Tipperary are Munster Intermediate Champions

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May 21, 2024

Tipperary 2-09

Kerry 0-09


Tipperary were crowned Munster Intermediate champions on Saturday evening after a 2-09 to 9 point win over Kerry. Tipp came into the contest on the back of a semi-final win over Cork last weekend and had the better of the opening exchanges with Jenny Grace registering 3 unanswered points (2 frees). It took Kerry 16 minutes to get on the score sheet with a pointed free from centre back Sara Murphy. This settled Kerry and they soon got into their stride. With the momentum now in their favour and Caoimhe Spillane, Niamh Leen and Aoife Behan to the fore they raced into a 6 points to 4 lead at half time. All their points coming from Jackie Horgan who was flawless from frees. 


Tipperary came out a rejuvenated team in the second half. Buoyed by the half time team talk they drove at Kerry from the restart and were now first to every ball, winning all the rucks and moving the ball at pace. Soon the sides were level thanks to Jenny Grace. Horgan pointed in the 35th minute to put Kerry back in front but a great score from midfielder Amy Quinlisk had Tipp back in front. Sophie Pembroke grew more and more into the game and really impressed in the second half controlling the game from her number 6 berth. The defensive unit were very good throughout limiting the Kerry attack to a single point from play. Ciara Ryan had a great battle all day with Jackie Horgan while Lorna Ryan and Tara Hoare also stood out. 

In Orla O’Brien and Lily Fahie Tipp have 2 excellent half backs and they were instrumental in all of Tipp’s best passages of play. Up front Tipp had a better spread of scorers than Kerry with Jill-Anne Quirke and Sinead Meagher also registering points. However it was the 2 second half goals in the space of 2 minutes which proved the difference in the end.


Emma Flanagan was fouled for a penalty and up stepped Laura Leenane from her goals to bury the ball past the Kerry keeper. Two minutes later substitute Eva O’Dwyer got on the end of more Tipperary pressure up front and was on hand to kick the ball over the line to the delight of the Tipp supporters. Kerry continued to battle hard and Jackie Horgan pointed Kerry’s 9th point and her 8th after 53 minutes. With 6 points between the sides Kerry went in search of goals but the Tipperary defence stood strong and were never breached. After the game Jenny Grace was awarded player of the match while captain Sinead Meagher was presented with the winning trophy. It was a real satisfying win for Tipperary as they head into the opening round of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship this Saturday against Down at  2 pm in the County Camogie Grounds. Bill Mullaney’s side displayed huge determination and work rate and produced some excellent scores which all bodes well for the start of their championship campaign. 


TEAMS - Tipperary: Laura Leenane (1-0, pen) (Shannon Rovers); Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Ciara Ryan (Silvermines), Tara Hoare (Drom & Inch); Orla O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Sophie Pembroke (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Lily Fahie (Cashel KC); Amy Quinlisk (0-01) (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Anna Fahie (Cashel KC); Emma Flanagan (Moycarkey/Borris), Jill-Anne Quirke (0-01) (Toomevara), Ciara Brennan (St Cillian’s); Laura Shinners (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Sinead Meagher (0-01) (Kiladangan), Jenny Grace (Burgess/Duharra) (0-6, 5 frees)

Subs: Eva O’Dwyer (1-0) (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill) for Shinners (39); Maria Connolly (Drom & Inch) for Hoare (52).

Kerry: Aoife Fitzgerald; Rachel McCarthy, Niamh Leen, Michelle Costello; Aine O’Connor, Sara Murphy (0-01 free), Aoife Behan; Caoimhe Spillane, Ciara O’Sullivan; Ruth O’Connor, Kate Lynch, Ann Marie Leen; Amy O’Sullivan, Jackie Horgan (0-08, 6 frees, 1 45m), Norette Casey.

Subs: Amy McCarthy for Casey (44); Laura Collins for Lynch (44); Ellen O’Donoghue for O’Sullivan (49); Roisin Quinn for Behan (60 +2)

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)