Division 2B League Final

Cork 0-13

Tipperary 0-10

Cork are the 2024 Very Division 2 B Champions having retained the National League title with a deserved three point win over Tipperary. In a game that never really flowed due to the windy conditions and high free content player of the match Lauren Homan was flawless on frees to steer her side to victory. Tipperary had the aid of the wind in the first half but it was Cork who looked the most dangerous in attack early on and only for two excellent saves from Laura Leenane Tipp could have been in real trouble. Jill Anne Quirke got Bill Mullaney’s side of the mark with a well taken point from play. Jenny Grace scored her first of 6 frees of the day moments later to give Tipp a 2 point lead. However two Lauren Homan frees soon had the sides level before a Lucy Allen point gave Cork the lead. Jenny Grace showed her class with two long range frees before Emma Flanagan who was a threat throughout pointed to put Tipperary 2 in front. Homan and Allen had the sides level again but a point on the stroke of half time from Jill Anne Quirke gave Tipperary a one point advantage heading to the dressing rooms 7 points to 6. 

Jenny Grace got the opening score of the second half but with the wind now in their favour Cork began to get on top all over the field and by the 35th minute they had gone in front with scores from Fiona Nelligan, Emma Flanagan and Lauren Homan. Another Homan free made it 10 points to 8 for the rebels and the danger for Tipp was that they could really pull away. Credit to Tipp though they upped the workrate and intensity and some good defending from Tara Hoare, Maria Connolly and another fine save from Leenane meant Cork could never pull clear. At the other end Sinead Meagher, Ciara Brennan, Emma Flnagan and Jenny Grace continued in search of scores. With only 2 minutes of normal time remaining Grace pointed a free to leave just 2 between the sides. The Cork defence continued to stand firm however and a final Homan free sealed a 3 point win. 

It was disappointment for Tipperary and they will regret a sluggish start when playing with a strong win. But to reach a league final in a division of all Intermediate teams and to be within 3 points of Cork certainly bodes well for having a tilt at the Junior championship this summer.

SCORERS FOR CORK: L Homan 0-9(8fs); L Allen 0-2; E Flanagan, F Nelligan 0-1

SCORERS FOR TIPPERARY: J Grace 0-7(6fs); J Quirke 0-2; E Flanagan 0-1

CORK: C Hurley, M de Búrca, N O’Leary, A Barrett, L Doyle, O McAllen, M Ring, E Sheehan, M Condon, C O’Sullivan, L Allen, F Nelligan, H O’Leary, E Flanagan, L Homan. Subs: C Dooley for O’Sullivan (40), A Cashman for Condon (45), E O’Donoghue for Sheehan (53)

TIPPERARY: L Leenane, L Ryan, M Murphy, T Hoare, L Shinners, G Fox, L Fahie, O O’Brien, C Brennan, A Quinlisk, J Grace, J Quirke, A Fahie, S Meagher, E Flanagan. Subs: M Connolly for Shinnors (26), C Shanahan for Quinlisk (50)

REFEREE: Max Molloy (Wicklow)