By Kevin Egan, at Croke Park
The spectre of a second consecutive Glen Dimplex All-Ireland premier junior camogie final defeat loomed large for Tipperary yesterday as half-time approached with Laois 1-5 to 0-1 in front, having had by far the better of the opening 27 minutes of action.
Susie Delaney’s goal was the key score as the Midlanders dominated the opening exchanges, but three Jenny Grace frees before half-time shifted the game’s momentum, and according to team captain, Sinéad Meagher (pictured above), they weren’t going to be denied from then on and they edged it by 0-12 to 1-8 thanks to Grace’s injury-time point from a free.
“From the word go, Laois came at us and we found ourselves in a bit of a hole at half-time” Meagher said.
“But we kept the heads, we know exactly what we have in our team, we know the strength and the heart as well, and the subs that got us over the line in the finish.
“We stood up, we showed our character, like we showed in the Armagh game in the semi-final, and again today.
“We’ve beaten Laois by a point, and that’s all it takes to win a game. I’m absolutely delighted for myself, and for this man beside me Bill Mullaney, who all year has given us so much, and I’m so happy he has this now as well.”
The breeze did blow at Tipperary’s backs in the second half and there was no doubt that Laois expended a lot of energy in building up their lead, while Mullaney’s decision to introduce Lily and Anna Fahie late on bore fruit in the form of their combination for the equaliser, hit by the latter after being set up by the former, who was then fouled for Grace to slot the winner deep in injury time.
“At half-time we said we needed to up the work rate, to commit to our principles of play and to go out and produce. We could die on our feet or we could go home at half-time, one or the other, and I’m delighted that they came out flying,” was Mullaney’s summary.
“But that’s within these players. They just came out and worked hard, as you would expect in an All-Ireland final. It could have been a lot worse at half-time, but luckily, we got a foothold in the last five or six minutes. I thought in the end we deserved it; we were on top and going forward, we could have another one or two.
“A couple of adjustments in terms of subs had a huge impact, and a couple of adjustments around the field as well. But really it comes down to how the girls started believing in themselves, committing to the game, and committing to the process, that’s what turned the tide.”
Laois looked like they might have snatched victory with a heroic solo score from Delaney out on the Cusack Stand sideline, but Tipperary held firm, those dramatic concluding scores.
“I’m devastated” was the simple, but painfully honest summary of Laois joint manager Pat Collier.
“For me, tomorrow’s another day and life will go on. But it’s for the players, the 31 girls that have put Laois camogie back on the map, that’s what my heart goes out for. We knew that if we got our game plan right that we’d give Tipp a rattle and we did that.
“In the second half to be fair to Tipp, they clawed their way back, they got a few vital scores. I thought a decision or two could have went our way maybe, but that’s always the way when you lose I suppose.
“I’d die for these girls, I love every one of them with my heart. I told them there in the dressing room that I would do anything for any of them while there were under the care of me and Rob (Jones). It’s just heartbreaking for them.
“We’ve one girl who stayed home from Dubai, she’s flying out at ten tonight, she starts work in the morning at nine. The same as them all, 100% is all she gave us this year.”
But sometimes, destiny has other plans.
“Over the past few years my mam passed away and the one thing she really wanted me to do was to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand,” said Meagher.
“Once I was named captain, I was under no illusions that I wanted to make that happen and climb those steps. I’m so happy I’ve that done now.”
