Tipperary camogie team makes winning start to life under new manager

Antrim 0-9 Tipperary 2-19

Tipperary made the long trip to Cushendun in Antrim for the opening game of the Centra Ireland Division 1A National Camogie League and returned home with all three points following a commanding team performance.

The Premier County were first to get on the scoreboard, with midfielders Karen Kennedy and Kate Ralph opening the scoring in the early stages.

Newly-appointed captain Caoimhe McCarthy burst forward from centre back to add Tipperary’s third point, soon followed by a score from Lucy Purcell, giving Tipp an early four-point lead.

Tipperary’s movement and support running was excellent and Karen Kennedy twice almost had a goal but for an excellent hook in the 10th minute and a Catriona Graham save in the 19th minute.

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Antrim quickly settled into proceedings with points from midfielders Nicole O’Neill (two) and Amy Boyle making it 0-4 to 0-3 after 12 minutes.

By the 17th minute the visitors had gone 11 minutes without a score but hard work and persistence from Róisín Howard paid off when she split the posts to put two between the sides again.

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That score kicked Tipperary into gear again, with Caoimhe McCarthy adding her second point following an excellent run from Clodagh McIntyre.

The crucial score of the half came in 29th minute when Eimear McGrath set up debutant Caoimhe Stakelum for a goal. Eimear McGrath followed with a pointed free, and Caoimhe Stakelum added the half-time salvo, leaving Tipperary ahead 1-10 to 0-4.

The second half began with Antrim striking early through a free from O’Neill and a point from Maeve Kelly, who had a great battle with Tipperary’s Celine Guinan throughout the hour. McGrath responded with a pointed free, before O’Neill added another score for the home team.

Tipperary then gradually regained control, with Clodagh McIntyre causing constant problems for the Antrim defence and contributing a couple of points herself. Kate Ralph also added her second point of the hour, while Caoimhe Stakelum showcased her skills with several scores.

A highlight came when Niamh Treacy came off the bench and scored a goal with her first touch, extending Tipperary’s lead to a comfortable 2-19 to 0-10.

Manager James Heffernan will have been pleased with the overall team performance on his first day out, particularly the contribution of the younger players.

Debutantes Isobel O’Donnell at corner back and Caoimhe Stakelum at corner forward slotted in seamlessly, while the midfield pairing of Kate Ralph and Karen Kennedy teamed up well in the middle of the park. In defence, Caoimhe McCarthy and Celine Guinan impressed, while upfront Clodagh McIntyre and Róisín Howard worked tirelessly. All the substitutes made meaningful contributions, ensuring Tipp maintained their dominance throughout.

Tipperary now turn their attention to their next challenge, a Division 1A clash away to Kilkenny in Freshford this Saturday at 2pm, where a tougher test awaits.

Tipperary scorers: C Stakelum 1-4, N Treacy 1-0, E McGrath 0-4, 2fs, C McIntyre 0-3, K Ralph and C McCarthy 0-2 each, L Purcell, R Howard, K Kennedy and A Dwyer 0-1 each.
Antrim scorers: N McAtamney 0-5 fs, K Molloy, A Boyle, E McAllister (f) and M Kelly 0-1 each.

Antrim: C Graham, C Patterson, S Heggarty, C McKillop, L Black, N Cosgrove, E Coulter, A Boyle, N McAtamney, M Kelly, L McNaughton, K McKillop, E McIntosh, J McIntosh, K Molloy.
Subs: E McAllister for E McIntosh (ht), D Dobbin for L Black (44), A Ferris for N McAtamney (49), C Griffin for K McKillop (50), O McAllister for J McIntosh (57).

Tipperary: Á Slattery, I O’Donnell, C Guinan, E Loughman, S Corcoran, C McCarthy, E Carey, K Ralph, K Kennedy, A Quinlisk, R Howard, C McIntyre, C Stakelum, E McGrath, L Purcell.
Subs: A Dwyer for A Quinlisk (45), M Burke for K Ralph (50), C Maher for C Guinan (50), N Cuneen for C Stakelum (56), N Treacy for R Howard (58).

Referee: R Kelly (Kildare).