McGrath hits hat-trick in bounce-back win for Tipperary against Galway

Very Camogie League – Division 1A - Round 2

Tipperary 3-10 

Galway 1-13

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary responded in the best possible way to their initial loss to Waterford with a gritty three-point win over Galway in round two of the Very Camogie League, division 1 A, at The Ragg on Saturday.

The Waterford loss was a huge disappointment to manager Denis Kelly and his charges but this victory, achieved while a player short for the entire second half, brings them right back into the frame, with another blockbuster away to Cork coming up the weekend after this.

Tipperary had to win to stay in contention and when the chips were down, quality told as Eimear McGrath turned in a master class in attack, scoring a whopping 3-7, 3-1 from play. Essentially, she was the difference between the teams, particularly as Galway were left to rue missing five likely point chances from frees.

But the courage and resolve of the Tipp girls also have to be saluted, given that they played all but a few seconds of the second half with only fourteen players. Cahir’s Roisin Howard has to feel very hard done by with a dismissal for a second yellow card straight from the throw-in at the start of the second period when she stood her ground as her opponent sought to go by her. Her initial yellow card was similar, both decisions evoking strong protests from the Tipp bench.

Tipperary led at half-time 2-6 to 0-8. They were level at 0-3 each when Eimear McGrath slapped home her first goal after a fine run by midfielder Casey Hennessy. Mary Burke extended the advantage but Galway hit back for three points from Carrie Dolan frees before McGrath pointed and then flashed home her second goal in the 27th minute.

Galway had always looked dangerous on the attack so Tipp would have their work cut out to maintain their advantage in the second half. That task got immensely harder on resuming as Roisin Howard was sidelined but the Tipp girls really dug in to keep Galway at bay and when Eimear McGrath got her third goal on 40 minutes after good work by Caoimhe Maher for a 3-8 to 0-9 lead,  the ball was very much in their court.

But Galway were not giving up and it took a fine save from Nicole Walsh to deny them a goal at the three-quarter stage. Galway followed up with four unanswered points and Tipperary's backs were to the wall as the game moved into stoppage time leading 3-9 to 0-13. Then Galway centre halfback Siobhan Gardiner burst through for a goal to cut the lead to two points after 62 minutes, but Eimear McGrath crowned a fine individual performance with a pointed free in the 64th minute after which the final whistle was blown.

The importance of the win in terms of the league campaign and boosting confidence cannot be underestimated. Galway are among the front-runners for the title. To beat them, particularly when a player short, was a considerable achievement and underlined the great character in this Tipp squad. Eimear McGrath’s contribution was immense and she brought all her class and experience to the table.

But the defence too was outstanding, particularly in the closing stages as Galway pressed for scores with Karin Black, Mairead Eviston,(back after missing the Waterford game) and Eimear Loughman shackling the opposition. Further upfield Teresa Ryan, Casey Hennessy, and Mary Burke all played their hearts out.

Galway will rue the chances squandered but no fault can be laid at the feet of such as Siobhan Gardiner, Aoife Donohue, Ava Crowe, Siobhan McGrath, and Ciara Hickey.

Tipperary: Nicole Walsh; Karin Blair, Mairead Eviston, Eimear Loughman; Caoimhe McCarthy, Clodagh Quirke, Clodagh McIntyre; Teresa Ryan(0-1), Casey Hennessy; Roisin Howard, Caoimhe Maher, Ciara Maher; Mary Burke (0-2), Eimear McGrath (3-7, 0-4f), Eimear Heffernan.

Subs used: Sarah Madden for Ciara Maher (44); Ellen Cunneen for Ryan (49); Kate Ralph for Heffernan (55); Caoimhe Perdue for Burke (56).

Galway: Fiona Ryan; Ava Crowe, Roisin Black, Dervla Higgins; Rachel Hanniffy, Siobhan Gardiner (1-0), Ciara Hickey; Ally Hesnan, Aoife Donohue (0-1); Carrie Dolan (0-8f), Ailish O’Reilly, Niamh McPeake; Orlaith McGrath, Siobhan McGrath, Niamh Niland (0-1). 

Subs used: Aine Keane for Higgins (38); Sabina Rabbitte (0-3f) for Niland (38); Mairead Dillon for Crowe (53); Annmarie Starr for Hesnan (53); Katie Manning for Dolan (53); Shannon Corcoran for O’Reilly (60).

Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clare)