Tipperary impress in emphatic home victory against the Deise in Munster Championship opener

Eir All-Ireland U16A Championship – Round 1

Tipperary 2-20

Waterford 1-5

A dominant second-half performance saw Tipperary record a comprehensive 2-20 to 1-5 victory over Waterford in the opening round of the Eir All-Ireland U16A Championship.

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Coming into the game as favourites following their recent Munster final success, Tipperary were nonetheless tested early on by a physical Waterford side.

Tipperary made a strong start and opened up a three-point lead through some well-worked early scores, but Waterford responded through the influential Aisling Counihan before Sophie McCarthy struck for a goal on the 13th minute to edge the Déise in front, 1-1 to 0-3. 

The response from Tipperary was immediate, levelling the game four minutes later before Maria Groome’s effort for a point dropped under the crossbar for a fortuitous goal to restore the lead at 1-4 to 1-1 — an advantage they would not relinquish thereafter.

Waterford failed to build on their 13th minute goal and did not register another score for the remainder of the half as Tipperary tightened up defensively and began to dominate around the middle third, where Aoife O’Donnell was particularly impressive. 

Molly Jones and Maria Groome worked tirelessly in the half-forward line, while inside forwards Saili O’Connor and Lily Ivors were sharp and clinical. Ivors struck four points from play and added a free before the break, with O’Connor contributing two points from play, as Tipperary moved into a commanding 1-8 to 1-1 half-time lead.

Tipperary continued to control proceedings on the resumption, with Lily Ivors and Maria Groome adding further excellent scores. 

In defence, Gráinne Troy and Evie Ahern were outstanding throughout, while Caoimhe Kennedy also impressed. Groome’s brilliantly taken second goal of the afternoon in the 38th minute stretched the lead to ten points at 2-9 to 1-2, effectively putting the contest beyond Waterford’s reach.

While Waterford battled gamely throughout, they found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities against a resolute and well-organised Tipperary defence. 

The Tipperary bench also made a significant impact, with LucyAnne Cleary firing over three excellent points, Mae Kennedy adding two, and Lucy Lee also getting on the scoresheet. 

Their combined contribution helped push the margin further clear as Tipperary powered to an emphatic 2-20 to 1-5 victory, with Waterford’s second-half scores coming from Aisling Counihan, Katie Mullane and Maisie Roche who impressed on her introduction. Next up for Tipperary is a home game against Limerick on February 22. 

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney; Grainne Troy, Katelyn Creedon, Tara Maher; Kate Duffy, Evie Ahern, Taylor Corbett; Caoimhe Kennedy, Aoife O'Donnell (0-1); Melanie Flannery, Molly Jones, Maria Groome (2-2); Olivia Looby, Saili O'Connor (0-2), Lily Ivors (0-9, 0-4f).

Subs used: Elin Brennan, Ashling Cully, Lorna Ryan, Lucy Lee, LucyAnn Cleary, Mae Kennedy, Meabh Lonergan, Rona O’Connor.

Waterford: Tianna Barrett; Rachel O’Donovan, Sophie Carroll Lawler, Heather Power; Trudie O’Reilly, Amy Beresford, Becky Sheridan; Laura Beresford, Aine Desmond; Lily Codd, Katie Mullane (0-2f), Doireann Power; Aisling Counihan (0-2), Sophie McCarthy (1-0), Lauren O’Connor.

Subs used: Mairi Phelan, Maisie Roche (0-1), Liadian McGrath, Hollie Cahill, Niamh Woods.

Referee: Joseph Mullins (Clare)

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