Tipperary begin defence of All-Ireland crown with a hard earned draw in Cork

Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A Championship – Round 1

Tipperary 3-5 

Cork 1-11 

The opening round of the Electric Ireland Minor Championship ended in a dramatic stalemate at Castle Road as Cork and Tipperary played out an enthralling contest to kick-start their campaigns.

With a strong wind at their backs, Tipperary made the perfect start, as Caoimhe Stakelum struck for two goals inside the first three minutes. 

Cork nearly responded immediately, but an outstanding save from Tipperary goalkeeper Danielle Butler denied them an opening score. It wasn’t until the tenth minute that Cork finally got off the mark, with Catherine Murphy splitting the posts.

Despite facing the elements, Cork were enjoying plenty of possession, but wayward shooting proved costly as they racked up six wides compared to Tipperary’s one. However, they found a breakthrough in the 22nd minute when Ali Mulkerins found the net, capitalizing on another Butler save.

As half-time approached, Cork’s defense came under pressure, leading to crucial frees for Tipperary. Stakelum made no mistake, converting three placed balls to send her side in at the break with a 2-3 to 1-1 advantage.

Cork came out strongly in the second half, with Tara Goulding (2) and Rachel Murphy narrowing the gap, but Lucy O’Brien and Stakelum responded to keep Tipperary’s lead intact. 

As Cork began to gain a foothold, Butler once again proved vital, producing another superb save to deny Mulkerins a second goal, instead deflecting her shot over the bar. Points from Shona Cronin and Rachel Murphy brought Cork within one as momentum swung in their favor.

Playing with a sweeper, Tipperary looked to Stakelum, who continued to cause problems around the middle. It was her link-up play that led to a decisive moment, as Maeve Cunneen finished to the net, restoring a four-point cushion with just seven minutes left.

But Cork refused to back down. Rachel Murphy pointed before another brilliant Butler save denied Shauna Cronin, with her shot being deflected over. Caoilainn Ryan then cut the deficit to a single point, before Cronin held her nerve to convert a 45 four minutes into injury time, bringing the sides level.

With the game on a knife edge, play continued for another two minutes, but neither side could find a winner, leaving honours even at the final whistle.

Scorers: Tipperary: Caoimhe Stakelum (2-4, 0-3f), Maeve Cunneen 1-0, Lucy O’Brien 0-1.

Cork: Ally Mulkerins 1-1, Shona Cronin (0-3, 0-1 45), Rachel Murphy (0-3, 0-2f), Tara Goulding 0-2, Catherine Murphy, Caoilainn Ryan 0-1 each.

Cork: Anna Kearney (Blackrock); Ally McGrath (Éire Óg), Laoise Ahern (Éire Óg), Saoirse Cunningham (Erin’s Own); Avril Cagney (Mallow), Aoife Cottrell (Ballinhassig), Aisling Cussen (Ballinhassig); Jess Murphy (Blackrock), Caoilainn Ryan (Newtownshandrum); Rachel Murphy (Ballinora), Catherine Murphy (Kinsale), Clara Murphy (Éire Óg); Ally Mulkerrins (St Catherine’s), Tara Goulding (Ballincollig) Ava McAuliffe (Castlemartyr).

Subs used: Millie Lombard (Ballinhassig) for A Cagney (28, inj); Shona Cronin (Valley Rovers) for Clara Murphy (HT); Kate O’Sullivan (Midleton) for A Mulkerrins (50); Maebh O’Brien (Enniskeane) for Catherine Murphy (58).

Tipperary: Danielle Butler (Éire Óg Annacarty); Molly Loughnane (Roscrea), Sarah McLoughlin (Boherlahan Dualla), Leanna Coppinger (Thurles Sarsfields); Clodagh Grimes (Newport Ballinahinch), Isobel O’ Donnell (Brian Borus), Eva Ralph (Moycarkey Borris); Rachael O’ Meara (Mullinahone), Emma Kennedy (Lorrha); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Lucy O’Brien (St Patrick’s), Elana McGrath (Holycross Ballycahill); Eimhear Troy (Toomevara), Ciara Cahill (Drom & Inch), Maeve Cunneen (Silvermines).

Subs used: Izzy Carr for Loughnane (40); Isabelle Kingston for Troy (46); Ava Gaynor for L O’ Brien (53); Kate Dowling for R O’ Meara (55).

Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)