Tipperary 3-10

Clare 0-4

Tipperary had an emphatic victory over Clare in round 1 of the Munster U 16 A championship to qualify for a place in the Munster semi-final. Clare had the aid of a very strong wind in the County Camogie Grounds on Saturday afternoon but it was Tipperary that led at the break 1-1 to 2 points thanks to a rasper of a goal by Caoimhe Stakelum after 12 minutes. Sophie Maher had opened the home teams account with a point from midfield before Evie Scanlon (Clare’s only scorer on the day) equalised. An attack on the 20^th minute led to a Clare penalty which was brilliantly saved by Danielle Butler in the goals. A second Evie Scanlon free on the 24^th minute completed the scoring in a low scoring opening half. 

In the second half centre back Sarah Corcoran gave an exhibition of free taking brilliantly executing 5 in total and 1 45m. With the wind at her back she stepped  up in the opening few wins to score 3 frees in a row. A Danielle Ryan point was followed by a Ciara O’Hora goal in a blistering start to the second half by Tipp that put the result beyond doubt as they now held a 9 point lead 2-5 to 2 points. The Clare puck out struggled to get out passed their own half backline against a very strong wind meaning the Tipp attack was relentless. Hannah Butler and Sarah Corcoran both pointed before Ciara Shelly had 1-1 in quick succession to make it 3-9 to 3 with 10 minutes to go. Evie Scanlon had her second point of the half from a free while Sarah Corcoran finished the scoring for Tipp. Job done for Tipp and they now look forward to a Munster semi-final on the 24^th April. Credit to Clare they never gave up battling right to the end. They also had plenty of possession in the opening half and produced some good passages of play but were guilty of some poor wides which gave Tipp the advantage. 

Tipperary: Danielle Butler, Lucy Purcell, Aine Finn, Eabha Dolan, Paula Quirke, Sarah Corcoran(0-6, 5 frees, 1 45m), Alison Fitzgerald, Sophie Maher (0-1), Danielle Ryan(0-1), Ciara Shelly(1-1), Hannah Butler(0-1), Caoimhe Stakelum(1-0), Emer Dwan, Ciara O’Hora(1-0), Ali O’Kelly

Subs used: Caitlin Shelly, Robbyn Fitzgerald, Clodagh Ryan, Ava Bevans, Hazel Ryan, Ciara Gleeson, Iris Grace