Tipperary juniors qualify for All-Ireland semi-final after defeat of Armagh

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Championship - Round 5

Tipperary 2-12

Armagh 1-4

Tipperary booked their place in this year's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland semi-final thanks to a 2-12 to 1-4 win over Armagh in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. While the final score showed an 11-point victory for the home side the game was a lot closer for many parts with Tipperary trailing at half-time by a point 1-1 to 0-3. 

The first half was a cagey affair with the stop-start nature meaning neither side got into any rhythm and scores were at a minimum. The experienced Ciara Geoghegan capitalised when the Tipp defence were beaten to score a fourth-minute goal after some good build-up play from Rachel Merry. 

It was the 31st minute before Armagh scored again (a free from Geoghegan) thanks to some wonderful defending from the Tipp full back line of Lorna Ryan, Ciara Ryan, and Maria Connolly. 

Tipperary playing with the wind managed three first-half points from Jenny Grace (0-2, 0-1 free) and a well-struck Ciara Brennan point. 

Tipperary were much improved in the second half. Upping the work rate, intensity, and pace of attack the scores started to come from Grace Moloney, Sinead Meagher, and Ciara Brennan and they began to open up a lead. 

Half-time substitute Laura Shinners had an immediate impact with an early point from play while also slotting over two frees. While Leanne Donnnelly had a very good first half for Armagh in the second half Anna Fahie and Amy Quinlisk began to get on top. 

The Tipp defence continued to shut down almost every Armagh attack and despite playing with the wind advantage they could only manage three second-half points all from full forward Caira Geoghegan (1 from play and 2 frees). 

The turning point of the game came on the three-quarter mark when the brilliant Sinead Meagher struck 1-1 in quick succession. First, she caught a long ball in and turned under pressure and with one hand managed to swing on the ball and fire over a point. 

Moments later a long free-in by Laura Shinners was caught brilliantly again by Captain Sinead Meagher and this time she turned and buried a goal to suddenly open up a five-point lead for Tipperary 1-9 to 1-4. 

From here on in Tipperary never looked back and produced a great final quarter hitting 1-3 without reply despite being reduced to 14 players with 10 minutes to go. Laura Shinners and Sinead Meagher pointed three frees to extend their lead while in the 31st first minute, a great reverse pass from Meagher found the on-rushing Amy Quinlisk with the pass putting her through for a well-taken goal to seal a 2-12 to 1-4 victory. 

Tipperary along with Laois - the other group winners - now advance to the All-Ireland semi-final which takes place on Saturday 20th July in Ashbourne. 

Tipperary: Laura Leenane; Lorna Ryan, Ciara Ryan, Maria Connolly; Orla O’Brien, Sophie Pembroke, Lily Fahie; Amy Quinlisk (1-0), Anna Fahie; Jill-Anne Quirke, Ciara Brennan (0-1), Grace Moloney (0-1); Emma Flanagan (0-1), Sinead Meagher (1-4, 0-2f), Jenny Grace (0-2, 0-1f). 

Subs used: Laura Shinners (0-3, 0-2f) for Grace; Gemma Fox for Meagher.

Armagh: Katie Comiskey; Michelle McCone, Gemma McCann, Nicola Woods; Katie Convie, Eimear Hayes, Cara Crilly; Erin Murphy, Leanne Donnelly; Rachel Merry, Niamh Forker, Eimear O’Kane; Tierna Maxwell, Ciara Geoghegan (1-4, 0-3 frees), Jennifer Curry. 

Referee: Colm Ó Mocháin (Cork)