Tipp have plenty of scope for improvement
By Shane Brophy
Semi-finals are all about winning and that was the aim for Tipperary in Saturday’s Munster Senior Camogie Championship semi-final against Waterford.
There is no link between the Munster championship and the All-Ireland Series in camogie but for Tipperary this is an important competition to build momentum for later in the summer.
It wasn’t a perfect display, Waterford enjoyed as much of the ball as Tipperary, but the Premier girls had lethal forwards, none more so than Cait Devane who returned to top form with 2-5. She remains vital to Tipp’s chances of making a breakthrough this year in terms of winning silverware.
It was a win of note considering that Waterford had accounted for Cork in the quarter final the week previous so to take down the Deise so comfortably is a result not to be taken lightly.
There were strong performances all over the field, from Julieanne Bourke at corner back who kept Niamh Rockett very quiet. Clodagh Quirke was strong at full back while Tipp’s half back line were dominant with Karen Kennedy a class act at centre back.
The return of Teresa Ryan to the panel this year has boosted the midfield sector as the Borris-Ileigh woman provides pace and energy that the Tipp team is still a little short of, particularly from midfield up.
Eimear McGrath had a strong game from placed balls while Grace O’Brien was always a threat close to goal but struggled to shake off the attentions of Kate Lynch. The bench also provided an impact with Niamh Treacy and young Grace Moloney in particular providing some needed energy in the closing stages.
It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means, rusty in spells which is to be expected as it was Tipp’s first competitive game in almost a month, but the games now come quickly with a Munster Final next Saturday against Clare, a side who were unbeaten in three games against Tipp in the championship last year.
However, Tipp easily beat the Banner in the league earlier this year, but championship is a different kettle of fish and while a Munster Final win won’t gain Tipp any advantage going into the All-Ireland Championship, winning a first piece silverware is always a milestone in any team’s development. You have to go back to the 2010 Munster Final for the last time Tipperary won any kind of senior silverware so a win over the Banner would be well overdue.