading into the second half. Kerry will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to close the gap, while Tipperary will look to maintain their momentum and defensive discipline.