Tesco All-Ireland Minor A semi-final

Tipperary 0-9

Cork 1-7

A fine individual score from distance into the breeze after a storming run from centre back Aoife Healy gave victory to Cork after an enthralling 60 minutes of camogie in the Tesco Minor A All-Ireland semi-final. It was heartbreak for Tipperary at the final whistle who dominated possession for large portions of the game but couldn’t make it count where it matters on the scoreboard despite some great play. As injury time approached it looked that extra time maybe on the cards as the sides were deadlocked but a moment of sheer determination from Healy to put her team in front and some brave defending which followed meant Cork will now look ahead to a final this Sunday against Galway.

Tipperary started with the advantage of the wind and led 2 points to no score after 5 minutes thanks to points from Anna Fahie and Orla O’Brien. Cork responded on the 8^th minute with a Orlaith Mullins point from the wing while Ana Fahy levelled proceedings midway through the opening half. A minute later Moycarkey Borris’s Kate Ralph had Tipp back in front with a well taken point but disaster struck when Cork’s Orlaith Cahalane found the back of the net. This was to be Cork’s last score of the opening half as Tipp went on to dominate possession which resulted in 3 unanswered points, 2 Celine Guinan frees either side of an Anna Fahie point.  With Lorna Ryan, Abbie Lenihan and Emma Horgan on top in the half back line Cork struggled to create scoring chances. Orla O’Brien continued her excellent form in midfield alongside the hard working Kate Ferncombe resulting in lots of attacking opportunities for the Michael Ferncombe managed outfit. Unfortunately a string of wides throughout the half meant that despite all the good play they only held the narrowest of leads at the interval 6 points to 1-2.

Cork raced back into the lead after the restart with an early Orlaith Cahalane free followed by a Ciara Morrison point. Celine Guinan and Orlaith Cahalane traded points from frees as both sides served up a highly entertaining contest. Aoife Dywer had the sides level again on the 41^st minute. Five minutes later they were back in front when Celine Guinan pointed her 4^th free of the game. Orlaith Cahalane tied the game up again on the 51^st minute and for almost 10 minutes despite chances on both ends including an Anna Fahie shot coming of the post neither team could conjure up a score until Aoife Healy’s match winner on the 60^th minute. Tipperary fought to the bitter end and had opportunities late on to level it but with Cork back defending in numbers the Tipp attack couldn’t get a free shot off. In the end the premier side ran out of time resulting in heart-breaking defeat.

Tipperary: Kacey Meehan, Lilly Fahie, Niamh Franks, Shauna Heffernan (Annacarty), Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore), Abbie Lenihan (Newport Ballinahinch), Emma Horgan (Boherlahan Dualla), Kate Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore), Orla O'Brien (Annacarty), Aoife Dwyer, Grace Moloney, Niamh Costigan, Kate Ralph (Moycarkey-Borris), Celine Guinan, Anna Fahie

Subs: Lisa O’Connor for Celine Guinan (56min)