Munster final within reach for Tipperary after impressive dismissal of Cork in Thurles

Munster Senior Camogie Championship Quarter-Final

Tipperary 1-18

Cork 2-9

By Michael Dundon

A semi-final clash with Limerick is Tipperary’s reward for their six-point win over Cork in the quarter-final of the Munster senior championship at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday, a fine contest that provided excellent entertainment for early-comers for the senior hurling clash between the counties later.

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The victory was no more than the Premier girls deserved, the nineteen scores to eleven a more accurate reflection of the play, but there were some anxious moments before Eimear McGrath’s goal for Tipperary, with three minutes of the hour left, finally put the game beyond Cork’s reach.

These sides played an exciting draw when they met in the league, but Tipperary learned more from that encounter, their tenacity in the tackle and their exceptional work-rate being key factors in getting them over the line.

Tipperary dominated the first half with Grace O Brien a thorn in Cork’s side throughout, notching three of the home side’s ten first-half points. 

Karen Kennedy was very influential at midfield as Tipp pushed 0-9 to 0-4 clear approaching half-time. Karin Blair hit two points from wingback as did Kate Ralph from midfield, but a Cork turnover just at the break presented Orlaith Cahalane with the chance to rifle home a Cork goal and at the break Tipp’s lead was an unflattering 0-10 to 1-5.

When Cork hit Tipp with three Saoirse McCarthy points from frees in the opening nine minutes of the second half to go ahead, the situation looked precarious for the home side but a reflection of the spirit in the side was the manner in which they responded to the challenge. 

Eimear Heffernan, a half-time sub, began the rally with a point to which Eimear McGrath added another, a noble effort from a long-range free. She then swapped points with Cork’s Laura Hayes before Tipp gradually began to take control once more.

Points by Eimear Heffernan and Eimear McGrath(free) put Tipp three clear(0-15 to 1-9) before Eimear McGrath netted for Tipp off Caoimhe Stakelum’s pass in the 57th minute. The ball was firmly in Tipp’s court now, and with Jean Kelly marking her introduction with two points, the Premier girls were safely through to the semi-final.

A huge boost for Tipperary camogie, which should do wonders for morale with the All-Ireland series to follow the Munster championship. 

Not only the fact of the win, but the manner in which it was achieved, will have heartened manager James Heffernan and his backroom team going forward. There is a lot of quality in the side, but critically, they also have “the bottle” and energy to compete with the best.

Importantly for Tipp, the leaders in the team stood up when they were needed. Eimear McGrath’s free-taking is a huge asset; Karen Kennedy’s drive and energy operating from midfield is equally so. 

Grace O’Brien and Jean Kelly’s elusiveness will cause headaches to any backline and rowing in behind them, the excellence of Karin Blair, Kate Ralph, Mairead Eviston and Eimear Heffernan was to be admired.

Cork may be gone from the Munster championship, but they will still be a force to be reckoned with in the All-Ireland series. 

Saoirse McCarthy and Hayley Ryan were a constant threat in attack, Laura Hyes was strong at the heart of the defence with Libby Coppinger, Orlaith Cahalane and Millie Condon, among others, to do well.

As a footnote, the Munster camogie council will surely be happy to have their championship as a curtain-raiser to the senior hurling championship games. The large crowd created a great atmosphere for the girls to produce their best on the big stage, and hopefully will be continued into the future.

Scorers: Tipperary: Eimear McGrath (1-4, 0-4f), Grace O Brien 0-3, Kate Ralph, Karin Blair, Jean Kelly, Eimear Heffernan, Caoimhe Stakelum 0-2 each, Clodagh McIntyre 0-1.

Cork: Saoirse McCarthy (0-5, 0-4f), Orlaith Cahalane, N McNabola 1-1 each, Sarah McCartan, Laura Hayes 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Laura Leenane (Shannon Rovers); Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Mairead Eviston (Drom & Inch), Eimear Loughman (Clonoulty Rossmore); Karin Blair (Cashel King Cormacs), Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers), Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Kate Ralph (Moycarkey Borris); Aoife O’Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields), Roisin Howard (Cahir), Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch), Grace O’Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg).

Subs used: Caoimhe Maher (Burgess Duharra) for Guinan (HT); Eimear Heffernan (Knockavilla Kickhams) for O’Dwyer (39); Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields) for Ralph (52); Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch) for Howard (55); Jean Kelly (Éire Óg Annacarty) for McGrath (60).

Cork: Amy Lee; Meabh Murphy, Libby Coppinger, Maebh Cahalane; Izzy O’Regan, Laura Hayes, Ava Fitzgerald; Millie Condon,  Orlaith Cremin; Emma Murphy, Orlaith Cahalane, Saoirse McCarthy; Hayley Ryan, Sorcha McCartan, Ava McAuliffe.

Subs used: Niamh McNabola for E Murphy (22); Keva McCarthy for Cremin (44); Cliona O’Callaghan for McAuliffe (51); Rachel Harty for Ryan (56).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)

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