Tipperary Camogie Notes

Gala All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship
Tipperary 2.11 Galway 1.14
By Kieran Slattery, Tipperary County P.R.O.

Little did Joanne Ryan realise the importance of her third point from play when she calmly slotted over from 21yrds out on the wing in the 60th minute. This score gave Tipperary a 3 point lead going into  injury time in this vital game for Tipperary to qualify for an all Ireland Semi Final appearance. However, this cushion was drastically taken from Tipp when in the 3rd minute of injury time Galway got a penalty which gave them the goal they had chased all through the game & left the sides level, & when the final whistle was eventually sounded a collective sound of relief could be herd from the Tipp camp, as the draw was enough to guarantee the Premier girls their deserved place in the Semi Finals.

Tipp were out of the traps first with Claire Grogan registering her first from play in the 2nd minute. However, Galway got stuck in & at the 10 minute mark were 4 points to Tipp’s one, & even then Galway struck the crossbar, but Paula Ryan dealt with the resulting tussle.Tipp`s centre field started to get on top, & the half back line was superb with Mary Ryan having a masterful game at number 7 & her Moneygall club mate Julie Kirwin was making it equally difficult for Galway’s corner forward.Tipp responded well with three unanswered points all from play before the sides exchanged scores up to half time. Tipp’s first half goal came from a Cora Hennessy pass to Geraldine Stapleton who took on the defence & calmly hand passed past the Galway keeper. Tipp were up 1.03 to Galway’s 0.06 at this stage but the visitors responded with  a point & also struck a well taken point from  a side line ball. Tipp were able to keep the 2 point gap between the teams & went in at half time 1.06 to Galway’s 0.07.
An interesting fact about the first half was that apart from the line ball, all scores from both sides were from play, an indication of the work rate from both teams.
Both teams emerged unchanged in the second half but Galway were quick to clear the half time deficit, when after 2 minutes the sides were level. Philly Fogarty made a run at Galway & restored Tipp’s one point advantage with a well taken score. Claire Grogan & Cora Hennessy took a point each from play before Galway got one back . All the time Tipp were able to keep the two point gap between them & when Emily Hayden picked up a pass from Claire Grogan who split the Galway defence with a direct run, Emily found the net for Tipp’s second goal. Throughout the day Emily worked tirelessly in full forward, & when she got the ball delivered she was able to hold possession & set up the Tipp attack. At this stage the Premier girls were 4 points up but Galway were doing most of the attacking, but as in other games the Tipp defence were superb. Paula Ryan timed her interceptions superbly, while Suzanne Kelly did the simple things right & launched many attacks for Tipp from corner back.
Emily Hayden once again popped up for a point & was unlucky to be denied another goal when she forced the Galway goalie to pull off a great save. Going into the 60th minute Tipp were holding on to that 3 point lead but a decision against The Tipp defence for a penalty gave Galway the goal they needed to level.
Once again, Joanne Ryan in centre field was superb throughout, & the calm way she took Tipp’s last point was a sign of how much a great player she is. Another positive factor about this game was that six Tipp players got on the scoreboard, all from play. Cora Hennessy probably had one of her best games in the Tipp jersey. The unselfish play from all the team helped open Galway’s defence & if the full forward line can be on hand to hassle the opposition goalie more, then there is no reason not to expect more goals from this line.
Incidentally, the fact that Tipp secured a point from this game automatically knocked Kilkenny out of the competition, much to the dismay of the many Kilkenny supporters who had stayed on to watch this game after their own U16`s claimed a third All Ireland in a row at Cork’s expense when they played earlier in Thurles.
The Gala All Ireland Senior amogie Championship Semi Finals will take place in Nowlan Park Kilkenny as a double header on Saturday August 16th when Tipp will play Cork & Galway & Wexford will do battle. Times are not yet decided.
Tipperary; Paula Ryan, Suzanne Kelly, Mairead Luttrell, Julie Kirwin, Paula Bulfin, Tishy O Halloran, Mary Ryan, Joanne Ryan(0.03), Siobhan Ryan,Cora Hennessy(0.02), Philly Fogarty(0.01), Claire Grogan (0.03), Geraldine Kinnane(1.00), Emily Hayden(1.02), Mairead Morrissey. Subs used; Michelle Shortt
Referee; Una Carney, Armagh

Camogie Notes;
Well done to all involved with the Tipp Senior Panel on making it to this year’s Championship Semi Final. This game will be played as a double header in Nowlan Park on Saturday August 16th with Cork providing the opposition.
Unfortunately for the Intermediate panel their campaign came to an end with a defeat to Galway earlier in the day in the Ragg. These girls gave it their all throughout the year for Tipperary Camogie & must be congratulated for their effort & commitment, as did the management team. Hopefully, some of these girls who wore the Blue & Gold will be able to step up to the Senior Grade in the next few years.

Next Saturday will see another big day for Tipperary Camogie when the hopes & wishes of the County rests with the U18s as they will take on Clare in the All Ireland Semi Final. It is hoped that this fixture can be played in the Gaelic Grounds but at the time of print no venue has been decided. Details will be available on the local radio stations. This panel has been training very hard & the commitment shown to Pat Moloughney & his selectors has been tremendous, so full support from all Tipperary G.AA/Camogie  followers is expected for these girls.

A lot of the club fixtures already sent out to  may now not go ahead because of the involvement of the Tipp Seniors & U18s in the latter stages of the All Ireland Championships. Clubs are urged to advertise in their own areas, any club fixtures they may be playing which will encourage support for the teams.

Once again, I will make the appeal for clubs to please get match results to the County P.R.O. Despite the numerous appeals made through the media & at County meetings, most clubs do not realise the importance of getting results printed. State secrets are easier to access at times! Nobody is benefiting from lack of information, so once again I appeal to teams, please TEXT THE RESULTS. Don’t assume the other team will do it, just get it done.

County P.R.O.; Kieran Slattery; 087- 7934071

e-mail (2 choices); tipperarypro@camogie.gaa.ie

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