Tipp not disgraced by semi-final loss
FAVOURITES Cork began their TG4 Munster ladies football championship campaign with an expected semifinal win in Ardfinnan yesteraday, but were pushed all the way by senior newcomers Tipperary.
Tipperary had an unbeaten intermediate campaign last year and a successful Lidl Division 2 challenge in the spring, but some feared they were in for a disheartening reality check against Cork.
Those fears weren’t allayed as Cork had a goal before the first minute was played, Bríd O’Sullivan handpassing to the net to finish off a flowing move she started and involving Shauna Kelly, Libby Coppinger and Orla Finn.
However, Tipp responded in perfect style as Orla O’Dwyer latched onto the resulting kick-out, sent a long ball forward where Mairead Morrissey did well to control and find Aishling Moloney, who sent an unstoppable shot to the net.
Cork kept the pressure on for the remainder of the first-half, with O’Sullivan, Orlagh Farmer, and Coppinger all causing problems and taking scores. Hannah Looney converted a penalty awarded when Lauren Fitzpatrick brought down Libby Coppinger. By the interval it was 2-6 to 1-5 in the visitors’ favour.
The pace slackened somewhat after the break but Cork did enough to keep the scoreboard moving in their favour, team captain Ciara O’Sullivan along with sub Eimear Scally and centreforward Doireann O’Sullivan keeping Tipp at arm’s length, while Finn was as reliable as ever with the frees.
Cork: M O’Brien, C Collins, E Meaney, E Spillane, M O’Callaghan, M Duggan (A Kelleher 60), S Kelly, B O’Sullivan (E Scally HT), A Hutchings, C O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, O Farmer, E Scally, L Coppinger, O Finn.
Scorers: O Finn 0-4 (3f), B O’Sullivan 1-0, H Looney 1-0 (1-0 pen), C O’Sullivan 0-2, D O’Sullivan 0-2, E Scally 0-2, O Farmer 0-1, L Coppinger 0-1.
Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick, B Condon, M Curley, E Buckley (L Dillon 13), E Cronin, S Lambert, J Grant, C Condon (G O’Brien 42), O O’Dwyer, A Moloney, A McCarthy, AR Kennedy, M Morrissey, N Lonergan (K Davey 51), R Howard.
Scorers: A Moloney 1-2, A McCarthy 0-4 (3f), M Morrissey 0-2, R Howard 0-1, O O’Dwyer 0-1.
referee: S Mulvihill (Kerry).