Eir All-Ireland U16 A Championship – Round 1

Tipperary 2-20

Waterford 1-05

Referee: Joseph Mullins

POTM: Lily Ivors

A dominant second-half performance saw Tipperary record a comprehensive 2-20 to 1-5 victory over Waterford in the opening round of the Eir All-Ireland Under-16A Championship. Coming into the game as favourites following their recent Munster final success, Tipperary were nonetheless tested early on by a physical Waterford side.

Tipperary made a strong start and opened up a three-point lead through some well-worked early scores, but Waterford responded through the influential Aisling Counihan before Sophie McCarthy struck for a goal on the 13th minute to edge the Déise in front, 1-1 to 0-3. The response from Tipperary was immediate, levelling the game four minutes later before Maria Groome’s effort for a point dropped under the crossbar for a fortuitous goal to restore the lead at 1-4 to 1-1 — an advantage they would not relinquish thereafter.

Waterford failed to build on their 13^th minute goal and did not register another score for the remainder of the half as Tipperary tightened up defensively and began to dominate around the middle third, where Aoife O’Donnell was particularly impressive. Molly Jones and Maria Groome worked tirelessly in the half-forward line, while inside forwards Saili O’Connor and Lily Ivors were sharp and clinical. Ivors struck four points from play and added a free before the break, with O’Connor contributing two points from play, as Tipperary moved into a commanding 1-8 to 1-1 half-time lead.

Tipperary continued to control proceedings on the resumption, with Lily Ivors and Maria Groome adding further excellent scores. In defence, Gráinne Troy and Evie Ahern were outstanding throughout, while Caoimhe Kennedy also impressed. Groome’s brilliantly taken second goal of the afternoon in the 38th minute stretched the lead to ten points at 2-9 to 1-2, effectively putting the contest beyond Waterford’s reach.

While Waterford battled gamely throughout, they found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities against a resolute and well-organised Tipperary defence. The Tipperary bench also made a significant impact, with LucyAnne Cleary firing over three excellent points, Mae Kennedy adding two, and Lucy Lee also getting on the scoresheet. Their combined contribution helped push the margin further clear as Tipperary powered to an emphatic 2-20 to 1-5 victory, with Waterford’s second-half scores coming from Aisling Counihan, Katie Mullane and Maisie Roche who impressed on her introduction. Next up for Tipperary is a home game against Limerick on the 22^nd February.

Tipperary: Sinead Delaney, Grainne Troy, Katelyn Creedon, Tara Maher, Kate Duffy, Evie Ahern, Taylor Corbett, Caoimhe Kennedy, Aoife O'Donnell (0-01), Melanie Flannery, Molly Jones, Maria Groome (2-02), Olivia Looby, Saili O'Connor(0-02), Lily Ivors (0-09, 4 frees)

Subs used: Elin Brennan, Ashling Cully, Lorna Ryan, Lucy Lee, LucyAnn Cleary, Mae Kennedy, Meabh Lonergan, Rona O’Connor

Waterford: Tianna Barrett, Rachel O’Donovan, Sophie Carroll Lawler, Heather Power, Trudie O’Reilly, Amy Beresford, Becky Sheridan, Laura Beresford, Aine Desmond, Lily Codd, Katie Mullane(0-02 frees), Doireann Power, Aisling Counihan (0-02), Sophie McCarthy(1-0), Lauren O’Connor

Subs used: Mairi Phelan, Maisie Roche (0-01), Liadian McGrath, Hollie Cahill, Niamh Woods

Munster U16 B Shield Final 

Tipperary 2-15

Clare 1-07

Tipperary’s Under-16 B side were crowned Munster Shield champions on Sunday evening following a fine victory over Clare.

There was little to separate the teams in the early exchanges, with both sides trading points throughout a closely contested opening quarter. By the 19th minute, Tipperary held a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 advantage and they went on to add the next two points to stretch their lead.

A crucial goal from Katie Bergen on the stroke of half-time proved a significant boost for Tipp, and they added a further point soon after to go in at the break in a strong position, leading 1-7 to 0-3.

Nadine Guinan contributed four points from placed balls, including a 45, while April Burke was impressive in the full-forward line with three points from play. Anna Lanigan also chipped in with a point. Clare’s first-half scores came courtesy of Cliona Millea, Croidhe Murray, and a free from Darcey Ryan.

Clare had the opening score of the second half thanks to Lucy Watson. Tipp responded with 3 unanswered points through Ella Groome, Nadine Guinan and Aisling Coffey to make it 1-10 to 4 points 10 minutes into the second half. Clare hit back with a goal 3 mins later to reduce the deficit but immediately Tipperary responded with points from Aisling Coffey and Katie Bergin. Scores came easier for this well drilled Tipp team and when Lily Brennan raised a green flag on the 57^th minute they led 2-13 to 1-07. Two more points from Nadine Guinan completed the scoring and an impressive team display.

Tipperary: Hannah Quirke, Caragh Cooney, Saoirse Maher, Cara White, Amy Hackett, Olive Spillane Leane, Emily Fanning, Cara Butler, Maeve Lonergan, Katie Bergin(1-01), Nadine Guinan(0-07, 5 frees, 1 45m), Ella Groome (0-01), Anna Lanigan(0-01), Sasha O’Keefe, April Bourke (0-03)

Subs: Lara Shanahan, Lucy Higgins, Aisling Coffey (0-02), Lily Brennan (1-0), Nevaeh Tiernan, Georgia Kerton, Annie Flynn, Sarah Gleeson, Ella O’Donnell

Clare: Liagh Duddy, Sarah Conlon, Mairead McNamara, Cait McCarthy, Eva Wynne, Chroia Casey, Anna Donnella, Ashling Kelly, Hannah Murphy, Brooke O’Connell, Lucy Watson, Cliona Millea, Darcey Ryan, Amy Collins, Criodhe Murray