Munster Minor B Cup Final

Tipperary 6-16

Clare 3-02

After falling short in their respective Munster Minor A semi-finals, Tipperary and Clare met in Bishopstown, Cork, on Monday to contest the Munster Minor B Cup final. Tipperary, with the wind at their backs in the opening half, made a blistering start, with Caoimhe Stakelum in fine form. She opened the scoring with a well-taken free before quickly adding a goal from play. Further points from Anna O’Brien, Elana McGrath, and another Stakelum free pushed Tipperary into a commanding 1-5 to no-score lead.

Stakelum continued to torment the Clare defence, adding another score before Clare finally opened their account with a goal from their corner forward Tara Moroney. Tipperary responded well, with Lucy O’Brien making a superb catch and setting up Stakelum for another point. However, Clare found a way through the Tipperary full-back line again, this time Ciara Punch raised a green flag to leave the score at 1-8 to 2-0.

Emma Kennedy, outstanding in midfield, delivered a pinpoint pass to Maeve Cunneen, who struck for Tipperary’s second goal to restore their advantage. A brilliant clearance by Sarah McLoughlin then led to Cuneen's second goal, making it 3-8 to 2-0. Stakelum added a free before continuing her excellent form with a surging run and another point. Lucy O’Brien then struck a fine long-range effort from 50 metres after a great delivery from Emma Kennedy, leaving the halftime score at 4-11 to 2-0 in Tipperary’s favour.

Tipperary maintained their momentum in the second half, with Stakelum converting another free. Clare responded with a point from Leah Kelly and a well-taken free, while Caoilfhionn Perill also added a score from play. However, Tipperary’s dominance continued as Maeve Cunneen completed her hat-trick, pushing the score to 5-12 to 3-2 with 16 minutes remaining. Clare’s third goal coming from substitute Aoibhinn Creaven.

Ava Gaynor made an instant impact after being introduced, winning a penalty, which Stakelum calmly dispatched to the net. Stakelum added two more points from play in the closing stages, sealing a commanding victory for Tipperary.

Tipperary:
Danielle Butler, Leah Maher, Molly Loughnane, Sarah English, Clodagh Grimes, Eva Ralph,  Sarah McLoughlin, Emma Kennedy, Issy Carr, Ciara Cahill, Lucy O’Brien(0-01), Isabelle Kingston, Elana McGrath (0-01), Caoimhe Stakelum (3-13, 0-08 frees, 0-02 45ms,1-0 penalty),  Maeve Cunneen (3-01),

Clare:
Nisha O’Neill, Caoimhe McNulty, Aine Rodgers, Caoilfhionn Perill(0-01), Aisling Hannan, Tara Murnane, Shauna Queally, Eabha O’Driscoll, Lucy Pearl, Jessie Hogan, Caoimhe Hegarty, Ciara Punch (1-0), Leah Kelly(0-01 free), Bronagh Brady, Tara Moroney (1-0)

Sub: Aoibhinn Creaven (1-0)