Tipperary finish league on a high with impressive dismissal of finalists Waterford

Centra Camogie National  League - Division 1A - Round 5

Tipperary 3-21

Waterford 1-8

By Michael Dundon

No one predicted this whitewash by Tipperary. Previously unbeaten Waterford were blitzed by a razor-sharp Premier outfit in round five of the Centra senior camogie national league at the Ragg on Saturday, a win that kept Tipp in the frame for a place in the final, depending on other weekend results.

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To put the result in context, Waterford had already qualified for the final, and their starting line-up showed six changes from their previous outing, with some key players being rested. 

Tipp needed to win, and their greater urgency was reflected in their best performance of the campaign, building on the great second-half showing against Cork in the previous round when they came from well behind to draw.

Whatever the impact on the league placings, which had four teams chasing down a final spot going into the last round, and relegation also a possibility for some, the quality of this showing will give the Tipp management great heart with the championship looming. 

The girls were sharp, competitive, and efficient in all they did, as is reflected in their 24 scores with just five wides.

And it was not just the attack that impressed. The defenders, ably led by Mairead Eviston,  gave the Waterford attack no room, closing them down in numbers, and their use of the ball was also top-drawer.

The pattern of the game was established within seconds of the throw-in as Roisin Howard blasted home a quality goal. 

Six Tipperary points followed for a 1-6 to no score lead after ten minutes, Eimear McGrath (two frees), Karen Kennedy, Lucy Purcell, Niamh Treacy and Roisin Howard, all raising flags.

The expected kick from Waterford came with three unanswered points to which Caoimhe Stakelum and Eimear McGrath responded for a 1-8 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The Tipp girls were rampant, and they continued to dominate to the interval, extending their advantage to 1-14 to 0-7  and with victory looking almost certain unless there was a complete second-half collapse.

Waterford brought on some of their “big guns” for the second half, but Tipp were relentless. 

After five minutes, Eimear McGrath’s free from distance deceived Waterford goalie Noelle Murphy to dip under the crossbar for a goal that really put the game beyond Waterford’s reach.

The scores flowed for Tipp, Niamh Rockett’s pointed free for Waterford after forty two minutes their first score of the second half. With Tipperary leading 2-19 to 0-8 Waterford got a consolation goal through Maggie Gostle after 51 minutes. 

It did nothing to change the shape of the game as three minutes later Karen Kennedy soloed through to bang home Tipperary’s third goal, clubmate Lucy Purcell rounding off a particularly productive outing with a brace of points to add to the two she registered earlier.

The challenge for the Tipp girls now is to build on their league performances against Cork(second half) and Waterford in the upcoming championship. 

These outings indicate that Tipp have the quality and potential to win, and they are really in a good place going forward. There were several eye-catching performances in this encounter. 

Amy Quinlisk, Emma Carey, and Mairead Eviston were dominant defenders. Karen Kennedy and Lucy Purcell controlled the midfield and contributed crucial scores. 

Eimear McGrath’s free-taking is a huge asset in attack, where Roisin Howard and Caoimhe Stakelum also excelled.

Waterford will want to put this loss behind them as they head into the league final. Even allowing for the number of regulars absent from their starting line-up, they played well below their best, with only Maggie Gostl, Eimear O’Neill, Keeley Corbett Barry, Beth Carton and Rachel Walsh up to the pace on the day.

Scorers: Tipperary: Eimear McGrath (1-6, 0-6f), Karen Kennedy, Roisin Howard 1-2 each, Lucy Purcell, Caoimhe Stakelum 0-4 each, Niamh Treacy, Eimear Heffernan, Aoife Dwyer 0-1 each.

Waterford: Maggie Gostl 1-1, Beth Carton (0-4, 0-3f), Eimear O’Neill, Mairead O’Brien, Niamh Rockett all 0-1 each. 

Tipperary: Laura Leenane (Shannon Rovers); Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonagh), Mairead Eviston (Drom & Inch), Eimear Loughman (Clonoulty Rossmore); Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams), Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers), Emma Carey (Thurles Sarsfields); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields); Aoife Dwyer (Thurlee Sarsfields), Roisin Howard (Cahir); Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha), Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch), Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch).

Subs used: Niamh Cunneen (Silvermines) for Treacy (40); Caoimhe Maher (Burgess Duharra) for McIntyre (45); Jean Kelly (Eire Og Annacarty) for McGrath (49); Ellen Cunneen (Silvermines) for Howard (51); Mary Burke (Drom & Inch) for Eviston (56); Danielle Ryan (Eire Og Annacarty) for Stakelum (58).

Waterford: Noelle Murphy; Iona Heffernan, Clodagh Carroll, Alannah McNulty; Rachael Walsh, Keeley Corbett-Barry, Ciara Sherlock; Eimear O’Neill, Mairead O'Brien; Alannah O’Sullivan, Beth Carton, Maggie Gostle; Laoise Forrest, Sarah Lacey, Rebecca Farrell.

Subs used: Bevin Bowdren for Sherlock (HT); Niamh Rockett for Farrell (HT); Katelyn Lyons for Forrest (38); Kelsie Obanya for Lacey (38);  Abbie Burrows for Carton (50).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)

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