Blow to ladies’ league hopes in Tipp

5-10 2-10

FIVE first-half goals did the damage as Tipperary ran out nine-point winners in the topof-the-table clash in Division 3 of the Lidl National Football League last Saturday.

Despite out-scoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-5 in the second half Meath couldn’t close the gap sufficiently and they left a wet and windy Tipperary empty-handed.

The warning signs were there from the start and after just 70 seconds the home side had three chances for scores but failed to register on the scoreboard.

However, Tipperary soon found the target and had their first goal after only five minutes when midfielder Jennifer Grant broke through to find the corner of the net.

Aisling Moloney pointed for Tipperary before two quick-fire goals left the tie firmly in favour of the hosts. First Caoimhe Condron latched onto the end of a great move before smashing the ball into the net, and two minutes later Moloney found the net to leave her side 10 points clear.

St Patrick’s Emma White finally got Meath off the mark from the penalty spot following a foul on Niamh Gallogly which resulted in a yellow card for the Tipperary keeper.

Meath kicked three successive points after that, from Laura Gilsenan, Vikki Wall and Fiona O’Neill.

But once the hosts were restored to a full quota of players they regained the initiative, bagging further goals from Catherina Walsh and Maloney and they eventually led 5-5 to 1-5 at the break.

Tipperary also made the better start to the second half, out-scoring their opponents three points to one. Meath did improve as the half progressed but had to wait until the closing stages for their second goal, scored by substitute Joanna Byrne.