Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Semi-Final

Tipperary 2-12

Roscommon 0-08

Tipperary will be represented on All-Ireland Final day in Croke Park for the first time since 2006 after David Sullivan’s side secured a 2-12 to 0-08 point victory over Roscommon in Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA on Saturday. They now look forward to a clash with Clare in the first game of a triple header on Sunday 6th August @ 12.50pm. Roscommon’s centre forward Niamh Watson got them off the mark early with a lovely strike with just a minute on the clock. Tipperary responded with 2 in a row from the in-form Jean Kelly who struck all 5 of Tipperary’s opening points (2 frees). A Shauna Fallon free after 6 minutes saw the sides level 2 points apiece after a lively start to the game in difficult weather conditions. Another Shauna Fallon point on the 15th minute was to be Roscommon’s last score of the game as Tipp raised the intensity and dominated the second quarter. The forwards began to find their grove with Aoife Dwyer sparking into life with 2 well taken points either side of an excellent Claire Stakelum point from the wing. Moments later Tipperary almost raised a green flag when a Clodagh Horgan strike for point came off the post. Aoife McLoughney pulled on the breaking ball but her shot when just inches wide. Despite this missed goal chance Tipperary looked comfortable going in at the break with an 8 point to 3 lead. Roscommon came out after the break with a much greater intensity and some huge workrate with Orla Connolly and Rachel Fitzmaurice in particular coming more and more into the game in midfield. Ellen Cunneen pointed to make it 10 points to 4 after 39 minutes. The scores weren’t coming easy for Tipp while 2 points in a row from Watson and Fallon reduced Tipp’s lead to just 4 points and caused some anxious moments among the travelling Tipp supporters. Having gone 10 minutes without a score Jean Kelly used her pace to go on the attack and her strike for a point deceived the Roscommon keeper and dipped under the crossbar to the delight of the Tipp management. Three minutes later Jean did it again with another goal. This time there was no doubting her intentions after some fine play by Aoife Dwyer set Kelly free and she gave the keeper no chance finishing to the bottom corner. A pointed free from the player of the match Jean Kelly was cancelled out by the brilliant Watson on the 53rd minute. Ciara Brennan had a huge influence of the game with her physicality and massive work rate at centre forward and she got her just rewards for all her efforts by getting her name on the scoreboard for Tipp’s final score late in the game.  

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien, Lisa Cahill, Aisling Sheedy, Ciara Ryan, Rachel Maher, Ciannait Walsh, Ciara McKeogh, Ellen Cunneen(0-01), Katie Fitzgerald, Aoife Dwyer(0-02), Ciara Brennan(0-01), Claire Stakelum(0-01), Aoife McLoughney, Clodagh Horgan, Jean Kelly (2-07, 3 frees)

Subs used: Nessa Murray, Eimear Myles, Amy Crosse, Nessa Murray, Saoirse McGrath, Rachel O’Dwyer

Roscommon: Michaela Fallon, Shone Hanly, Marie Carty, Chloe Whyte Lennon, Sarah Dooley, Sally Bolger, Aine O’Meara, Orla Connolly, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Shauna Fallon (0-04, 3 frees), Niamh Watson (0-04), Niamh Fitzgerald, Anna Campbell, Claire Curley, Sinead Mannion.