REPORTS: Tipperary teams perform but have a mixed bag in terms of result last weekend

Munster Minor B Cup Final

Tipperary 6-16

Clare 3-2

After falling short in their respective Munster Minor A semi-finals, Tipperary and Clare met in Bishopstown, Cork, on Monday to contest the Munster Minor B Cup final. Tipperary, with the wind at their backs in the opening half, made a blistering start, with Caoimhe Stakelum in fine form. 

She opened the scoring with a well-taken free before quickly adding a goal from play. Further points from Anna O’Brien, Elana McGrath, and another Stakelum free pushed Tipperary into a commanding 1-5 to no-score lead.

Stakelum continued to torment the Clare defence, adding another score before Clare finally opened their account with a goal from their corner forward Tara Moroney. Tipperary responded well, with Lucy O’Brien making a superb catch and setting up Stakelum for another point. 

However, Clare found a way through the Tipperary full-back line again, this time Ciara Punch raised a green flag to leave the score at 1-8 to 2-0.

Emma Kennedy, outstanding in midfield, delivered a pinpoint pass to Maeve Cunneen, who struck for Tipperary’s second goal to restore their advantage. A brilliant clearance by Sarah McLoughlin then led to Cuneen's second goal, making it 3-8 to 2-0. 

Stakelum added a free before continuing her excellent form with a surging run and another point. Lucy O’Brien then struck a fine long-range effort from 50 metres after a great delivery from Emma Kennedy, leaving the halftime score at 4-11 to 2-0 in Tipperary’s favour.

Tipperary maintained their momentum in the second half, with Stakelum converting another free. Clare responded with a point from Leah Kelly and a well-taken free, while Caoilfhionn Perill also added a score from play. 

However, Tipperary’s dominance continued as Maeve Cunneen completed her hat-trick, pushing the score to 5-12 to 3-2 with 16 minutes remaining. Clare’s third goal came from substitute Aoibhinn Creaven.

Ava Gaynor made an instant impact after being introduced, winning a penalty, which Stakelum calmly dispatched to the net. Stakelum added two more points from play in the closing stages, sealing a commanding victory for Tipperary.

Tipperary: Danielle Butler; Leah Maher, Molly Loughnane, Sarah English; Clodagh Grimes, Eva Ralph,  Sarah McLoughlin; Emma Kennedy, Issy Carr; Ciara Cahill, Lucy O’Brien (0-1), Isabelle Kingston; Elana McGrath (0-1), Caoimhe Stakelum (3-13, 0-8f, 0-2 45s, 1-0 oen),  Maeve Cunneen (3-1), 

Clare: Nisha O’Neill; Caoimhe McNulty, Aine Rodgers, Caoilfhionn Perill (0-1); Aisling Hannan, Tara Murnane, Shauna Queally; Eabha O’Driscoll, Lucy Pearl; Jessie Hogan, Caoimhe Hegarty, Ciara Punch (1-0); Leah Kelly (0-1f), Bronagh Brady, Tara Moroney (1-0).

Subs used: Aoibhinn Creaven (1-0).