On-fire Kelly inspires Tipp to avenge Cavan

CAMOGIE: Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Championship Group 1 Round 3

Cavan 1-9

Tipperary 3-14

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jean Kelly (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Cavan: Clodagh Keenaghan 0-9 (8 frees); Shanise Fitzsimmons 1-0.

Tipperary: Jean Kelly 3-4; Aoife McLoughney 0-4 (2 frees); Ellen Cunneen 0-2; Claire Stakelum, Clodagh Horgan, Caroline Shanahan, Saoirse McGrath 0-1 each.

Tipperary booked their place in the knockout stages of the All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship as they got the better of Cavan at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday.

David Sullivan’s charges now await this Saturday’s draw to see whether they progress straight to a semi-final on 22nd July or face a quarter final on 8th July.

Having lost to Cavan the group stage last year, this clash was predicted to be a tricky assignment once again for Tipperary but first half hat-trick from the in-form Jean Kelly meant Tipperary recorded a comfortable win.

With only three minutes gone, the Eire Og Annacarty star raised the first of her three green flags. It was the perfect start for Tipp who were guilty of a sluggish start in their opening game against Wicklow. Cavan soon settled though thanks to two frees from Clodagh Keenaghan to leave the score 1-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes.

But in the space of four minutes, Tipp were nine points ahead thanks to two more goals from Jean Kelly, bringing her tally to eight in just two games, with Cavan having no answer to her attacking pace. With seventeen minutes played, Tipperary looked in a very strong position, leading 3-2 to 0-2.

David Sullivan made five changes to his starting team from the win over Wicklow including Rachel Maher who started wing back where she had a great game. The experienced Aoife McLoughney also came in from the start at corner forward and finished with four points, two from play.

Two more Clodagh Keenaghan pointed frees was followed by a well-worked Shanise Fitzsimmons goal in the 23rd minute to narrow Tipp’s lead which was six points at the break, 3-5 to 1-5.

In the second half, Tipperary continued to enjoy the better share of the spoils outscoring Cavan 0-9 to 0-4. The Tipp forward play was impressive, and the scores seemed to come that bit easier while Cavan were reliant on pointed frees from the excellent free-taking of Clodagh Keenaghan.

Clodagh Horgan, Claire Stakelum and Ellen Cunneen all registered points while Caroline Shanahan and Saoirse McGrath both pointed when introduced.

It was a very satisfying result for the Tipp management and players as they extend their unbeaten run to six matches across league, Munster championship and now two wins from two in the All-Ireland series.

With all group games completed, Tipperary, Armagh and Clare go into Saturday’s draw as group winners with Cavan, Limerick, and Roscommon as runners-up.

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien (Cashel King Cormacs); Ciara Ryan (Silvermines), Aisling Sheedy (Portroe), Lisa Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Rachel Maher (Nenagh Eire Og), Ciannait Walsh (Eire Og Annacarty), Ciara McKeogh (Burgess/Duharra); Katie Fitzgerald (Borris-Ileigh), Ellen Cunneen (Silvermines); Claire Stakelum (Holycross/Ballycahill), Ciara Brennan (St Cillian’s), Aoife Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields); Jean Kelly (Eire Og Annacarty), Clodagh Horgan (Boherlahan-Dualla), Aoife McLoughney (Shannon Rovers).

Subs used: Caroline Shanahan (Toomevara), Saoirse McGrath (Newport/Ballinahinch), Eimear Myles (Brian Borus), Nessa Murray (Silvermines), Eimear Murphy (Silvermines).