Littlewoods Ireland Division 1 League

Tipperary 4-21

Offaly   1-05

It was all too easy for Tipperary on Saturday as they ran out comfortable winners against an Offaly side without their St Rynagh’s contingent that couldn’t cope with Tipp’s lightening start and explosive pace up front. Roisin Howard opened the score with 2 points in the opening 2 minutes before Caoimhe McCarthy fired home the first of Tipperary’s 4 first half goals. Two Clodagh McIntyre points either side of a Claire Hogan goal extended Tipperary’s lead. With only 10 minutes on the clock the result already looked beyond doubt with Tipperary well in front 3-5 to 0-1. Bill Mullaney’s side had 3 more unanswered points from Roisin Howard (2) and Grace O’Brien before a good move by Offaly resulted in an Orla Gorman goal. Offaly badly needed further scores but could only manage one more point in the opening half while Tipp continued to dominate and added further points from Caoimhe McCarthy, Clodagh McIntyre, Jenny Grace, Claire Hogan and Eimear Heffernan before Jenny Grace goaled on the 31^st minute. Roisin Howard completed an impressive first half scoring tally by the premier side leaving the half time score 4-15 to 1-02.

Tipp made 3 half time substitutions with Casey Hennessey, Ciara Brennan and Ciardha Maher all introduced and before long Casey and Ciara both had points on the board. Tipp were less dominant in the second half while Offaly were much improved. Chief scorer Mairead Teehan had 3 second half points. Grace O’Brien was industrious throughout the hour and also had a second half point while Cait Devane introduced in the second half finished with 3 points. Julieanne Bourke, Courtney Ryan and Sarah Delaney were excellent in defence getting on a huge amount of ball adding to Offaly’s woes. Aine Slattery pulled off a great penalty save in the second half while Tipperary also missed a penalty of their own when Jenny Grace was denied. Bill Mullaney will certainly be pleased with his team’s link up play with Caoimhe Maher, Grace O’Brien and Rosin Howard to the fore. While Claire Hogan, Caoimhe McCarthy and Clodagh McIntyre caused havoc for their markers. At the final whistle Tipperary had a 25 point winning margin and it was a case of job done and full points in the bag. Tougher tests are sure to come but lots to please management and supporters from the opening two games. A final word of thanks to the Galtee Rovers GAA club who stepped in at short notice and had their pitch in Bansha in great condition after Shamrocks GAA fell foul to the recent spell of heavy rain. Next up for Tipperary is a home game against Dublin on March 12^th.

Tipperary: Aine Slattery, Julieanne Bourke, Sorcha Ryan, Sarah Delaney, Gemma Fox, Courtney Ryan, Karin Blair, Grace O’Brien (0-2), Caoimhe Maher, Caoimhe McCarthy (1-2), Roisin Howard (0-5), Jenny Grace(1-1), Clodagh McIntyre (1-3), Claire Hogan(1-2), Eimear Heffernan (0-1). Subs used: Casey Hennessey (0-1), Ciara Brennan (0-1), Ciardha Maher, Cait Devane (0-3), Emer Loughman, Laura Shinners, Mary Ryan.

Littlewoods Ireland Division 2 League

Tipperary’s division 2 team are back in action when they host Westmeath in the County Camogie Grounds on Saturday @ 2pm. Ray Delaney’s side will be hoping for a victory after their opening round defeat to Kilkenny. Westmeath will also be keen for a much improved performance and a result against Tipperary after suffering  a heavy defeat in their round 1 clash with Waterford which finished 14 points to 4. Both Tipperary and Westmeath will have had 3 weeks of training and preparation in between so a keenly contested match is expected.

Tesco Minor A All-Ireland Championship

Tipperary travel to Antrim this weekend to take on the homeside in round 3 of the Tesco Minor A All-Ireland championship. With two wins under their belt against Limerick and Wexford Tipperary will be firm favourites going into this game. The match takes place on Sunday @ 2pm in University Ulster Jordanstown.

Tesco Post-Primary Schools Update

Cashel Community School’s Senior A final was postponed last weekend due to the weather and the pitch being unplayable. No re-fixture has been confirmed yet. Colasite Phobal Roscrea will play St Killian’s College New Inn, Galway on Wednesday March 2^nd at 2 pm in Banagher.