Meet Tipperary's latest Munster champions after incredible final an performance outdoes Cork

Munster U16A Camogie Championship Final

Tipperary 2-15

Cork 2-6

Tipperary were crowned Munster U16A champions on Saturday after a fantastic all-round team display against Cork in Cork. Right from the off, Tipperary looked the hungrier and sharper of the two sides. Playing with the wind, the damage was done in the first half and by the break, Tipp were 1-10 to 0-2 in front.

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Tipperary delivered a commanding performance, producing an outstanding display from start to finish, with a rock-solid defence restricting the Cork forwards to very limited scoring opportunities throughout. Taylor Corbett was superb at wing-back, while Katelyn Creedon dominated at full-back.

Up front, while Lily Ivors proved a constant menace in attack, the standout performer on the day was Maria Groome, who was a deserved Player of the Game. The half-forward was superb from the opening whistle and finished with an impressive tally of 2-2.

Lily Ivors opened the scoring for the visitors from a free, with Saili O’Connor and Olivia Looby also on target as Tipp made a confident start. Cork’s first score came from an Isabelle O’Callaghan free, but Tipperary continued to make the wind advantage count, with Lily Ivors and Maria Groome adding points to give Tipperary a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Borris-Ileigh’s Maria Groome then struck for the game’s first goal with a superb finish to extend Tipp’s lead, before Lily Ivors added two more points as Cork struggled to get to grips with the intensity of the Tipperary attack. A great save from Sinead Delaney and further accuracy from free-taker Ivors meant Tipperary enjoyed a 1-10 to 0-2 advantage at half-time.

Tipperary showed no sign of slowing down in the second half. Lily Ivors and Lauren McAuliffe exchanged points before substitute Lucy Ann Cleary went on an excellent run and fed the ball through to Maria Groome, who finished to the back of the net on her second attempt after her original shot was saved. This extended Tipperary’s lead to 2-12 to 0-3 points.

Tipp management were able to use all eight subs and each player made an impact as everyone vied for a starting jersey come the All-Ireland series. Credit to Cork, they showed great determination in the second half, with Alanah Murphy raising a green flag and Isabelle O’Callaghan and Simone Fitzgerald adding points to reduce the deficit to 2-13 to 1-5. 

Despite a second Cork goal, this time by Eabha Lynch, Tipperary remained in control and hungry to the end, with Aoife O’Donnell pointing to leave the full-time score 2-15 to 2-6 and a first Munster U16 A title in a number of years for the Premier County.

Scorers: Tipperary: L Ivors (0-9, 0-7f), M Groome 2-2, S O’Connor, O Looby, L Lee, A O’Donnell all 0-1 each.

Cork: A Murphy, E Lynch 1-0 each, I O’Callaghan 0-4 (4f), L McAuliffe (f), S Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney (Templemore); GrainneTroy (Toomevara), Katelyn Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Tara Maher (Borris-Ileigh); Kate Duffy (Burgess Duharra), Evie Ahern (Mullinahone), Taylor Corbett (Gortnahoe Glengoole); Caoimhe Kennedy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Aoife O’Donnell (Boherlahan Dualla); Melanie Flannery (Cahir), Molly Jones (Moyne Templetuohy), Maria Groome (Borris-Ileigh); Olivia Looby (Borris-Ileigh), Saili O’Connor (Nenagh Éire Óg), Lily Ivors (Ballingarry).

Subs used: Lucy Anne Cleary (Nenagh Éire Óg) for M Jones (39); Lucy Lee (Newport/Ballinahinch) for M Flannery (39); Meabh Lonergan (Rockwell Rovers) for S O’Connor (47); Rona O’Connor (Brian Borus) for K Duffy (53); Ashling Cully (Cashel King Cormacs) for E Ahern (53); Aoife Ryan (Borris-Ileigh) for O Looby (55); Mae Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla) for L Ivors (55); Lorna Ryan (Templemore) for G Troy (55).

Cork: K Murphy (Sliabh Rua); E Dennehy (Ballinhassig), A McCarthy (Blarney), L Sheehan (St Finbarr’s); Kate O’Mahoney (Kilbrittain/Timoleague), E Lynch (Blarney), L Daly (Inniscarra); E Rath (Sliabh Rua), S Carey Ni Loingsigh (Aghabullogue); O O’Brien (Cloughduv), L McAuliffe (Newtownshandrum), A Coughlan (Newtownshandrum); C Walsh (Killeagh), C Leahy (Blarney), I O’Callaghan (Cloughduv).  

Subs used: S Gilmore (Clonakilty) for A Coughlan (29); A Byerley (Clonakilty) for C Leahy (29); A Keane (Dungourney) for L Sheehan (29); A Murphy (Aghabullogue) for O O’Brien (HT); A Ryan (Sarsfields) for L Daly (34); A Kenneally (Brian Dillons) for L McAuliffe (43); S Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s) for C Walsh (50); E Cafferkey (St Vincent’s) for K O’Mahoney (55).

Referee: Philip Dee (Limerick)

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