Littlewoods Ireland Division 2 League

Tipperary   1-09

Westmeath 0-12

It was a case of mixed feelings for Tipperary at the final whistle in Rathdowney. On one hand having snatched a draw in the dying minutes against a Westmeath side who led for the majority of the match was a very good result. However on the other hand, it was a game that could have been won with some crucial scoring chances missed as well as claims for a late free that wasn’t given. The Tipp side certainly finished the strongest of the two teams limiting Westmeath to just two second half points and finishing the game with a trio of scores that put them in the driving seat for victory. The final attack failed to yield a score when Ciara McKeogh looked to be fouled before referee John McDonagh sounded the final whistle.

Top scorer Aoife McLoughney got the games first score with a well taken free. Westmeath responded through a Maria Kelly point and soon took the lead when the industrious Sheila McGrath pointed. Playing with the aid of a strong wind Westmeath suffered a big setback when Ciara Cummins chased a long delivery into the square and flicked the ball passed Fiona Keating in the Westmeath goal. Westmeath then hit a purple patch with a brace of points as their attack started to open the Tipp defence. Maria Kelly, Sheila McGrath and Louise O’Connor all raising white flags to give them a half time lead of 10 points to 1-2. Tipperary finished the half well with Ciara McKeogh and Caroline Browne winning plenty of possession in the middle of the field. They should have had further scores on the board but a couple of shots went agonisingly wide or dropped short while a great goal chance by Emily Morrissey hit the side netting.

Playing with the wind in the second half the premier side started to really grow in confidence with the half backline of Amy Crosse, Emma Carey and Aisling Sheedy excelling. Tipperary began to cut into the Westmeath lead with scores from the always threatening McLoughney and Annacarty’s Leah Heffernan. Sheila McGrath got her 4^th point of the game on the 47^th minute to keep 3 points between the sides. An Aoife McLoughney 45m was followed by an Emma Broughan point for Westmeath as the intensity of the game lifted and supporters were treated to an exciting finish. With 54 minutes gone and 3 between the sides Tipperary drove at the Westmeath defence in search of more scores. The workrate of the forward line was excellent as they turned over ball getting in lots of hooks and blocks resulting in 3 unanswered points from Aoife McLoughney (2) and Caroline Browne (1) to level proceedings. In the end the draw was the fairest result between two sides eager to get their first win of the campaign after first round losses. Next up for Tipp is a final group game against Waterford at home on the 12^th March.

Scorers – Westmeath: Sheila McGrath 0-4, M Kelly and A Shaw (1f) 0-2 each, M Dowdall (free), O Glynn, L O’Connor and E Broughan 0-1 each. Tipperary: A McLoughney 0-7 (4f, 1 ’45’), C Cummins 1-0, L Heffernan and C Browne 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Darian Corcoran, Emily McCabe, Aisling Egerton; Dearbhail McLoughlin, Megan Dowdall, Caitríona O’Brien; Áine Newman, Sheila McGrath; Louise O’Connor, Maria Kelly, Holly Dowdall; Emma Broughan, Amelia Shaw, Olivia Glynn. Subs used: Denise McGrath for Glynn, Karen Gaffney for H Dowdall, Sandra McGrath for M Dowdall (inj.).

Tipperary: Aoife Butler; Aoife Butler, Rachel Maher, Aoibheann Ward; Amy Crosse, Emma Carey, Aisling Sheedy; Ciara McKeogh, Caroline Browne; Ciara Cummins, Clodagh Horgan, Aoife McLoughney; Leah Heffernan, Rachel O’Dwyer, Emily Morrissey. Sub used: Saoirse McGrath for Morrissey.

Tesco Minor A All-Ireland Championship

Tipperary 2-12

Antrim 0-10

Tipperary didn’t have it all their own way against Antrim but a goal in either half meant they always looked in control and finished the group with 3 wins from 3 to qualify for the knockout stages. Kate Ralph opened the scoring with a point from play while Celine Guinan had Tipperary’s second point from a 45m. A goal from Celine Guinan gave Tipp a 3 point lead after 15 minutes 1-2 to 2 points. Orla O’Brien was excellent throughout and had 3 points along with scores from Grace Moloney, Emma Darcy and Celine Guinan as Tipperary outscored the home team 6 points to 1 to enjoy a half time lead of 8 points 1-8 to 3. Abbie Lenihan, Chloe Coleman and Maebh Ryan were excellent in defence while in attack Grace Moloney and Kate Ralph continuously ran at the Antrim rear-guard causing all sorts of problems while Celine Guinan was a constant threat at full-forward. The Antrim work rate and attitude was excellent though and Tipperary were really made to earn every score.

Antrim came out in the second half determined to make the wind advantage count on the scoreboard and quickly had 3 points in succession. Tipperary responded well with some excellent free taking from Celine Guinan along with points from Kate Ferncombe and Aoife Dwyer. Manager Michael Ferncombe showed the strength and depth of his panel with all 5 second half substitutions making a contribution. Antrim had Tipp under pressure at times in particular in the third quarter but Tipp settled again taking control in the final 15 minutes and finishing the stronger of the two teams. Half time substitute Aoife Dwyer made a further impact with Tipperary’s second goal to ensure the premier side ran out 2-12 to 10 point winners.

Tipperary: Molly O’Dwyer, Ella O’Dwyer, Niamh Franks, Maebh Ryan, Chloe Coleman, Abbie Lenihan, Eimear Fogarty, Emma O’Sullivan, Orla O’Brien(0-3), Emma Darcy(0-1), Grace Moloney(0-1), Kate Ralph(0-1), Cora Heffernan, Celine Guinan(1-4, 2 frees,1 45m), Jennifer Heffernan. Subs used: Niamh Costigan for Cora Heffernan, Aoife Dwyer (1-1) for Jennifer Heffernan, Lorna Ryan for Ella O’Dwyer, Kate Ferncombe (0-1) for Emma O’Sullivan, Anna Fahie for Emma Darcy

4 Tipperary Schools in All-Ireland Finals

Four Tipperary schools are continuing to prepare for a chance at All-Ireland honours with 3 schools in action this week.

Tesco All-Ireland Senior C Final

First up is Colaiste Pobal Roscrea who will be hoping to finish their great year on a high when their senior team take on St Killian’s New Inn (Galway) in the final. The match takes place today Wednesday 2^nd March in Banagher @ 12pm.

Tesco All-Ireland Senior A Final

Having previously been postponed due to the weather, Cashel Community School will finally get to play their Senior All-Ireland final this Saturday March 5^th @ 2pm in Banagher. The Munster champions face Presnetation College Athenry in the eagerly awaited final. Having overcome Coachford College in the Munster final by 3 points the team were again put to the pin of their collar in the All-Ireland semi final by Cross & Passion Antrim but rose to the challenge winning by a single point 9 points to 8.

Tesco All-Ireland Junior A Final

Also this Saturday Ursuline College Thurles have a chance to add an All-Ireland title to the Munster title previously won in the Tesco Junior A (U16.5) final. Standing in their way is Leinster champions Loreto Kilkenny. The match throws in at 1pm in Fenians GAA Johnstown. 

Tesco All-Ireland Junior B Final

Presentation Thurles were due to play their Junior B final this Saturday but it has since been re-fixed for 17^th March in Callan @ 2pm against St Bridget’s Callan.