Relegation threat looms for Tipperary's senior camogie team after Galway loss in the league

Centra National Camogie League - Division 1A - Round 4

Tipperary 0-12 

Galway 1-13

By Michael Dundon

After a second successive defeat in Division 1A of the Centra Camogie League, the spectre of relegation hangs over Tipperary, who suffered a four-point defeat at the hands of All-Ireland champions Galway at The Ragg on Saturday.

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With a win over Antrim and a loss to Kilkenny going into this game, full points were imperative if the Premier girls were to push for a place in the final. Galway, who defeated Tipp in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, had lost both their opening games, so there was an even greater urgency there, and they adapted better to the circumstances of the occasion after a slow start to fashion a four-point win.

Tipp’s standing as a Division One competitor looks precarious now with games against Cork and Waterford to come. They looked to be in a strong position as they built up a 0-6 to 0-1 lead after 16 minutes aided by the breeze, but a fortuitous goal in the 17th minute when an Aoife Donohue shot which appeared to be going wide struck the timber to end in the Tipp net got Galway going and they called the shots for the remainder of the half and for the third quarter.

Mary Burke, Caoimhe Stakelum, Caoimhe Maher, Grace O’Brien and a brace of pointed frees from Eimear McGrath had Tipp in a healthy position after the first quarter, Galway’s Carrie Dolan having raised a white flag for the visitors. Donohue’s goal transformed Galway, who began to show the quality of All-Ireland champions, drawing level 1-3 to 0-6 after 21 minutes as Tipp were punished for handling and striking errors.

However, Eimear McGrath, with two points, one from play, helped Tipperary to an interval lead of 0-8 to 1-4, but with the fresh breeze to be faced on the turnover, things were looking ominous for the home side. And so it transpired.

In the opening seven minutes of the second half, Galway struck five points to go 1-9 to 0-8 ahead, and from here to the finish, Tipp were chasing the game. Eimear McGrath’s free after 38 minutes steadied the ship for Tipp. It was quickly followed by a Clodagh McIntyre white flag, but a couple of chances for points were spurned as Galway dug in to protect their lead.

Tipp needed a goal, but it never looked likely, the inside forwards having to operate too far outfield in a bid for possession. In addition, Galway were keeping a close watch on the Tipperary danger girls. Twice, Tipp came within a goal of them in the closing stages, but Galway defended their lead well and fully deserved their first points in the competition.

So a difficult couple of games ahead for Tipp if they are to avoid relegation. Cork are a formidable side, and Waterford are never easy to beat, but there is enough quality in the Tipp side to play themselves out of the situation. The second and third quarters were their undoing on this occasion; otherwise, they matched the All-Ireland champions, which should give them heart for the trials ahead.

Tipperary’s best performances came from defenders with Celine Guinan, Caoimhe McCarthy, Mairead Eviston and Eimear Loughman to the fore. Karen Kennedy worked hard at midfield, despite close attention throughout. Clodagh McIntyre and Caoimhe Stakelum were the main threats in attack, while Eimear McGrath’s striking off placed balls was also productive.

In midfielder Carrie Dolan Galway had the best player on the field. She was ably assisted by Shannon Corcoran, Ciara Hickey, Roisin Black, Dervla Higgins and Jennifer Hughes.

Scorers: Tipperary: Eimear McGrath (0-5, 0-4f), Caoimhe Stakelum, Clodagh McIntyre 0-2 each, Mary Burke, Caoimhe Maher, Grace O’Brien all 0-1 each.

Galway: Carrie Dolan (0-6, 0-4f), Aoife Donohue 1-0, Shannon Corcoran 0-3, Shauna Healy, Niamh McPeake, Niamh Niland, Niamh Mallon all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Aine Slattery (Shannon Rovers); Mary Burke (Drom & Inch), Mairead Eviston (Drom & Inch), Eimear Loughman (Clonoulty Rossmore); Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey Borris), Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams), Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess Duharra); Aoife Dwyer (Sarsfields), Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch), Grace O’Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg).

Subs used: Isobel O’Donnell (Brian Borus) for Burke (45); Roisin Howard (Cahir) for Maher (45); Eimear Heffernan (Knockavilla Kickhams) for Quinlisk (52), Emma Carey (Thurles Sarsfields) for Corcoran (56), Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch) for O’Brien (57).

Galway: Sarah Healy; Rachael Hannify, Roisin Black, Dervla Higgins; Katie Manning, Ciara Hickey, Katie Anna Porter; Jennifer Hughes, Carrie Dolan; Niamh Mallon, Niamh McPeake, Aoife Donohue; Shannon Corcoran, Niamh Niland, Caoimhe Kelly.

Subs used: Kayla Madden for Kelly (54); Mairead Dillon for Niland (54); Ava Crowe for Porter (59); Tegan Canning for Corcoran (59).

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny)

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