Tipperary beat Cork to reach Munster Intermediate Final

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May 15, 2024

Munster Intermediate Semi-Final

Tipperary 1-16

Cork 1-11


Two monster frees from Laura Shinners were just 2 of the many highlights in the first  half of this highly entertaining Munster Intermediate semi-final. Played on a beautiful sunny afternoon in the County Camogie Grounds in the Ragg Tipperary had the advantage of the breeze and looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the opening quarter.  Jenny Grace pointed 2 early frees to put them into the lead before Cork’s Niamh O’Regan had the first score from play after 6 minutes. Cork were finding the Tipp attack difficult to handle and further fouls resulted in Grace points from placed balls. On the 12th minute an infringement in the square resulted in a penalty for Cork and up stepped Emily O’Donoghue who rifled the ball into the bottom left corner. Three minutes later Sinead Meagher was fouled and the ever-reliant Jenny Grace pointed to leave the score 5 points to 1-01 in favour of Tipp after 15 minutes. Another delivery into the danger area resulted in Meagher again being fouled and referee John O’Donnell awarding Tipperary with a penalty. Grace’s shot was saved by Ciara Hurley but the referee had spotted something and ordered it to be retaken. Again Hurley was up for  the task and pulled off another fine save before Jill-Anne Quirke gathered the clearance and popped the ball over the bar for a Tipperary point. Tipperary really got on top in the 2nd quarter and outscored the visitors 6 points to 2. Both Cork’s scores coming from Emily O’Donoghue frees. Laura Shinners who had been relatively quite up to now was switched out to the wing in a move that paid huge dividends as she pointed 2 excellent scores on the 23rd and 31st minute. In between full forward Sinead Meagher also had a great point while Jenny hit 2 more frees. At the half time whistle Tipperary led 12 points to 1-03. Cork upped their game in the second half and really tested the nerve and steel of the Tipperary defence. One felt if Cork were to get a few early scores they could push on while on the otherside if Tipperay could keep them at bay in the opening quarter they had enough of a lead built up to see the task through.

Eimear Duignan and Emily O’Donoghue pointed from play in response to a score from Jill-Anne Quirke before Jenny Grace hit another successful free to leave the score 14 points to 1-05 after 45 minutes. Cliona Dooley narrowed the lead to 5, minutes later with a well taken score but a minute later Sinead Meagher used all her skill and strength to catch a long range free by Jenny Grace. She turned to shoot but under pressure and being well marked she failed to get her shot off. The ball landed on the ground and Meagher whipped on it with a great ground strike to raise Tipperary’s only green flag of the game. Cork needed scores and O’Donohhue again stepped up from play and frees. Some great play from Aisling Egan set Eimear Duignan up for a point as Cork really drove at the Tipperary defence Anna Fahie and substitute Eva O’Dwyer got crucial second half points forcing Cork to go for goals. Cork thrown everything at Tipperary in the final minutes but were denied by a resolute Tipp defence with Lorna Ryan excellent throughout along with Orla O’Brien and Sophie Pembroke. Fiona Nelligan and Cliona Dooley both came close to goals but had to settle for points to leave the full time score 1-16 to 1-11 in favour of Tipperary. Both teams contributed to a very good contest with every ball keenly contested with a place in next Saturday’s Munster final versus Kerry up for grabs.

Tipperary: Laura Leenane, Lorna Ryan, Ciara Ryan, Tara Hoare, Orla O’Brien, Sophie Pembroke, Lily Fahie, Amy Quinlisk, Anna Fahie, Emma Flanagan, Jill-Anne Quirke, Ciara Brennan, Laura Shinners, Sinead Meagher, Jenny Grace. Subs used: Maria Connolly for Amy Quinlisk, Eva O’Dwyer for Laura Shinners, Gillian McKenna for Jill-Anne Quirke


Cork: Ciara Hurley, Aisling Egan, Caoimhe O’Donoghue, Grainne Hannon, Maedhbh de Burca, Aoife Barrett, Meadhbh ring, Olivia McAllen, Orla Keating, Eimear Duignan, Cliona Dooley, Fiona Nelligan, Niamh O’Regan, Emily O’Donoghue, Hannah O’Leary, Subs used: Edel Sheehan for Caoimhe O’Donoghue, Laura Buttimer for Meadhbh Ring, Amy O’Sullivan for Aisling Egan, Katie Walsh for Orla Keating, Ciara Morrison for Hannah O’Leary.