Tipperary secure Munster success with battling performance to edge Cork in U23 decider

Munster Camogie U23 Camogie Championship Final

Tipperary 1-12

Cork 0-13

Tipperary were crowned Munster U23 camogie champions after a hard-fought victory over Cork in Cappamore on Sunday, holding their nerve late on to withstand a powerful second-half comeback and see the game out after six minutes of added time.

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It was Cork who made the sharper start, moving two points clear early on through scores from Ciara Morrison and Eimear Duignan, both from play. Tipperary responded well, settling into the contest with points from Lucy Heffernan and Grace Moloney to draw level.

Cork then enjoyed their best spell of the half, hitting four unanswered points to open up a four-point gap. Rose Murphy and Niamh McNabola added to their tally, while Molly O’Dwyer was called into action to produce an excellent save and deny a certain goal. Amy Sheppard followed up with a converted forty five and a free to leave Cork leading 0-6 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.

Tipperary regrouped impressively. With the defence tightening up and limiting Cork’s opportunities, the Premier side found momentum at the other end. Over a six-minute spell, they struck four points from play without reply, with Maeve Cunneen and Grace Moloney contributing two each to bring the sides level once more.

Cork edged back in front before the break through points from Ciara Morrison and Ciara Golden, although Eve O’Dwyer had the final say of the half with a pointed free to leave just the minimum between the sides, Cork leading 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval.

Tipperary carried that momentum into the second half, with Lucy Heffernan equalising inside the opening minute. Cork had a big chance to regain control when they were awarded a penalty, but once again Molly O’Dwyer came to the rescue with a superb save to deny Amy Sheppard.

After Anna Kearney prevented Tipperary from taking the lead, Eve O’Dwyer edged them in front for the first time with a well-taken free. Cork responded in kind through Sheppard, leaving the sides level for the fourth time. From there, Tipperary produced a decisive spell. With Grace Moloney and Eve O’Dwyer leading the charge, they opened up a five-point advantage.

O’Dwyer added a free, Moloney chipped in from play, and when Tipperary were awarded a penalty, O’Dwyer made no mistake in finding the net to push her side five clear with 11 minutes remaining.

Cork refused to go away and rallied with four points in succession, three frees from Amy Sheppard and another from Ciara Golden cutting the gap back to just a single point.

The closing stages were tense as Cork applied relentless pressure during the six minutes of injury time. However, Tipperary stood firm defensively, and a crucial late forty five from Eve O’Dwyer proved the insurance score, sealing a deserved victory.

O’Dwyer’s influence throughout was immense, and she was rightly named player of the match after playing a central role in securing the Munster title for Tipperary.

Scorers: Tipperary: Eva O’ Dwyer 1-4 (0-3f’s 1-0 pen), Grace Moloney 0-4, Lucy Heffernan, Maeve Cunneen 0-2 each.

Cork: Amy Sheppard 0-6 (0-4f’s 0-1 45), Ciara Morrison, Ciara Golden 0-2each, Rose Murphy, Eimear Duignan, Leah Mc Nabola 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Molly O’Dwyer (Moycarkey Borris); Aoife Mellerick (Newport Ballinahinch), Katie Fitzgerald (Borris-Ileigh), Lilly Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs); Paula Quirke (Boherlahan Dualla), Miriam Murphy (Silvermines), Kate Dowling (Moycarkey Borris); Eimear Fogarty (Shannon Rovers), Anna Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs); Maeve Cunneen (Silvermines), Niamh Cunneen (Silvermines), Eva O’Dwyer (Éire Óg Annacarty); Lucy Heffernan (Éire Óg Annacarty), Grace Moloney (Cashel King Cormacs), Kate Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore).

Subs used: Ellen Cunneen (Silvermines) for M Cunneen (44); Danielle Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty) for L Heffernan (54).

Cork: Anna Kearney (Blackrock); Maedhbh De Burca (Carrigtwohill), Amy O'Riordan (Ballinora), Avril Cashman (Youghal); Liz O’Donovan (St Finbarr’s), Laura Dunlea (Sarsfields), Keeley Goulding (Ballincollig); Catherine Murphy (Kinsale), Amy McCarthy (Clonakilty); Ciara Golden (St Finbarr’s), Rose Murphy (Ballinora), Eimear Duignan (Mallow); Amy Sheppard, (Cloughduv), Leah McNabola (Cloughduv), Ciara Morrison (Douglas).

Subs used: Amy Barrett (Aghabullogue) for C Murphy (HT); Ella Wiggington Barrett (St Finbarr's) for L O’Donovan (58); Maebh O’Brien (Enniskeane) for C Morrison (58).

Referee: Daniel O’Donnell (Limerick)

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