Lidl NFL Round 4 Clare V Tipperary 23.3.25

Clare V Tipperary

Date: 23.3.25

Venue: Clarecastle

Throw in: 2pm

Final Score: Tipperary 2-6 Clare 0-7

Match Report: Clare V Tipperary - Lidl LGFA NFL Division 2 Round 4

Tipperary took on Clare in the Round 4 of the Ladies Football National Football league which was a must win game for the Tipp side who have yet to register a win in the 2025 campaign.

On a day where the weather played havoc with a number of fixtures around the country the game went ahead on the Clarecastle Astro pitch, in conditions that proved to be a big baring on the game.  With a gale force wind blowing down the pitch the game would be very difficult for the team playing against the wind.

Clare won the toss and naturally played with the wind.

Tipperary started the game with an early missed opportunity, as Neassa Towey sent a wide in the 3rd minute. Clare soon found their rhythm, and after an early substitution that saw Edel McNamara replace Ailish Considine, they opened the scoring at the 11th minute mark with a well-taken point from play.

Fidelma Marrinan added to Clare’s tally with a composed free in the 12th minute, before Chloe Moloney slotted over another point from play in the 14th minute. Moloney had another chance at the 16-minute mark but sent her effort wide.

Tipperary tried to respond with tactical changes, introducing Clara English for Ava Fennessy and Kirsty Crotty Ryan for Hazel Brennan within a minute of each other. However, Clare continued their dominance, with Chloe Moloney adding another point from play in the 18th minute.

While Fidelma Marrinan missed a chance at the 20-minute mark, she quickly made amends with a fine score from play in the 21st minute. She then closed out the half in style, converting a free in the 26th minute to extend Clare’s lead to six points.

At halftime, Clare led 0-6 to 0-0, leaving Tipperary with a lot of work to do in the second half if they were to mount a comeback.

Tipperary produced a dominant second-half display to overturn a six-point deficit at halftime and secure a 2-6 to 0-7 victory over Clare in Round 4 of the Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 2.

Clare had the first opportunity to extend their lead, but Fidelma Marrinan sent an early wide in the 32nd minute. Kirsty Crotty Ryan then opened Tipperary’s account with a much-needed point from play in the 34th minute, signaling the start of their comeback.

Clare struggled to convert their chances, with Megan Downes sending another wide in the 39th minute. Tipperary made them pay almost immediately as Kirsty Crotty Ryan struck for a crucial goal in the 41st minute, bringing them within two points. The Premier County made a substitution soon after, introducing Kate Cashman for Michelle Cronin.

A significant moment in the game came in the 44th minute when Caithlyn Kennedy made her long-awaited return to the field after an 18-month injury layoff, replacing Aoibhe O’Shea. The return of Kennedy provided a boost to the Tipperary side as they continued their push for victory.

Although Emma Morrissey missed a free for Tipp in the 45th minute, Clare momentarily halted their momentum when Edel McNamara slotted over a point from play in the 48th minute. However, Tipperary responded swiftly, with Neassa Towey converting a free in the 54th minute, followed by an Ava Ryan point from play just a minute later to bring them level.

The defining moment came in the 55th minute when Kirsty Crotty Ryan netted her second goal, putting Tipperary firmly in the driving seat. Clare tried to respond, making several substitutions, but their discipline faltered when Chloe Moloney received a yellow card in the 63rd minute.

Tipp continued to push forward, with Emma Morrissey, Anna Rose Kennedy, and Neassa Towey adding late points to seal the win. Despite Clare’s early dominance, Tipperary’s superior finishing and two-goal haul proved decisive as they ran out 2-6 to 0-7 winners.

Tipperary PRO : Martin Grey

Photos : Cahir Media