Tipperary camogie claim deserved Munster success with brilliant win over Déise
Tipperary were crowned Munster Camogie champions on Sunday
Munster Senior Camogie Championship Final
Tipperary 1-14
Waterford 0-14
By Michael Dundon
A goal by Thurles Leaving Cert student Caoimhe Stakelum after forty-one minutes sent Tipperary on the way to victory over Waterford in a keenly contested Munster senior camogie final at Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday.
Up to that point, while Tipp had made the running, they were unable to put daylight between themselves and the Waterford ladies, but Stakelum’s goal, which opened a five-point gap (1-10 to 0-8), tipped the scales firmly in the home county’s favour and, bravely though Waterford tried, they were unable to rein them in during the closing quarter.
The victory was thoroughly deserved by the Tipp girls. They have found Waterford difficult opponents in recent years, but a win over them in the league, followed by this success, has the Blue and Gold brigade well primed for their next encounter with the Déise in the All-Ireland championship in a few weeks’ time.
Tipp last held this title in 2023 and getting provincial silverware will boost confidence considerably, but it didn’t come easily and, when Tipp reached the break with a slender 0-8 to 0-6 lead after playing with the breeze, the ball certainly looked to be in Waterford’s court.
However, a really gutsy second-half showing by the Tipp girls never allowed Waterford to get into stride, and with Eimear McGrath deadly accurate off frees from all angles and distances, they saw off the Waterford challenge, albeit with some difficulty.
Tipp’s tenacity in the tackle and their high work-rate were evident from the start. Five times the sides were level in the period, Grace O’Brien and Eimear McGrath points cancelling out a pair of early Waterford scores. Karin Blair put Tipp ahead after seven minutes, but a pair of Niamh Rockett points nudged the Déise clear at the quarter mark (0-4 to 0-3).
And so it went on. Eimear Heffernan levelled for Tipp before Caoimh McCarthy pointed them ahead. Waterford hit back for two points, and the lead before Eimear McGrath finished the half with three pointed frees for an interval lead of 0-8 to 0-6 for Tipp.
Anybody’s game at half-time, with wind advantage to come in the second half, Waterford looked better placed to succeed. Tipp’s determination was critical at this stage and they had the first two scores of the half from Caoimhe Stakelum and Eimear McGrath, but by the fortieth minute Waterford had countered them.
Then came the decisive score when Caoimhe Stakelum won possession at the left corner of the Killinan End, used her strength to stave off a couple of attempted tackles, and finished confidently to the net for a 1-10 to 0-8 lead for Tipp.
Advantage Tipp, but Waterford were not done by any means. A brace of points had them hot on Tipperary’s heels but the locals were equal to the challenge, Karin Blair, Eimear McGrath and Eimear Heffernan raising white flags for a 1-13 to 0-11 lead with five minutes to play.
Waterford kept coming and outscored Tipp three to one in a tense finish, Eimear McGrath’s free was the Tipp score. In a hectic climax, as Waterford chased a levelling goal, they twice had close-in frees and went for goal, but the Tipp defence was equal to the challenge and kept them at bay to secure a prized Munster crown.
It was a big win for Tipp which sets them up nicely for the All-Ireland campaign in which they again meet Waterford. Several top-drawer performances headlined the success. Eimear McGrath’s free-taking is a huge asset; likewise, Caoimhe Stakelum’s opportunism.
Karin Blair, Mairead Eviston, who kept Waterford star Niamh Rockett on a tight rein, Karen Kennedy, Eimear Heffernan, Grace O’Brien and Eimear Loughman all had big games, but the entire team effort was commendable, with those introduced in the second half also contributing to the overall success.
Waterford have some time to regroup before they encounter Tipp again and will once more be formidable opponents. They were guilty of some lapses in shooting which cost them and which they need to address. Their key players were Abby Flynn, Beth Carton, Mairead O’Brien, Kelley Corbett-Barry, Laoise Forrest and Vikki Falconer.
Scorers: Tipperary: Eimear McGrath 0-8f; Caoimhe Stakelum 1-1, Eimear Heffernan, Karin Blair 0-2 each, Caoimhe McCarthy 0-1.
Waterford: Abbie Flynn, Beth Carton 0-4 each, Niamh Rockett 0-2, Eimear O’Neill, Roisin Kirwan, Alannah O’Sullivan, Orla Hickey all 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), Caoimhe Maher (Burgess Duharra), Caoimhe McCarthy (Knockavilla Kickhams); Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Kate Ralph (Moycarkey Borris); Eimear Heffernan (Knockavilla Kickhams), Roisin Howard (Cahir), Clodagh McIntyre (Lorrha); Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Eimear McGrath (Drom & Inch), Grace O’Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg).
Subs used: Casey Hennessy (Clonoulty Rossmore) for Ralph (35); Sarah Corcoran (Moycarkey Borris) for Howard (48); Jean Kelly (Éire Óg Annacarty) for McIntyre (49); Celine Guinan (Shannon Rovers) for McCarthy (53); Aoife O’Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields) for Blair (59).
Waterford: Brionna O’Regan; Alannah McNulty, Clodagh Carroll, Rachael Walsh; Vikki Falconner, Keeley Corbett-Barry, Laoise Forrest; Lorraine Bray, Orla Hickey; Alannah O’Sullivan, Beth Carton, Abby Flynn; Eimear O’Neill, Niamh Rockett, Annie Fitzgerald.
Subs used: Mairead O’Brien for O’Sullivan (41); Roisin Kirwan for Rockett (43); Bevin Bowdren for Hickey (44); Maggi Gosti for Walsh (53).
Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clare)