Tipp camogie U15 team acquited themselves well against stiff competition in Cork tournament

Tipperary’s Blue team travelled to Kilworth in Cork for Saturday’s All-Ireland U15 Blitz. Tipp were in stiff competition in their group against Galway, Kilkenny and Cork. Our warm-up lived up to the name which was in very warm conditions but the girls hydrated and kept as cool whenever the opportunity was available.

The girls got off to a good start in their first game drawing to Galway 0-5 to 0-5, a tight game which could have gone either way. Next up was favourites Kilkenny. The girls gave it their best and shocked Kilkenny with their intensity but came up short losing with a good performance 0-7 to 0-3.

Our final group game against Cork had alot to play for, losing would have resulted in finishing last in the group or win by four points to secure second position. The girls showed great character after conceding two quick goals and they battled back to be winning by a single point at HT. The battle was on in the second half and we secured the second group position beating Cork 3-4 to 2-3.

Up next was a meeting with Clare in the Shield final Final. The Tipperary girls really wanted to finish the year on a high and at half-time the sides were level. Displaying huge determination and spirit in the second half the girls came out in the second half and defeated Clare 3-1 to 1-1. Well done to every player on Saturday. It was brilliant to get silverware and thanks to the parents for support on a long hot day and to the mentors Brian O’Dwyer, Julie Kelly, Sean Maher and Peter Kiely.

The Tipperary Gold team travelled to Carlow to take part in their end-of-season all Ireland blitz on Saturday. First up in sweltering conditions was Kildare U15A. Tipp started well with an early point from Molly McLoughlin and led 0-3 to 0-1 by the first water break. Kildare came back into it to level by half-time

Tipp then got going in the third quarter with goals from Rachel Heffernan and Mary Kate Ely and some lovely scores by Faye Lavin and Ruby Kelly with the half back line of Jenna Hackett, Orla Gleeson and Hannah O’Carroll providing a great platform for the team with Eavann Duffy and Aimee Fitzgerald flying in midfield. Final score 2-9 to 1-4.

No rest for the girls as they went straight back on to face a rested Carlow U15A who had also beaten Kildare beforehand. Tipp scored first with a lovely point from Rachel Heffernan and good support from Molly Carr, Shauna Looby, Sarah Rochfor and Grace Flanagan but then found Carlows athleticism tough to handle and Carlow scored five unanswered points before Eavann Duffy scored after great work from Emma Costello and Sarah Rochford. Then on the stroke of halftime, Carlow scored a goal from 20 yard free to lead 1-5 to 0-2.

Tipp again went to the bench and rallied in the 3rd quarter with unanswered scores from Eavann Duggy and Faye Lavin with good support from Grace Flanagan, Ruby Kelly and Sarah Rochford. The full back line of Rhiannon Jones, Anna Kennedy and Emily McGrath were holding their own and the gap was back to four points before Carlow again surged with 1-2 to win out at 2-7 to 0-4.

This placed Tipp second in the group and into the Shield All-Ireland final versus a Clare team that had beaten table toppers Dublin. The girls responded to the challenge magnificently by taking the game to Clare from the throw-in and led at half time 1-3 to 0-2 with points from Eavann Duffy, Grace Flanagan, Faye Lavin and a great goal from Grace Flanagan after super work from Orla Gleeson at centre back.

Clare came back again but Tipp held them out of goals in this match with great work from keepers Maeve Leahy and Ellen Ryan supported by defenders Aoife Ryan and Aimee Fitzgerald. Midfield of Emma Costello and Sarah Rochford worked so hard and Faye Lavin sealed the win with a final score of 1-4 to 0-4.

Captains for the three matches Eavann Duffy, Sarah Rochford and and Shauna Looby accepted the shield on behalf of the team and team.Well done to all 22 players who all played their part in the win and to the parents for great support all day.