Tipperary failed to master the conditions and strong Cork team

Munster Ladies Football Under 16 B Sharon O’Keeffe Tournament

Cork 1-11 Tipperary 0-3

On a sodden field and with a strong prevailing wind impeding them, the first half of this contest in Mallow on Sunday was always going to be challenging for Tipperary.

Cork opened their account in the third minute with a point from play.

Tipperary responded two minutes later with an Alice Butler point to level the scoreboard for the first and only time in the game. Less than a minute later Cork found the back of the net from Aoife Collins from a well-anticipated move that gave the Tipp goalie no chance.

In the 13th minute Tipperary made the first of their nine substitutions, with Lily O’Donoghue replacing Sarah Rose Meehan.
All the while Cork continued to showcase their dominance, tagging on a further five points to their tally.

Although unfortunate at times to not come away with more possession, the workrate from the Tipperary group was phenomenal but they simply could not factor in the conditions.

The 26th minute saw the introduction of Katie Fox for Sophie McGowan and Cork saw out the half with a further two points to go to the dressing room well in the ascendancy and leading by 1-8 to 0-1.

With an uphill battle in front of them, the young Tipperary side hoped to make the most of the wind advantage in the second half and challenged the score board in the opening minute with a point from a placed ball off Elena Cody’s boot.

This half proved to be more equal in the scoring stakes, but the Tipperary back lines found themselves under a constant barrage from their buoyed-up Cork counterparts.

In the 9th minute Tipperary looked to their bench and both Zara Hennessey and Torrie Doyle were brought in to replace the hard-working Aoife Browne and Kate O’Shea.

Subsequent to the changes, Chloe O’Neill did well to slot over a point from a placed ball but this was to be Tipperary’s final score of the day.

Tipperary’s backs fought an incredible battle under serious pressure from the strong Cork forward lines, who managed to tag two further points before the 20th minute.

Tipperary utilised their bench to the maximum at the same time with the introduction of Meabh Leahy, Emma Durkan, Amy Cahill, Elena Cody, Stella Carr and Rea Hayes who, to their credit, covered acres of space to try and lessen the drift.

The final score of the contest saw Cork’s wing forward finish her side’s scoring and guarantee a comfortable victory for the Leesiders.

Tipperary were put to the pin of their collars against a strong, formidable Cork side but, to their credit, fought hard for the 60 minutes and rarely lost their resolve to remain competitive.

Tipperary: Lucy Moloney, Sophie McGowan, Erin O’Donnell, Brid Delaney, Sarah Rose Meehan, Zara McCarthy, Casey Butler, Sadhbh Hannafin, Elena Cody (0-1), Chloe O’Neill (0-1), Aoibhinn Casey, Aoife Browne, Kate O’Shea, Alice Butler (0-1), Gemma Hayes.

Subs: Lily O’Donoghue for Sarah Rose Meehan (13), Kate Fox for Sophie McGowan (26), Zara Hennessey for Aoife Browne (39), Torrie Doyle for Kate O’Shea (39), Meabh Leahy for Alice Butler (50), Emma Durkan for Brid Delaney (51), Amy Cahill for Kate Fox (52), Aimee Fitzgerald for Elena Cody (53), Stella Carr for Lucy Moloney (55), Rea Hayes for Chloe O’Neill (56).

Referee: Paddy Smith (Waterford).