U16B Biddy Philips Cup 2024

With their u16b all-Ireland series completed, the unbeaten Tipperary side faced off against great rivals Galway in the inaugural Biddy Philips Cup. The late Biddy Philips was a great servant of Tipperary Camogie giving exceptional commitment to the county both on and off the field. She managed Tipperary to win their first ever senior All Ireland Camogie title in 1999 an achievement which stands alongside her wonderful service to her club, Tipperary Camogie Board, Munster Camogie Council and at national level. It’s truly great to have a cup in her name and honour. Thanks to our S & C Tipperary support Mark Holden “World of wellness” for kindly sponsoring the new cup. 

On Friday 26th July both teams came to the county camogie grounds looking for silverware and the pitch at the Ragg looked immaculate with flags up and scoreboard on for an evening throw-in. Proud captains for the day were Brid Quirke and Meabh Leahy with nearly 20 girls in total getting to captain their county this season.

Tipperary came out strong and showed great skill and direct running to rattle off the first three points from Rachel Heffernan , Niamh Manton and Sarah Williams. The midfield of Abi Kelly and Kaelinn Rossiter were working so hard and the full back line of Brid Quirke, Sinead Lonergan and Orla  Gleeson ensured that any ball that came down was won and another attack launched. In goals Ruby Kelly was very sound under dropping balls and delivered great puckouts. Lots of good Tipp attacks at this time came up the right where Sarah Rochford , Mary Kate Ely and Grace Flanagan combined well. After 15 mins the planned subs brought great energy as Ciara Crofton and Eibhlin Bourke won great ball and drove the team on. Emma Kiely scored 2 great points as Tipp really started taking on their Galway counterparts. Galway got their first score after 27 minutes. Niamh Manton rattled the crossbar after one attack and then followed with 2 great goals as Galway steadied with another point before half time. 

Half time score: Tipperary 2-6; Galway 0-2

Tipp had faced this strong Galway side already this season and needed to keep the momentum of first half going. More subs came on and our half back line of Emma Costello and Emily McGrath hoovered up great ball to keep supplying our forwards. Aoibhinn Maher was a constant threat in attack and was deadly over frees scoring 0-4 in the second half. Galway started to push up the field without a sweeper and scored some lovely points but full back line of Jenna Hackett ,Sinead Lonergan and keeper Meabh Leahy ensured no goals to give oxygen to a Galway comeback in one of the girls best team performances of the season. A lovely goal for Molly Carr set up by Sarah Williams gave Tipp the extra breathing room to enjoy the final few minutes as all girls got their 50% game time as per all our games. 

Final score : Tipperary 3-11 ; Galway 0-6

Our joint captains accepted the new Biddy Philips cup with great joy. In their speeches they thanked the ref TP, Tipp county board for their support along with sponsors Alpha Drives Ltd, the County Camogie Grounds caretaker, the Galway team for such a sporting contest, their management team of Sean , Paul, Julie, Yvonne, Mark and Niall, their parents and great supporters on the night and above all the 24 girls on the panel who have had such an amazing season together representing their county. Lots of photos with the Biddy Philips cup followed and they look forward to a medal presentation evening to celebrate their Munster shield victory and their cup win.