Tipperary U16A team blitz Clare in second half masterclass to claim shield title

Munster U16 A Shield Final

Tipperary 3-20

Clare 0-10

The second game of Saturday’s doubleheader in the County Camogie Grounds was the meeting of Tipperary and Clare in the Munster U16 A Shield Final. 

The game can only be described as a game of two halves, with the first half a close keenly contested affair with the sides level at the break 8 points apiece. 

The second half was a different affair with Tipperary finding another few gears that Clare failed to compete with. The home team outscored the visitors 3-12 to 0-2 in the second 30 minutes to secure a big victory in the end. 

The opening quarter was end-to-end stuff with plenty of good scores to leave it 0-5 to 0-3 in Tipperary’s favour. Jessie Shanahan got Tipperary off the mark followed by points from Emma Bonnar, Doireann Ryan, Clodagh Shinners (free) and Isabelle Kingston. 

For Clare Emily Carmody nailed a free while Sarah McEvoy had two points in quick succession in the fourth and fifth minute. Both sides exchanged points in the second quarter the pick of them a Nessa Dwan point in the 24th minute after the Boherlahan player went on a powerful run from her midfield berth. 

Tipperary could have a goal or two before half-time but Aine Boland in the Clare goals pulled off a string of excellent saves and so the team went in tied at the break. Whatever was said by the Tipperary management at half time certainly worked as the team came out with a new energy and purpose in the second half. 

Like the first half Jessie Shanahan got the opening score but this time it was a goal as Tipp began to take over throughout. Three points in quick succession from Doireann Ryan, Isabelle Kingston and Jessie Shanahan had Clare on the back foot. 

In the 35th minute, Kate Nevin’s shot on target yielded a goal and suddenly in the space of five minutes, Tipperary had scored 2-3 and were now nine points in front. It was a dream restart for Tipperary that caught Clare totally off guard and although they never threw in the towel they were second-best to Tipp for the rest of the game. 

Tipperary had a fantastic spread of scorers with Doireann Ryan showing all her class in the 39th minute with a lovely solo effort and point straight off the hurley. The subs also had a great impact off the bench with Grace Cleary and Michelle Lee all contributing on the scoreboard. 

Emily Carmody scored two frees in a row midway through the half but unfortunately for Clare they were unable to break down the excellent Tipp defence led by Ella Frend at full-back with Leah Maher also excellent in the corner. 

The midfield pairing of Emma Kennedy and Nessa Dwan were on top throughout the hour and after the game, Nessa picked up the Player of the Match award for her endeavours.

It was an excellent second-half display by Tipperary and one which will surely please the management team as attention now turns to the All-Ireland series in the summer.

Tipperary: Roisin Ferncombe; Evanne Gleeson, Ella Frend, Leah Maher; Kellie O’Dwyer, Ciara Cahill, Eavann Duffy; Nessa Dwan (0-2), Emma Kennedy; Jessie Shanahan (1-2), Isabelle Kingston (0-5, 0-3f), Emma Bonnar (0-1); Kate Nevin (1-0), Doireann Ryan (0-5), Clodagh Shinners (0-1f).

Subs used: Ola Wasylik, Grace Stapleton, Grace Cleary (0-2), Michelle Lee (1-2).

Clare: Aine Boland; Saoirse O’Farrell, Grainne Cooney, Eliza Wiley; Aimee O’Rourke, Kate Kennedy, Sophie Ryan; Joanna Grady, Lucy Pearl; Molly Purcell, Bronagh Brady, Emily Carmody (0-6, 0-5f); Aine Quaid, Sarah McEvoy (0-4), Ruby Earley.

Referee: James Lundon (Galway)