VERY National Division 2B League

Tipperary 0-09

Cork 1-10

A much-changed Tipperary Junior team from the one that lost to Clare in the All-Ireland final last August took to the field on Saturday to take on Cork in the opening round of the VERY National division 2b league. Playing with the aid of a strong wind Cork raced into an early lead with the opening 5 points of the game to put them 5 points clear after 15 minutes. Cliona Dooley got the first score after 2 minutes followed by a Lauren Homan free before the influential Hannah O’Leary hit 3 in a row from open play. It wasn’t all one-way traffic as Tipperary also had plenty of possession with Ciara Brennan and Gemma Fox in particularl starting brightly. Having wasted some scoring chances Tipp eventually got off the mark with a well taken point from Eire Og Annacarty’s Eva O’Dwyer on the 21st minute. Jenny Grace and Niamh O’Regan swapped points before Homan converted a free to leave Cork 0-7 to 0-2 in front at the break.

The crucial score of the game came just 32 seconds after the restart. A lack of concentration on Tipp’s behalf allowed Laura Doyle to make a surging run from her half backline and off load to Lauren Homan who finished to the net. It was a disastrous start to the second half for the homeside but they responded brilliantly to the setback showing great character and workrate to work themselves right back into the game. Jenny Grace hit the next four points in succession from frees and play to reduce Cork’s lead to 1-07 to 6 after 40 minutes. 

With the wind in their favour and the home crowd behind them Tipperary impressed throughout the second half. Sinead Meagher cancelled out a Cliona Dooley point before Lauren Homan and Ciara Brennan traded scores. By now the bench was really beginning to make an impact with Jill Ann Quirke, Anna Fahie and Lorna Ryan adding great energy to Bill Mullaney’s side. With 60 minutes played only a single score separated the sides as Tipperary went in search of a goal to level proceedings. Sinead Meagher came close with a bullet of a shot but Molly Lynch pulled off an excellent save to deny the Kiladangan player. Lauren Homan who captained the Cork side and was probably the difference between the 2 teams finished with a pointed free to seal a 1-10 to 9 point victory for the visitors. Next up for Tipperary is a trip to Clare this Saturday. 

Scorers for Tipperary: J Grace 0-6 (0-4 f), C Brennan, S Maher, E O'Dwyer 0-1 each.

Cork: L Homan 1-4 (0-4 f), H O'Leary 0-3, C Dooley 0-2, N O'Regan 0-1.

TIPPERARY: A O'Brien; E Carey, M Murphy, C Ryan; E Kelly, G Fox, S Pembroke; H Brennan, C Shanahan; J Grace, S Meagher, C Brennan; A Quinlisk, L Leenane, E O'Dwyer.

Subs: A Fahie for H Brennan (h-t), JA Quirke for E O'Dwyer (h-t), L Fahie for L Leenane (46), L Ryan for E Kelly (52), E Fogarty for C Shanahan (56), A Callanan for J Grace (inj 60).

CORK: M Lynch; M De Burca, N O'Leary, G Cahalane; L Doyle, C O’ Donoghue, C Ring A Cashman, E Duignan; C Morrison, L Homan, L Hallihan; C Dooley, N O'Regan, H O'Leary.

Subs: G Hannon for C Ring (26), E Flanagan for E Duignan (h-t), F Nelligan for C Morrison (h-t), K Walsh for L Hallihan (43), E O'Donoghue for N O'Regan (43), T McCarthy for A Cashman(50), A Egan for C O'Donoghue (56).

Referee: Ciaran Goff (Wicklow)

Player of the Match: Ciara Brennan