More silverware for Tipp Camogie as Intermediates claim Munster glory

Tipperary inflicted a third successive Munster Intermediate Camogie final defeat on Kerry on Saturday as the Premier scored two goals entering the final ten minutes that secured their victory.

CAMOGIE: Munster Intermediate Championship Final

Tipperary2-9

Kerry 0-9

Report: Mortimer Murphy in Ballyagran

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jenny Grace (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Jenny Grace 0-6 (5 frees); Laura Leenane (pen), Eva O’Dwyer 1-0 each; Amy Quinlisk, Jill-Anne Quirke, Sinead Meagher 0-1 each.

Kerry: Jackie Horgan 0-8 (6 frees, 1 45); Sara Murphy 0-1 free.

Despite the dull weather the rain thankfully managed to stay away as Tipp won this event for the first time since 2021.

Overall Tipperary were the better side, but Kerry were stubborn and tenacious at the back, and they kept tabs on Tipperary’s dangerous attackers until the final ten minutes when a two goal salvo allowed the Tipp girls claim the win.

Kerry lack of scoring ability from play despite a lot of good approach work was another factor that cost the Kingdom and the fact they were over reliant on Jack Horgan from placed balls was always something that helped Tipperary.

Kerry only managed one score from play but Tipperary though they had a better scoring spread had to rely on a goal from a penalty to get over the line plus the second Tipperary goal was a gift, but they all count.

Tipperary got off to a flying start and registered the first three points with Jenny Grace scoring all three (two frees) to give the Premier girls the early advantage. Kerry did not score until the sixteenth minute through a Sara Murphy free, but Jackie Horgan found her range soon after in firing Kerry ahead on the scoreboard, one of her scores an impressive 65 metre free.

The Kerry girls turned things around to lead 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time and Tipperary were labouring up front to penetrate the Kingdom defence. Tipperary would not have been happy at the break considering the start they made but Kerry’s Caoimhe Spillane was making a nuisance of herself around midfield.

Tipperary needed to get going in the second half and Jenny Grace soon levelled matters on the scoreboard soon after the restart. Even though Horgan put Kerry ahead again in the 35th minute, a point from midfielder Amy Quinlisk that put Tipp back in front at 0-8 to 0-7 signalled a bit more variety in their play as Jill Anne Quirke was another to score from play. Sophie Pembroke was impressive throughout for the victors as the two scores that decided the contest came in quick succession.

Tipp wing forward Emma Flanagan was fouled for a penalty which goalkeeper Laura Leenane came forward to take. She powered her shot into the net to put Tipp 1-9 to 0-8 in front, and two minutes later substitute Eva O’Dwyer was left with a simple tasking of kicking the ball to the net for their second goal. It came after Kerry failed to deal with a free that flew past a number of their defenders and went straight into O’Dwyer’s path as she had an empty net in front of her.

Horgan’s eighth point was Kerry’s final score in the 53rd minute as although they had a number of half chances to make amends in the closing stages, Tipp defended strongly to hold on for their six-point win.

The absence of Patrice Diggin for Kerry was self-evident on the day as she continues to deal with an injury from last year. Her scoring accuracy on the day led to Jenny Grace receiving the official Player of the Game award as there won’t be much time for either side to dwell on proceedings as the All-Ireland Championship begins for both next weekend in two different grades.

Kerry host Antrim in their first game in the All-Ireland campaign next weekend at Intermediate level while at Junior level, Tipp will also play host to northern opposition in the form of Down at the Ragg.

TEAMS - Tipperary: Laura Leenane (Shannon Rovers); Lorna Ryan (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Ciara Ryan (Silvermines), Tara Hoare (Drom & Inch); Orla O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill), Sophie Pembroke (Gortnahoe/Glengoole), Lily Fahie (Cashel KC); Amy Quinlisk (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Anna Fahie (Cashel KC); Emma Flanagan (Moycarkey/Borris), Jill-Anne Quirke (Toomevara), Ciara Brennan (St Cillian’s); Laura Shinners (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Sinead Meagher (Kiladangan), Jenny Grace (Burgess/Duharra).

Subs: Eva O’Dwyer (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill) for Shinners (39); Maria Connolly (Drom & Inch) for Hoare (52).

Kerry: Aoife Fitzgerald; Rachel McCarthy, Niamh Leen, Michelle Costello; Aine O’Connor, Sara Murphy, Aoife Behan; Caoimhe Spillane, Ciara O’Sullivan; Ruth O’Connor, Kate Lynch, Ann Marie Leen; Amy O’Sullivan, Jackie Horgan, Norette Casey.

Subs: Amy McCarthy for Casey (44); Laura Collins for Lynch (44); Ellen O’Donoghue for O’Sullivan (49); Roisin Quinn for Behan (60 +2)

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick)