The Camogie Zone

A huge development for Tipperary Camogie and St Josephs’s College Borisoleigh

Last Friday news broke that St Josephs’s College Borrisoleigh had been granted €246,000 in Sports Capital Grant funding. The grant application in partnership with Tipperary Camogie is for the development of a floodlit Astroturf pitch (80m X 30m), a 60m wall ball, a full gym and upgrading of the current changing facilities. The new facilities will be used by the school for PE classes and sports training while Tipperary Camogie will have shared access of the facilities to allow them to develop their own Centre of Excellence. The partnership with St Joseph’s is a major step forward for camogie in the county and the Borrisioleigh school are proud to play their part in supporting women in sport and helping to develop and grow camogie in the county. Located just 4 kms from the County Camogie Grounds in the Ragg, the new facilities is the perfect location for Tipperary Camogie’s Centre of Excellence. The floodlit astroturf pitch and ball wall will provide the ideal winter training facilities for Tipperary camogie teams from U14 to senior. The current indoor hall, along with the upgraded changing facilities and fully equipped gym will enable teams to maximise their strength and conditioning training.

Camogie membership in Tipperary is continuing to grow. This exciting partnership with St Joseph’s College along with the recent upgrade to the County Grounds adds to the continuous development and improvements of facilities for our county teams and development squads. The Borrisoleigh school has a long history of camogie with many players who went on to wear the blue and gold with distinction having gone through their doors. The last player to captain Tipperary to senior All-Ireland success Joanne Ryan is a past pupil as is recently named joint captain of the Tipperary senior team Julieanne Bourke. Her co-captain Grace O’Brien is a current teacher in the school as is former pupil and current senior player Nicole Walsh. Both Nicole and Grace recently coached the senior school team to success as the school captured the Intermediate Munster final. Current county minor player Aoife Dwyer of Thurles Sarsfields is also a present student in the school. The partnership with Tipperary camogie highlights even further the positive role the school has played and continues to play in the promotion and development of camogie throughout the county.

The ambitious project is a huge statement of intent by Tipperary camogie to progress the training facilities and development of their players. The unique partnership is a brilliant fit for all parties and huge credit goes to the school representatives and camogie board officials who brought this application to fruition. It is hoped that work on this exciting project can begin shortly meaning that before long both the school population and Tipperary camogie can enjoy top class sporting and training facilities. The project will enhance teams including the Tipperary senior team’s training and preparation which will no doubt lead to further success on the playing pitch and hopefully before long this can lead to a return of the O’Duffy cup to the premier county.

Tesco Minor A All-Ireland Championship – Round 2

Tipperary 2-18

Wexford   0-06

A confident and compelling performance from start to finish saw Tipperary run out comfortable winners against Wexford in the County Camogie Grounds the Ragg in round 2 of the Tesco Minor A All-Ireland championship. Manager Michael Ferncombe while been acutely aware that tougher tests lay in store can be very pleased with the start of their championship campaign with 2 wins on the trot that guarantees them a place in the knockout stages of the competition. Next up is a trip to Belfast to face Antrim in the final group game in 2 weeks time. Despite playing against the wind Tipperary raced into an early lead with 4 unanswered points before Wexford responded with two points of their own. A serious leg injury to Wexford full-back Niamh O’Rourke meant that play was stopped for a considerable length of time in the first half. When it resumed Tipperary kept their focus and continued to penetrate the Wexford defence with Niamh Costigan , Kate Fercombe and Orla O’Brien constantly running at the Weford rearguard while Celine Guinan, Grace Moloney and Anna Fahie were all on hand to finish off the moves. At half time Tipperary led 10 points to 4 with the momentum well and truly in their favour. Wexford began the second half with a quick point but any signs of a serious comeback were quickly diminished as Tipperary gained a foothold once again on proceedings and with the wind advantage started to turn the screw. When Wexford did break forward Robyn O’Connor, Sadbh Buttle and Sarah Doyle all looked threatening. Tipperary’s defence however remained solid throughout with Abbie Lenihan, Lilly Fahie and Emma Horgan to the fore limiting Wexford to just 2 second half points. After 50 minutes Tipperary led 15 points to 6 with Grace Moloney showing her ability with more top class shooting while Lisa O’Connor was again very accurate on frees. Minutes later disaster struck for Wexford when a Celine Guinan 45m sailed all the way to the back of the net. Moments later a short puckout by Wexford was seized on by the lively Cora Heffernan who took her opportunity to race towards goal and bury the ball pass the keeper. Tipperary continued to apply the pressure and finished strong with further points from Orla O’Brien and Kate Ralph to run out convincing winners 2-18 to 6 points.

Tipperary: Kacey Meehan (Brian Borus), Lillie Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs), Niamh Franks (Shannon Rovers), Shauna Heffernan (Annacarty), Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore), Abbie Lenihan (Newport Ballinahinch), Emma Horgan (Boherlahan Dualla), Kate Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore), Orla O'Brien (0-2) (Annacarty), Aoife Dwyer (0-1)(Thurles Sarsfields), Grace Moloney(0-4) (Cashel King Cormacs), Niamh Costigan (Cahir), Lisa O’Connor (0-5) (Boherlahan Dualla), Celine Guinan(1-3) (1-0 45m) (Shannon Rovers)Anna Fahie (0-2) (Cashel King Cormacs)

Subs used: Kate Ralph (0-1), Cora Heffernan (1-0) Eimear Fogarty, Maebh Ryan

Schools Update 

All-Ireland Junior A semi-final

Ursuline College Thurles 2-10

St Patrick’s College Maghera 1-11

Ursuline College Thurles have qualified for the Junior A (under 16 and a half) All-Ireland final after a hard earn win over St Patrick’s College Maghera. The team made the long journey to Derry on Friday afternoon for a 12pm match on Saturday. The match was delayed by over 3 quarters of an hour after the referee failed to show up having gone to a different venue. A local referee was contacted to take charge and eventually the game was able to get underway. St Patrick’s started the brighter and raced into an early 4 points to 1 lead. Caoimhe Stakelum then goaled to settle the Thurles school while a second goal from Maria Ralph gave them a half time lead of 2-07 to 8  points. The second half was another hugely competitive affair as both sides looked to book their spot in the All-Ireland final. On the 36th minute St Patrick’s College goaled leaving 3 points between the sides 2-8 to 1-8. Both sides exchanged further scorers with Lucy Purcell scoring a crucial point to help keep Ursuline in front. With minutes remaining St Patrick’s College reduced the Tipperary schools lead to just 2 points 2-10 to 1-11. Ursuline gave an unbelievable performane of determination and workrate to hold on for a deserved victory and a place in the All-Ireland final on March 5^th against Loreto Kilkenny. Operating at centre forward Clonoulty Rossmore’s Aoife Bourke got two crucial points in the first half while Sarah Corcoran finished with two pointed frees. Overall it was an excellent team performance and the travelling supporters were treated to a highly entertaining and competitive game.

Ursuline College Thurles: Orla Ryan, Miah Bourke, Alison Fitzgerald, Rachel Phelan, Kate Marnane, Aoife Kavanagh, Paula Quirke, Sarah Corcoran (0-2, 2frees), Kate Ferncombe (0-2), Maria Ralph (1-2), Aoife Bourke(0-2), Lucy Purcell (0-1), Andrea Quirke, Dervla Naughton, Caoimhe Stakelum (1-1).  

All-Ireland Junior B semi-final

Presentation College Thurles 1-14

Banagher College 0-5

A brilliant overall team performance by Presentation College Thurles saw them qualify for the All-Ireland Junior B final after a 1-14 to 5 point win against Banagher College on Saturday. Banagher College were the first to get on the scoreboard and led 3 points to 1 after 19 minutes. By the 23^rd minute the sides were level 3 points apiece when Anna O’Brien struck for the only goal of the game to put the Thurles school into a lead that they wouldn’t lose. At  half time they enjoyed a 4 point lead 1-4 to 3 points. The Presentation College half-backline of Caitlin Shelly, Eva Ralph and Sophie Maher were very strong and gave a great platform for the forward line while full-back Una Duggan also had a great game. In the second half Presentation used the ball brilliantly and producing some top class passages of play resulted in scores on the board. Moycarkey-Borris’s Kate Ralph really stood out with 3 points from play while corner forward Lucy Callanan showed lots of pace and skill and also scored some brilliant points. Grace Flanagan made a serious impact when introduced immediately splitting the posts and setting up further scores helping Presentation to run out convincing winners on a final scoreline of 1-14 to 0-5. They now face St Bridget’s Callan (Kilkenny) in the All-Ireland final on March 5^th.

Presentation College Thurles: Molly O’Dwyer (Moycarkey-Borris), Sophie Lee (Holycross-Ballycahill), Una Duggan (St Anne’s), Kate O’Keefe(Moycarkey-Borris), Caitlin Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris), Sophie Maher (Clonoulty Rossmore) Eva Ralph (Moycarkey-Borris), Ciara Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris), Emer Dwan (Cashel King Cormacs), Danielle Butler (Annacarty), Kate Ralph (Moycarkey-Borris), Amy Reddan (Gortnahoe), Anna O’Brien (Cashel King Cormacs), Rachel Ralph (Moycarkey-Borris) Lucy Callanan (Moycarkey-Borris)

Cashel Community School are this week preparing for their Senior All-Ireland final. Having defeated Cross & Passion Ballycastle of Antrim on a score line of 9 points to 8 in the semi-final Cashel will now face Presenation Athenry in the All-Ireland Senior A final. The Galway School and Loreto Kilkenny couldn’t be separated after full-time or extra time and amazingly won their semi-final on sudden death 45ms. The final is fixed for this Saturday 19^th February in Kinnegad GAA @1.30pm. Colasite Phobal Roscrea also had a narrow win in their semi-final beating St Killian’s College, Garron Tower of Antrim 1-7 to 9 points. Their final will now take place on Wednesday 2nd March in Banagher at 12 noon where they will meet St Killian’s College New Inn of Galway in the All-Ireland Senior C final. The Galway school recorded a 2-5 to 2 point win in their semi-final against Colasite Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac, Offaly. It’s a fantastic achievement to have two Tipperary schools competing in upcoming Senior All-Ireland finals and we wish them the very best of luck. 

Littlewoods Ireland National League

Tipperary will look to continue their winning start to the division 1 league when they travel to take on Offaly on Saturday. The game takes place in Shamrocks GAA Mucklagh @ 2pm. Having had an impressive victory over Down in the opening round Bill Mullaney will be hoping his side can make it two wins from two and pick up all 3 points on offer. Tipperary met Offaly twice last year in both the league and championship with the premier side having the upper hand on both occasions. In their opening round win to Down Tipperary were without many of their regulars allowing the management team to give game time to new members of the panel. Claire Hogan impressed on her senior debut while Casey Hennessey, Karin Blair and Sarah Delaney were also standout performers.